Postdoctoral Fellow (Diagnostic Development)

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified postdoctoral fellow who possesses relevant training in proteomics or molecular biology and interested in cancer biology to join the Diagnostic Development program. This is a 2-year contract with the potential to extend.

The successful candidate will join a highly dynamic and translational research program in biomarker discovery in various cancer types. The program aims to develop personalized medicine approaches that maximize the chance of positive outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer. The project will use clinical cohorts to examine the predictive and translational value of the tumour and the immune microenvironment on treatment. The aim of the project is to develop and perform spatial transcriptomic and proteomic profiling to identify and characterise targets and associated biomarkers for cancer treatment.

The MaRS Centre has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in place that requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a medical exemption issued pursuant to the Government of Ontario guidelines.  Accordingly, as a condition of employment, new employees who are required to work on-site are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 subject to the duty to accommodate on the basis of protected grounds pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all of the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date.

As described above, the requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for a reason protected by the Code, requests for accommodation from the vaccine policy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about working at OICR here

The project will focus on spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and imaging techniques using state-of-the-art techniques for biomarker detection in archival clinical samples.  The successful candidate will use cutting-edge molecular pathology techniques such multiplexed immunohistochemistry (Nanostring GeoMx DSP) advances in image analysis and machine learning and applying molecular techniques such as genomic and transcriptomic profiling in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. They will have demonstrated a solid understanding of biology and genomics, programming skills, and experience with high-throughput molecular sequencing technologies.

• Molecular biology approaches working with DNA, RNA, and proteins;
• Compiles experimental and analytical data, preparing presentations and publications;
• Perform multiplex in-situ based proteomics analysis in archival tissue;
• Apply bioinformatic tools for integrating results from different biological resources; and
• Authoring and co-authoring manuscripts submitted to high impact journals

• PhD in molecular biology or related field within the past four years;
• First author publications in peer reviewed journals;
• Experience in the integration of molecular profiling data including transcriptomic, proteomic, and genomic datasets, into a broader understanding of cell regulation within the tumor and interactions between the tumor, the tumor microenvironment and immune system
• Experience in statistics and bioinformatic data analysis using scripts and code (SPSS, R, etc) an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills; and
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.