Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Human Health Therapeutics

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: 2 years

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements:

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

The program

The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers. Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $83,985. In addition PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.

Project title

Next-Generation Models for Brain Cancer: 3D Bioprinted CNS-on-Chip Systems for Advancing Glioblastoma Drug Discovery

The role

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and incurable brain tumor with limited treatment options and a median survival of less than two years. Progress in therapy development has been constrained by the lack of physiologically relevant in vitro models that accurately reflect the complexity of the tumor and vascular microenvironments, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), limiting their predictive power for therapeutic efficacy.

The postdoctoral fellow (PDF) will play a central role in addressing these limitations by combining 3D bioprinting and organ-on-chip technologies to develop advanced vascularized GBM models that recapitulate the cellular heterogeneity and architectural features of the tumor microenvironment. The candidate will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and optimizing 3D bioprinted constructs and microfluidic chips, integrating multiple human cell types to mimic tumor and vascular compartments, and characterizing tumor–BBB interactions using microscopy as well as molecular, and functional assays. The PDF will also evaluate therapeutic responses, including immunotherapies, under dynamic flow conditions to provide a more predictive and human-relevant assessment of treatment efficacy.

By providing a physiologically relevant model, this research introduces a transformative tool for studying GBM and testing therapeutic approaches. It will reduce reliance on animal models, accelerate translational research, and offer the postdoctoral fellow opportunities for leadership, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in bioengineering, oncology, and tissue engineering.

Education

Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biophysics or a closely related field.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Experience in 3D bioprinting, tissue and/or biomaterial engineering or related disciplines.

• Experience in developing 3D cell culture systems, such as spheroids, organoids, or 3D bioprinted tissue constructs.

• Experience in mammalian cell culture and BSL-2 laboratory practices.

• Experience in performing molecular, phenotypic, and functional assays and techniques to characterize in vitro cellular and/or tissue models.

• Experience in analyzing and interpreting complex datasets, including imaging, molecular, and quantitative biological data.

The following may be considered assets:

• Experience in microfluidics and organ-on-chip systems
• Experience in microfabrication techniques

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.

• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2023*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.

• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

• Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

Application requirements

To be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded.

• Resume

• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)

• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.

• List of Publications

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»

In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

Salary determination will be based on a thorough evaluation of the successful candidate's prior experience. This evaluation will consider specific achievements, skills, and contributions that demonstrate the candidate's impact and expertise. As a guide, the average starting rate for new PhD graduates entering this role is $83,985.

The NRC is committed to supporting career progression within the organization, providing access to the opportunities and resources needed for a pathway to a fulfilling career. NRC employees also enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC has been chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers.

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.

• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.

• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.

• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (24545) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 6134478528

Closing Date: Monday, 29 December 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time