Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Job ID

71437

Location

Hamilton General Hospital

Open Date

08/26/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

11/23/2025

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Surgery

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 12

Salary Range

$41.82 - $62.71 (hourly)

Contract Duration

18.3 Months

Hours per Week

35

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

JD #

JD00044

Pay Grade:

12

Title:

Research Scientist

Unit/Project Description:

For Department use only.

We are seeking a Research Scientist with a PhD and a strong background in cellular or molecular biology, metabolism, inflammation, or related fields. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and creative scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about impactful, clinically relevant research. You will lead and execute cutting-edge projects exploring the biology of adipose tissue in burn injury and trauma, helping to shape the future of metabolic and inflammatory care.

You will be a senior member of our interdisciplinary team, contributing to experimental design, data interpretation, manuscript writing, and the mentorship of trainees. This role also includes significant opportunities for career development, publication, and national/international collaboration.

About the Lab
Our translational research laboratory is dedicated to improving outcomes for severely injured patients by targeting the biological stress responses following trauma and burns. Our recent discoveries highlight a central role of adipose tissue — particularly its browning — in driving hypermetabolism and prolonged systemic inflammation after injury. These responses contribute to long-term morbidity in trauma survivors. Our overarching goal is to develop and translate novel therapeutic strategies to interrupt this pathophysiology and improve recovery and survival.

About the Department of Surgery

Over its 50+ year history, the McMaster Department of Surgery has maintained a steadfast commitment towards thinking big and making it possible. We are a Department with 11 surgical divisions and Royal College residency training programs; together, we are poised to unleash a future fueled by a creative mindset and powered by our people.

The successful candidate will bring a positive, solutions-focused mindset, as we collectively work towards achieving the Department Vision.

This Vision is based on 6 core tenets:

C.R.E.A.T.E.

Culture that includes

Researchthat impacts

Education that inspires

Advancement for all

Transformation through innovation & entrepreneurship

Excellence in patient care

About McMaster University

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain the talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual. McMaster is recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

Working at McMaster University brings a robust total rewards package, which is more than just a salary. The elements and structure of the total rewards packages vary by employee group but include:

• Employer Paid benefits including Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance;
• Pension Plan Options & Post-Retirement Benefits;
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities;
• Employee tuition assistance for development and education
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning;
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan

Please see Total Rewards Overview for Unifor, Local 5555, Unit 1 for more Information.

https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/unifor-unit-1-total-rewards-overview/

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing extensive, highly specialized knowledge to design, develop, manage and oversee research and contract projects. A sound understanding of the theory of a specialized field of science is applied and adapted to new research situations. Provides and applies specialized knowledge and scientific principles to initiate, design, develop, and manage independent research projects that contribute to the growth of a body of knowledge. Requires complex verbal interactions in another language for research collaborations with leaders in the field.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Design and develop experiments for research projects and contracts that require novel scientific techniques.

• Make significant contributions to the design of a research program to answer questions and solve complex research problems.

• Establish protocols and procedures of experiments.

• Develop unique hypotheses and develop new methodologies to gather and generate new data.

• Author scientific papers, funding proposals, and abstracts.

• Write research proposals, submit proposals to external funding agencies, and secure funding to conduct research through grants and contracts.

• Perform scientific and technical observations during experiments.

• Analyze the results of previous experiments using various analytical tools, and identify changes in the process parameters which can be implemented to improve the quality of results.

• Negotiate equipment purchase and service prices with vendors.

• Provide professional advice and consultation to external clients.

• Develop estimates of time and resources for a research program.

• Coordinate and manage the collection, delivery, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting of data.

• Review, critically appraise, and interpret published literature.

• Identify, recommend and incorporate new scientific approaches derived from scientific literature.

• Prepare papers for seminars, conferences, and public relations purposes.

• Present findings at seminars, conferences, and lab meetings.

• Provide training to research project staff.

• Provide demonstrations and workshops pertaining to lab procedures and protocols.

• Complete graphical work when developing column and scatter figures.

• Operate and maintain highly specialized lab equipment.

• Exchange scientific and technical information with colleagues in the field.

• Perform manual system calibrations.

• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.

• Oversee study organization, trouble-shooting and data analyses.

• Remain current with frequent developments and advancements in the field.

Supervision:

• Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 casual employees at any one time.

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in a related field.

• Requires 6 years of relevant experience

Assets:

For Department use only.

• Demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

• Strong technical expertise in cell culture, animal models, and/or molecular analysis.

• Proven leadership, organizational, and mentorship skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Motivated, curious, and collaborative mindset — essential for a translational research environment.

Additional Information:

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a high-impact, patient-centered research program with direct clinical relevance.

• Work in a supportive, inclusive lab that values curiosity, innovation, and teamwork.

• Collaborate with world-renowned experts in trauma, metabolism, and inflammation.

• Access state-of-the-art facilities and a robust research infrastructure.

• Contribute to discoveries that may translate into first-in-human therapies.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Mandate - FHS

This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.