Postdoctoral Researcher - Leukemia

The University Health Network, where "above all else the needs of patients come first", encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground breaking firsts and a purpose of "Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning", the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.

Union: Non -Union
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, UHN
Department: Cancer Biology & Imaging Program
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Work Model: Monday - Friday
Grade: V0:90
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $53,303 minimum, annually: To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy
Shifts: Monday - Friday
Status: Temporary Full Time (1-year, with option to extend and/or convert to permanent position)
Closing Date: December 31, 2024 (repost)

Position Summary

The DaCosta Research Lab at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) (http://dacostalab.ca/) is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our preclinical leukemia research team. The successful applicant will report directly to Dr. DaCosta. The successful applicant will be part of a group that uses intravital fluorescence microscopy imaging to study leukemia initiation, biology, propagation, and response to novel treatment strategies using advanced animal models of disease, for example within the mouse bone marrow. The successful applicant will also collaborate extensively with other leukemia labs across the University Health Network, as well as external collaborators. The position status is temporary full-time (1 year) with the potential to extend to permanent full-time based on the candidate's performance and compatibility with the research team and lab objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a clear career plan to become a principal investigator or independent scientist seeking an academic faculty position.

Primary Duties:

• Work closely with other PDFs in the DaCosta lab to help lead hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and leukemia-related research projects (including but not limited to, conceptualizing project aims, developing a projected timeline for experiments, preparing research updates, ensuring that there is communication and organization amongst members of the preclinical team through internal meetings)
• Intravital imaging of rodents using various techniques, including but not limited to widefield imaging, confocal and multi-photon microscopy, bioluminescent imaging (BLI), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Develop and conduct experiments evaluating new leukemia treatment strategies, such as immunotherapies, small-molecule inhibitors, transplantations, and radiation
• Produce timely and rigorously written scientific and other publications related to the research undertaken
• Conceive new research directions, build new projects, and participate in grant writing for the lab as necessary
• Troubleshoot, evaluate, and adjust protocols as necessary to improve data quality or in response to experimental needs
• Run molecular biology protocols, including but not limited to flow cytometry, ELISA, qPCR, and Western Blot
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of data generated
• Adhere to Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs to support the effective operation of the lab, and to maintain appropriate laboratory standards
• Take a leadership role with PI and other PDFs in the DaCosta lab to write competitive research grants related to lab projects
• Help foster new collaborations with relevant partners and maintain existing collaborations

• Completion of a doctoral degree (PhD) from a recognized and competitive institution
• Strong background (> 3 years) in hematologic cancer biology (specifically, HSCs and leukemia in the bone marrow microenvironment) and immunology, with a compelling peer-reviewed scientific publication record, is required
• Animal handling and microsurgery skills are required
• Strong familiarly with molecular and cellular laboratory techniques, e.g., cell culture, virus transduction, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, is required
• Experience with in vivo imaging techniques (intravital), particularly confocal and/or multi-photon optical microscopy is highly preferred
• Well-developed computer skills and/or the ability to learn new computer programs for analyzing imaging data (e.g. IMARIS, HALO, ImageJ are an asset)
• Ability to scientifically plan experiments and rigorously analyze data, and work collaboratively with various research partners
• Good statistical analysis knowledge is required
• Excellent problem recognition, critical thinking, organizational, detail-focused, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently, and as a team member in a collaborative manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including scientific writing skills, evidenced by publication record
• Ability to advise, guide and mentor students (e.g., summer/graduate students)

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.