Job Description

Position: Principal Research Associate, Protein Production
Site: MaRS Centre, Toronto
Department: Drug Discovery Program
Reports To: Senior Scientific Advisor
Salary: Commensurate with level of experience
Hours: 35 hours/week
Status: Permanent, Full-time The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Principal Research Associate to engage in research projects with the aim of discovery of modulators of activities of drug targets with our Drug Discovery Program. These projects involve production of a significant number of recombinant proteins. New employees who are required to work on-site are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 subject to the duty to accommodate on the basis of protected grounds pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code. Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all of the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date. As described above, the requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for a reason protected by the Code, requests for accommodation from the vaccine policy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page. The responsibilities include:

• Design and customize expression and purification approaches for each protein target according to assay and screening requirements
• Recombinant Protein Expression
• Protein Purification
• Protein production quality control, and troubleshooting
• Protein Characterization
• Prepare high quality written reports, and present scientific findings to the team
• Providing details of protein behavior in solution under requested conditions as needed
• Enter data into the relevant databases
• Create and maintain proper storage, distribution, resupply, and tracking systems for clones and proteins
• Work closely with medicinal chemists, and assay and screening teams towards development of potent and selective inhibitors or antagonists of interaction of drug targets
• Train students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians on any steps of the above-mentioned processes as needed
• Contribute to writing manuscripts for peer review publications
• Work effectively under pressure and tight timelines, and
• Adhere to all OICR safety guidelines and policies, strongly advocates safety to others

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Protein Biochemistry or related majors
• At least six years of bench experience with various expression and purification methods and approaches
• Highly skilled in purification of low expressing proteins, large protein complexes, and unstable proteins
• Experienced in maintaining a protein production platform
• Experienced working within drug discovery teams, yet be able to work independently
• Skilled in parallel protein purification methods
• Highly organized with ability to maximize efficiency of the protein purification processes
• Excellent recent publication record is an added value
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

OICR is a collaborative, not-for-profit research institute accelerating the development of new cancer research discoveries for patients around the world while maximizing the economic benefit of this research for the people of Ontario. We are dedicated professionals who bring expertise to each of our roles. We are looking for individuals who share our values of excellence, innovation, collaboration, impact, responsibility and community. Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. . CLOSING DATE: August 30, 2022 OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially. The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted. Resume Format: If you elect to apply, you will need a text or HTML version of your resume so that you can cut and paste it into the application box provided. Before you submit the completed application, you will be asked to attach one or two files to your application. Please attach your resume as a .pdf or .doc file.