Research Associate – Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Identification:

Position Classification: Research Associate

Employee Group: Faculty

Faculty: Medicine

Department: Medical Genetics

Division: Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics

Status of Position: Fulltime; Grant funded

Preferred start date: November 1, 2012

Start Date of Posting: September 19, 2012

End Date of Posting: October 19, 2012

 

Job Summary:

This position’s primary purpose in the lab will be to lead molecular biology projects related to the validation of caspase6 as a therapeutic target in Huntington disease in humans and in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington disease. The position will instruct and supervise technicians and mentor graduate students.

 

Organizational Status:

This position will play a leadership role in the Hayden lab, and will be reporting directly to Dr. Michael Hayden who is the primary investigator of the laboratory and director of the CMMT. The position will directly supervise several technicians and graduate students.

 

Work Performed:

Management and supervision of technicians;

Mentoring and supervision of graduate students;

Management of the team studying caspase6 in Huntington disease in the Hayden lab;

Performing regular reviews of the relevant literature;

Planning and designing of projects and single experiments;

Analyzing, interpreting and compiling data in study reports;

Management of multiple collaborations with academic institutions and industry;

Presenting results at international conferences;

Preparation and publication of manuscripts for scientific journals;

Preparation of grant application packages;

Updating Dr Hayden and the group on the status of projects during lab meetings, in email correspondence and phone conferences;

Performing other related duties

 

Exercising Judgment/Impact of Decisions:

The employee will regularly make decisions that will have impact on the work performed by technicians and students. The employee will instruct technicians on the experiments that have to be performed to ensure deadlines are met and milestones for different projects are reached on time. This level of decision making will be left to the employee. Incompetence or incorrect decisions could jeopardize research progress, collaborations, finances and employee safety, and adversely impact future project objectives and personnel.

Progress of the team will be brought to the attention of Dr Hayden and the group by the employee during weekly lab meetings. Repeated inappropriate judgment will result in intervention by Dr. Hayden.

 

Supervision:

This position works independently and provides reports to Dr. Michael Hayden at weekly lab meetings.

 

Working conditions:

Position is based at the CMMT animal facility and the laboratory of Dr. Michael Hayden in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, which is a state of the art research facility with all required safety precautions already in place.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD degree in the biosciences

At least 4 years related postdoctoral experience

Experience in mentoring and supervising students and technicians

Extensive knowledge of Molecular Biology, biochemistry and genetics

Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and data bases

Proven ability to multitask in a deadline oriented environment with minimal supervision

Effective oral and written communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational skill and ability to learn new skills quickly

Ability to work independently and within a team environment.

Accuracy and attention to detail required

While this position is grantfunded, the successful applicant will be expected to apply for his or her own external funding.

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment.

 

How to Apply

Exceptional candidates should submit a cover letter outlining your research interests and fit with the laboratory’s research, curriculum vitae, and the names of three referees willing to provide letters ofreference.

Please send all applications electronically to Dawn Ng at dng@cmmt.ubc.ca by October 19, 2012 at 4:30pm PST. No phone calls, please.

Due to the number of resumes we receive, we are unable to confirm receipt of submissions over the phone, or provide the status of the competition.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.