Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department

Research | Marra | Michael Smith Laboratories | Faculty of Science (Marco Marra)

Posting End Date

February 6, 2025

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

Job End Date

Feb 28, 2026

The expected pay for this position is $55,000 to $60,000 per year

Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Using Novel Sequencing Technologies

The Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to join the Multi-omic Analysis of Treatment Resistance and Cancer Heterogeneity (MATCH) lab under the supervision of Dr. Marco Marra. The successful candidate will work on a project that uses novel sequencing technologies such as long-read sequencing and single-cell sequencing to study cancer datasets. They will join a dynamic team of researchers working towards the central goal of using next-generation genomics to improve lives of Canadians living with cancer.

The Technology

This project will involve the use of several novel sequencing technologies, specifically, long-read sequencing, short-read sequencing, and single-cell sequencing. Long-read sequencing generates sequencing reads averaging tens of thousands base pairs, enabling better mapping and resolution of complex structural variations and repetitive regions, with the added benefit of including all base modifications including DNA methylation. Single-cell sequencing uncovers cellular heterogeneity by profiling the individual cells, revealing insights into cancer heterogeneity and cell populations. Short-read sequencing provides accurate, high throughput data, ideal for identifying single nucleotide variants, expression profiling, and performing bulk analyses. Together, these technologies can be used to better resolve the complexities of cancer genomes: long-read sequencing informs large structural changes and epigenetic information, short-read sequencing ensures depth and variant accuracy, and single-cell sequencing deciphers cell-specific interactions, collectively transforming our understanding of the disease.

The Opportunity

The PDF will leverage novel sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis to explore the genomic and epigenomic alterations found in cancer, specifically virus-driven cancers. This will require integration of data from whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome analyses to investigate the epigenetic impact of large genomic changes on cancer genomes. The candidate may develop and implement bioinformatics tools and workflows to process and analyze multi-omics datasets, enabling insights into complex genomic changes. They will facilitate projects in collaboration with local and international scientists, clinicians, and public health researchers to make meaningful impacts to cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Genetics/Genomics, or a related discipline
• Proficiency with at least one of the following: long-read sequencing, short-read sequencing, and single-cell sequencing, including data generation and analysis
• Strong publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting findings at scientific conferences
• Proficiency in bioinformatics programming languages, such as Python, R, and Bash
• Extensive experience in multi-omics analysis, including whole-genome, transcriptome, and methylome sequencing
• Strong skills in developing, implementing, and optimizing bioinformatics workflows and tools
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and version control systems like Git
• Proven success working in multidisciplinary teams, contributing to collaborative research projects
• Familiarity with cancer genomics or viral genomics research is an asset.

The expected pay for this position is $55,000 to $60,000 per year. Salary is competitive, negotiable, commensurate with education and experience.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and contact details for 3 references to the UBC Careers portal at https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/details/Postdoctoral-Research-Fellow_JR19540-1 . Applications should be submitted no later than the posting end date.

The appointment will be for one year commencing March 1, 2025 with a possibility for extension, subject to satisfactory 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.