Post-Doctoral Fellow– Tai Lab Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Science Centre - BC Cancer Research Institute Vancouver

Post-Doctoral Fellow– Tai Lab

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Science Centre

BC Cancer Research Institute

Vancouver, BC

A leading academic research lab at the Genomic Sciences Centre is seeking a motivated and skilled Post-Doctoral Fellow to join its team This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research focused on improving healthcare access, efficiency, equity, and evidence generation. The successful candidate will work on a research project that seeks to define the functional role of a protein normally associated with immune cells in colorectal cancer cells.

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant clinical problem. These patients have a survival rate less than 20% and the majority of tumors do not respond to conventional therapies. The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint is normally associated with the immune system but is also intrinsically expressed by some CRC tumours. CRC patients with high expression levels of PD-1 have inferior survival rates and their tumors have higher mutation and microsatellite instability levels. PD-1 high CRC tumors also over-express proteins associated with an aggressive phenotype favoring tumor survival. The goal of this project is to evaluate the role of tumor cell-intrinsic PD-1 in CRC and understand its impact on current therapeutic strategies in CRC.

The aims of the project are to:

• Characterize the signaling networks of cell-intrinsic PD-1 and define how the protein regulates cancer cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy
• Define the molecular interaction of cell-intrinsic PD-1 with immune cells and/or stemcells in the tumor stroma.

Key Responsibilities:

• Designing cell libraries for high-throughput screening experiments.
• Performing Western Blots to validate cell signaling networks
• Performing immuno-precipitation of binding partners to PD-1
• Characterizing and validating novel discoveries stemming from gene screening studies including scRNA sequencing.
• Participating in the analysis of global proteomic assays
• Reporting research methods and results in meetings.
• Contributing to the scientific advancement of the PD-1-CRC project by developing new research directions related to PD-1 activity in CRC tumors.
• Contributing to scientific publications, patents, and funding proposals as needed.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Qualifications:

• PhD and recent experience in immunology, genomics, cancer biology, cell biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in recombinant DNA technologies and viral gene delivery vectors, mammalian cell culture (including primary T cell culture), flow cytometry/FACS, and cell-based assays (such as ELISPOT) is desired.
• Familiarity with 2^nd and 3^rd generation DNA sequencing platforms (including spatial single-cell sequencing platforms) and bioinformatics analysis will be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, applied research
• Strong analytic background in quantitative or qualitative methods
• Experience with administrative data and/or stated preference methods
• Excellent writing and communication skills with a publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• strong publication record and a track record of success in objective-based research projects are highly desirable. Due to the translational nature of this research project, an interest or aptitude for developing novel technologies, therapeutic strategies and/or commercialization would be a valuable asset.

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth and development.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

To apply directly to the job ad and please submit a cover letter, CV, and a brief description of your research interests (½ to 1 page).

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (1-year position, with the possibility of renewal/Until August 10, 2026)
Salary: Starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan.
Location: 675 West 10^th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia (onsite required)
Hours of work: Monday - Friday; 0830-1630.
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Requisition Number: 186702E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. 

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on July 25, 2025, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.