Postdoctoral Associate, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

at  The University of Calgary

Description
Area: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Duration: Two years with potential for extension pending availability of funding
Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: $60,000 CAD/yr plus Benefits
The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The laboratory of Dr. Ana Nikolic is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral fellow for a two-year term with possible extension depending on funding availability. The goal of this project is to leverage emerging spatial biology approaches to improve our understanding of brain tumour state evolution, recurrence and treatment resistance. The candidate will have access to banked patient tissues, cryopreserved primary specimens, patient-derived cell cultures and xenograft mouse models from glioblastoma patients. We will apply novel techniques including spatial ATAC-seq and spatial multiomic assays to better understand these spatial niches and how they evolve over time.
Dr. Nikolic is an Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine departments and a member of the Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Although funding is available for a two-year period to support this position, the candidate will be encouraged to apply for external, peer-reviewed fellowships. The successful candidate will be enrolled in a comprehensive benefits program designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being in Postdoctoral Scholars through coverage for - health, dental, life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and income protection for disability.

The responsibilities of this position will include:

• Execute experiments using emerging spatial technologies (including ATAC-seq and spatial multiomics) on primary tissues, cortical slice models and xenograft mouse models of brain tumours
• Assist in development and implementation of novel functional tools for state tracking of dynamics in human glioblastoma models

• Analyze spatial and single-cell ATAC-seq and multiome dataPrepare manuscripts, abstracts and presentations

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants should have a PhD in molecular biology, epigenetics, neuroscience, or systems biology
• Experience with core molecular and cell biology techniques
• A detailed understanding of human molecular genetics and cancer biology
• A strong understanding of neuroscience is an asset
• An excellent record of peer-reviewed publications, with at least one first author publication
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills

In addition to the above, the candidate should ideally have:

• Experience with developing and performing experiments with xenograft models
• Prior experience with epigenetics techniques (ATAC-seq, CUT&Run, ChIP-seq)
• Experience with basic bioinformatics techniques (understanding of databases, basic sequence manipulation, basic R language skills)

• Execute experiments using emerging spatial technologies (including ATAC-seq and spatial multiomics) on primary tissues, cortical slice models and xenograft mouse models of brain tumours
• Assist in development and implementation of novel functional tools for state tracking of dynamics in human glioblastoma models
• Analyze spatial and single-cell ATAC-seq and multiome dataPrepare manuscripts, abstracts and presentation