Postdoctoral Fellow in Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Vaccine Research

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Fellow in Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Vaccine Research

Department

Research | Jefferies | Michael Smith Laboratories | Faculty of Science (Wilfred Arthur Jefferies)

Posting End Date

May 23, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Apr 30, 2026

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position in immunology and vaccine research under the supervision of Dr Wilfred Jefferies. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing vaccines targeting infectious diseases and cancer.

Project:

The position focuses on advancing vaccine candidates through preclinical development. The project is part of a collaborative research initiative funded through the MITACS program and offers the fellow the chance to work closely with academic and industry experts from UBC and Eyam Health Inc.

Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity to join a highly innovative and interdisciplinary research environment across UBC and affiliated hospitals, with exposure to both academic and biotech sectors. Vancouver offers a vibrant research community and a high quality of life.

Candidate:

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with strong experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics, with a focus on infectious disease and cancer models. Candidates must have a PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Vaccine Research. The ideal candidate will have expertise in bacterial and viral infection models, including brain infections, as well as cancer models used in preclinical immunotherapy or vaccine studies. Candidates should be able to independently develop and apply molecular, cellular, and immunological assays to assess immune responses. This includes work in both in vitro systems and in vivo models using rodents or pigs. Experience with neuroinfections, CNS-targeting pathogens, and tumor models is highly desirable.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced molecular biology and cell biology techniques
• Bioinformatic analysis of immunological, genomic, and proteomic data
• Experience with flow cytometry, ELISA, immune cell activation assays, and immunoassays
• Protein expression, purification, and characterization
• Familiarity with mass spectrometry data analysis and immune database tools
• Previous work with antibodies, tetramers, and diagnostic assay development
• In vivo experience with rodents (mice, rats, hamsters) or pigs in infection, cancer, or vaccination studies
• Experience with bacterial and viral pathogens, models of brain infection, and cancer models

The expected pay for this position is $60,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and any awards secured.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter that details their experience and contact details for 3 references. Applications should be submitted to the UBC Careers portal no later than the posting date.

The appointment start date is flexible, with a target date of May 2025. The initial appointment is for 4 months, with expected extension up to two years, subject to performance and funding.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.