Research Scientist

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title
Research Scientist

Department
Kobor Laboratory tendersglobal.net Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics tendersglobal.net Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$5,209.17 – $7,485.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
March 29, 2024

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

Job End Date

Jun 2, 2025

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The Kobor Lab is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual to work as a research scientist on various projects related to understanding the causes and consequences of variation in epigenetic marks across human populations, and using animal-based model studies. The successful applicant will be responsible for leading and contributing to a number of existing funded projects. These include population cohort studies that focus on the genomic embedding of early-life experiences in relationship to development and health across the lifespan, as well as cell-based simulation studies examining molecular marks associated with exposure to environmental factors. This work involves the generation and acquisition of high-dimension datasets for genotyping, DNA methylation, chromatin conformation and mRNA expression and their integrative analysis with phenotype and environmental exposures.

The ideal applicant will possess a curiosity and passion for science, a talent for independent and team-based research, knowledge of statistical genomics and/or epigenetics / gene regulation, and extensive experience with high-throughput data generation and bioinformatics.

Organizational Status
This position reports to the lead Principal Investigator Dr. Michael Kobor (Medical Genetics), and works in conjunction with other investigators and research personnel within the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI). The position may provide occasional training and supervision of technicians and students, and interact with local, national, and international collaborators on a regular basis.
Work Performed

• Designs, performs, and evaluates data quality of bench-based high-throughput microarrays (DNA methylation, genome-wide SNP typing) studies
• Consults with collaborators for best-practices with sample collections and preparations to ensure success of array-based experiments
• Reviews current literature to propose, develop, and establish next-generation sequencing-based studies (RRBS, ATAC-Seq, RNA-Seq, single cell) pertinent to epigenomic analyses using advanced technologies
• Performs statistical and bioinformatics analyses of high-throughput epigenomics, genotyping, and sequencing data to facilitate the interpretation of associations between molecular data with environment, stress and disease in humans and cell-based studies
• Collaborates actively with others across the CMMT, UBC, and BCCRHI to problem solve and provide clarity on the application of bioinformatics approaches to understanding epigenetics, from molecular analysis in model organisms to population-scale studies of human epigenetic variation
• Participates in planning and execution of research projects, alone and in teams
• Participates in meetings and phone/video conferences as project lead for multiple collaborations with local, national, and international groups on diverse projects related to children’s mental and physical health, and works with academics, clinical and community practitioners, and other professionals from multiple disciplines
• Presents results to collaborators and the broader scientific community
• Contributes to ongoing strategic planning for the ongoing bioinformatics analysis needs of the lab; works with principal investigator to identify funding opportunities; develops ideas into grant proposals
• Contributes to writing scientific manuscripts
• Updates Dr. Kobor and the group on the status of projects during lab meetings, in email correspondence and phone/video conferences
• Performs other administrative and related duties in the lab

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The incumbent will make important decisions affecting the productivity of the lab. Poor judgment could result in loss of experimental data and delay in conducting research, which could impact collaborations, publications, and future funding. Studies may be jeopardized if not conducted according to ethical requirements as laid out by the University and by regulatory authorities. Study files must be kept secured to ensure that patient confidentiality is not compromised. An error within the realm of a research study may result in biased or incomplete data and skewed study results. Errors made and poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of the Principal Investigator, the School, and the University and could lead to incorrect or inappropriate policy recommendations being made.
Supervision Received
Direction is provided by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Kobor. The Research Scientist is expected to develop their own work plan and timelines, and to exercise judgment and initiative in their duties and responsibilities. 
Supervision Given

Manages and oversees research assistants, junior staff and students as required.

Assists and provides guidelines to other research members as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
– Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

– Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (genetics, computational biology, bioinformatics, bio-statistics)
• Experience in laboratory research involving genome technologies infrastructure, with knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and epigenetics.
• Experience working with DNA-based microarrays and high-throughput sequencing experiments.
• Knowledge with biospecimen collection (blood, saliva, buccal swabs) to effectively advise collaborators with sample preparation-related inquiries.
• Excellent record-keeping skills.
• Excellent programming skills and mastery in one or more high level programming language (R preferred).
• Experience in writing executable R scripts, and debugging code.
• Experience working with DNA methylation, genotyping, expression, and/or multi-dimensional genomics or population data. Experience working with sequencing data. Knowledge with the development of novel packages/analysis pipelines.
• Basic to Intermediate level understanding of statistical modeling and tests.
• Experience with cluster computing and working in a Unix environment would be an asset. Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and databases.
• Ability to troubleshoot and optimize bench-side experiments with high efficiency.
• Accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships. Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent leadership skills and experience leading small teams.
• Ability to keep abreast of current developments and trends in the field of information technology.
• Must conduct all activities in an ethical manner and treat funding information and research data confidentially.