Department Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Medical Microbiology and Immunology Dept

Salary range $63,972.00 to $88,539.48

Hours per week 35

Grade 10

Posted date September 22, 2025

Closing date September 29, 2025

Position Type Full Time - Trust Funded

Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is a research-intensive unit that pursues dynamic projects in the areas of bacteriology, immunology, and virology.

Our research foci include host-pathogen interactions, virus infection and replication, immune responses to pathogens, bacterial pathogenesis, as well as autoimmunity and cancer immunology.

Our research goals are to create and improve therapeutic agents, vaccines, and physiological interventions to improve health, and diminish or prevent disease.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will lead the development of a bioinformatics team that will support high level sequencing projects in the lab. The position requires a highly trained biologist with expertise in sample preparation for transcriptomics and analysis of bioinformatics datasets. Additionally, the successful candidate will have expertise in microscopy techniques required for spatial transcriptomics. In addition, the successful candidate will lead the optimization of high parameter imaging of tissues and human organoids.

Duties

• Design and execute sequencing-based experiments

  • Independently evaluate data, formulate a testable hypothesis, design sequencing-based experiments that directly test the validity of the hypothesis, interpret the data, and prepare the data for presentation in lab meetings, national and international meetings, and manuscripts in high-impact peer-reviewed journals

• Guidance and project management

  • Develop project goals and approaches through a thorough assessment of literature and consultation with experts and team members.
  • Train and collaborate with other lab members on experimental design, execution and analysis.
  • Present data to supervisor and collaborators.
  • Represent the research group at meetings and conferences.
  • Understand and ensure compliance of animal and human research projects regarding ethics requirements where applicable

• Experiments with animal and human tissues and cells

  • Makes independent decisions regarding the health and care of animal colonies based on advice from animal care staff, veterinarians, and the principal investigator.
  • Conducts animal experiments independently or assists other lab members following discussion and instruction by lab members and the principal investigator.
  • Conducts a variety of experimental procedures on animals including, but not limited to, injections, euthanasia, tissue sampling, and processing.
  • Assists in the training of new students with animal experiments.
  • Set up human spleen and tonsil organoid cultures for functional assays, imaging and transcriptional analyses.

Qualifications

• MSc in cell biology, developmental biology, or physiology required.
• Minimum of 7 years of research experience in a post-graduate research environment.
• Technical expertise in the following areas required: bioinformatics pipelines (in R and Python), transcriptomics, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and animal genetics.
• Experience with ethical animal care and use practices that meet or exceed the guidelines set by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
• Experience liaising with lab safety officers and Animal Care and Use Committees.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of high-quality research papers and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Previous experience with providing technical support for a lab is required.
• High-level expertise in animal genetics and development of transgenic and mutant lines.
• Experience with laboratory safety, biosafety level 2 biological hazards, and safe handling procedures.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight September 29, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.