Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Drug Development

Department Granville Laboratory | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Faculty of Medicine (David Granville)

Posting End Date September 30, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Oct 31, 2025

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, DRUG DEVELOPMENT

We are seeking an experienced, highly-motivated Postdoctoral Fellow with strong leadership ability and well-rounded, hands-on expertise in translational research with expertise in ischemia and reperfusion injury with interests in drug repurposing and entrepreneurship. The successful applicant will work full-time under the supervision of Dr. David Granville for a two-year term with the possibility of extension. The position start date is flexible.

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 prior to the start date will be required, per the provincial health mandate.

JOB SUMMARY:

Repurposing clinically-approved drugs for alternate indications is a proven strategy to accelerate the development and approval of new treatments. Through conventional and advanced \xe2\x80\x98omics approaches we have recently identified an off-patent drug and demonstrated efficacy in multiple models of ischemia and reperfusion injury (eg. cardiac (MI/transplant), spinal cord perfusion injury, skin (pressure injury and thermal injury). Administration of the clinically-approved drug prevented superoxide generation, increased nitic oxide bioavailability, improved tissue perfusion, reduced inflammation and accelerated healing in models of cardiac, spinal cord and skin injury. Our research program spans basic molecular biology, biochemistry, and proteomics through to target validation, proof-of-concept in animal and human models, and collaborations with clinicians and industry. The Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) will be responsible for conceiving, designing, and implementing pre-clinical studies to advance the development and novel formulations of this drug as well as playing a key role in intellectual property and commercialization. The position will provide a unique opportunity to join a CIHR-funded translational academic research lab, lead pre-clinical studies, gain entrepreneurial training, and collaborate with industry and leading academic collaborators at UBC and abroad.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS:

The PDF will be employed by the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. The Granville Laboratory is located within the International Collaboration for Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute ( ) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The candidate will report to Dr. Granville directly and will play a senior leadership role in the laboratory that includes overseeing the research activities of graduate students, undergraduate students, and technicians. More information on the Granville Laboratory can be found at .

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC is a hybrid, academically intensive Department within the UBC Faculty of Medicine whose activities span a broad spectrum of teaching, research, and academic service, often performed in the milieu of clinical practice, and are ultimately devoted to improving the care, treatment, and well-being of patients. The Department offers academic degrees at the bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)) and graduate (MSc, PhD) levels with the graduate program, one of the largest in the Faculty of Medicine, which has been recognized by UBC for its quality. The Department plays a major role in the MD undergraduate program and offers an accredited residency-training program. Faculty members participate across a spectrum of research from basic investigative to translational to clinical applied research and are recognized locally, nationally and internationally for their excellence.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction pertaining to the working with collaborators to assess novel formulations for topical and systemic applications
• Design and implement research plans, including in vitro and in vivo models
• If successful, play a key role in leading the establishment of a new UBC spin-off company working with programs offered through UBC and potentially SFU.
• Foster research collaborations and work jointly with academic, clinical, industry, and other partners
• Scientifically document lab experiments, data analysis, interpretations
• Write manuscripts, present results at internal and external meetings
• Identify funding opportunities as well as write grant proposals with supervisor as a co-applicant
• Lead and mentor junior trainees in the laboratory

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR:

This is a senior research position that plays a critical role in the development of this novel field. The PDF is accountable for the quality and integrity of the research and data, including analyses and interpretation, as well as the effective and efficient management of research projects and deliverables. This position requires innovation, strategic planning, and adaptability. Incorrect decisions or actions may damage the reputation of the laboratory, lead to loss of credibility in this field, and be financially costly.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

The PDF will work with a high degree of independence and set priorities under broad directives from Dr. Granville. This position will also provide the candidate with professional development opportunities as well as a high level of exposure to translation, commercialization, and industry.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

The PDF will be expected to provide direction and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students under the supervision of Dr. Granville.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD with expertise in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or related disciplines
• A proven track record with a minimum of 2-3 first author publications in reputable journals
• Expertise in molecular biology is essential while previous experience in drug development, animal models of disease, entrepreneurship is an asset
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design, analyses and scientific writing
• Previous experience in manuscript/proposal writing is an asset
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and CV in 1 PDF file to Dr. Karen Jung PhD at . The position will remain open until filled.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community.

University of British Columbia