Job Description

Date Posted: 06/01/2023
Req ID:31100
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Dentistry
Department: Faculty of Dentistry
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Description: Description:
About us: Exciting new advances and global challenges are radically reshaping the field of dentistry. Our vision at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto is to not just address and respond to these changes \xe2\x80\x93 but to thoughtfully and conscientiously shape the field of the future.

With our robust and comprehensive educational training programs (DDS, MSc, PhD degrees, IDAPP and other specialty programs), our emphasis on community outreach and care, and our internationally known and interdisciplinary research mission, the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto continues to earn its reputation as one of the top dental schools in North America. Throughout more than 145 years of dental education - the oldest, largest and most comprehensive training program in Canada - we have striven to graduate the highest quality of students while providing the public the highest standards of care.

We are driving by our vision to improve health by advancing dentistry through inspired leadership, innovation, and excellence in education, research and practice.
Your Opportunity: Professor Christopher McCulloch, in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto invites applications for a position of Research Associate (Limited Term) in \xe2\x80\x9cThe role of extracellular vimentin (ECV) in a complex comprised of specific cell-surface receptors that activate ERK to promote collagen degradation\xe2\x80\x9d project. This position is funded by a grant from Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The incumbent is an enthusiastic, highly motivated, organized individual with exceptional interpersonal skills who will be highly proficient at conducting a focussed research program in a stimulating academic environment. The candidate will examine the relationship between the degradation of periodontal connective tissues that involve vimentin secretion mechanisms and binding of extracellular vimentin at inflammatory sites. The laboratory focuses on the role of extracellular vimentin (ECV) in a complex comprised of specific cell-surface receptors that activate signaling to promote collagen degradation. The goals of the laboratory are to identify key signaling pathways for the ECV-cytokine pro-inflammatory feed-forward loop, which underlie chronic inflammation and periodontitis. The successful candidate will translate new insights into identifying new drug targets for improved patient outcomes in periodontal health.
Dr. McCulloch\xe2\x80\x99s laboratory is described here: https://discover.research.utoronto.ca/5769-christopher-mcculloch
Your responsibilities include:

• Conducts research in soft tissue inflammation under the direction of Dr. Christopher A. McCulloch.
• Carries out independent research projects within the group and uses specialized expertise in the field of extracellular matrix remodeling and soft tissue inflammation to contribute to highly networked team projects and to collaborate with existing team members
• The Research Associate is responsible for the day-to-day functions within the laboratory to ensure that project milestones are achieved on time and performed with respect to current University standards of training, documentation, and instrumentation.
• Provides direction within the research group on technical matters and remains current on the research of current principles and theories. Uses previous experience to mentor students and other lab staff in research conduct and protocols. Coordinates lab activities and synergizes with other lab managers.
• Provides integration of activities with collaborating biochemistry groups in Poland and USA.
• Coordinates integration and planning of joint research activities with researchers in other universities (e.g., Penn, Syracuse) and demonstrates an ability to organize trans-border meetings, research visits, and detailed research plans.
• Promotes good communication and teamwork to ensure flexibility in the workplace and cooperation with scientists in the Faculty of Dentistry and other, external researchers.
• Develops and presents material for publication of peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts using clearly written language. Relies on demonstrated of graphical communications skills to effectively express complex scientific concepts.
• Communicates research project findings through research seminars and conferences.
• Organizes, coordinates, and moderates webinars and seminars promoting fibrosis research field and outcome.
• Assists with drafting of grant proposals, grant budgets, and submissions
• Provides direction and oversight to research staff and/or trainees on technical matters. Should demonstrate ability to instruct, supervise and manage young research trainees from a broad array of backgrounds and to work with trainees who do not necessarily have the required expertise to perform the expected research
• Supervise students at all stages, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Works with trainees to encourage independent study and assist them with data analysis and research presentations.
• Provides BL2 and laboratory biosafety training, their reports, and documentation.
• Develops guidelines, procedures, and standards (SOP).

Essential Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biological sciences or molecular biology and with a minimum of four years of post-doctoral training
• In-depth knowledge in cytoskeletal protein biochemistry, structure, and intracellular and/or extracellular functions.
• Minimum of three years of experience in recombinant cytoskeletal protein expression and purification with an NGC Chromatography System.
• Detailed experience with confocal imaging (Zeiss LSM880, Leica SP8), high-resolution microscopy (STED), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and widefield microscopy.
• Advanced research experience in biochemical techniques including western blot, dot blot, IP, and mass spectrometry.
• Practical experience in conducting flow cytometry analyses. Direct experience with research using the Sony SA3800 Spectral Analyzer is preferred.
• Design and execute experiments to characterize tissue destruction in chronic inflammation driven by cytoskeletal proteins.
• Develop, improve, and optimize various SOPs and study protocols to support projects of lab members and external collaborators by providing detailed information.
• Ability to transfer knowledge about methods to other internal or external partners and support the collaboration through timely result analysis.
• Communicate analytical results to peers and leadership to support decision-making and collaborating with development teams to support goals and timelines.
• Develop and write-up complex, detailed documentation for new and current procedures, validation of protocols, and technical reports incorporating appropriate use of statistics. Collectively, these skills should provide careful and complete quantitative analyses.
• Excellent communication, fluent reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English and Polish (required).
• Troubleshoot technical issues during method development and optimization.
• Identify potential problems and proactively suggests technical solutions based upon analytical expertise and knowledge of product/process.
• Minimum seven years of academic teaching experience.
• Experience in working with trainees to encourage their independent study and to assist them with data analysis and research presentations.
• Solve assay/process problems.

This opportunity of Research Associate (Limited Term) is a 3-year term appointment, with the possibility of extension.
Closing Date: 06/16/2023,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 - Research Associates (Limited Term): $47,287 - $88,663
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching