Research Associate

Competition 1729

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary range of $59,822 to $67,303. This position has an approximate appointment of 1 year.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Medicine

The Department of Medicine is the largest department in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta with over 250 academic faculty members and over 400 trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and residents).The Department of Medicine's core mission is to undertake outstanding education, research and high-quality clinical care to provide the best possible health outcomes for Albertans. We have 14 divisions that work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, multicultural and ethnically diverse collegial environment.

Position 

Our research lab and team are situated in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology (LKSIoV) lab spaces surrounded by the expertise of the LKSIoV researchers, which has >100 active researchers across varying disciplines and departments within the University. The environment is highly collaborative in nature and there are many opportunities to interact with other teams through organized programs, research seminars and/or simple lab proximities and common spaces. Our lab's research programs and projects are cross-disciplinary, with components of molecular virology, biophysics, computational modeling, drug discovery and preclinical testing. The breadth of work opens our research up to many great collaborations both within the Dept MMI/LKSIoV, but with members of other Departments at the University of Alberta as well as other universities.The position’s primary responsibilities will be to provide biophysical expertise and experimental support to research projects focused on the structural and functional understanding of key viral protein-DNA/RNA interactions. The lab’s research focus is on viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C and D) and influenza viruses. In addition, this individual will be involved maintaining daily operation of Dr. Meier-Stephenson’s basic research laboratory.

Duties 

• Designs and conducts experiments specifically as it relates to viral protein-nucleic acid interactions under the direction of the Principal Investigator
• Plans out research activity objectives in consultation with the Principal Investigator
• Keeps informed of evolving literature in the area(s) directly relating to the projects and proposes new areas of exploration, where appropriate
• Troubleshoots experimental protocols
• In consultation with the Principal Investigator, develops and documents research methods and protocols
• Assists with the preparation of manuscripts, research grant applications and/or contract proposals in conjunction with the Principal Investigator
• Presents research results at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific conferences, and related settings
• Fosters communication with off-campus partners, including sample shipments where applicable.
• Participates in the scientific oversight of the laboratory; assists the Principal Investigator in supervision of students, technicians, and other staff in the laboratory

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, chemistry or biophysics or in a related field subject
• 4/5 years of postdoctoral experience encompassing broad protein interaction research

Preferred Qualifications

• Wide knowledge and experience of various protein expression models and strategies for working within them
• Working knowledge and experience in RNA production, purification and handling.
• Working knowledge and experience in working with multiple biophysical techniques and equipment, with a minimum proficiency in operation of fast-performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) machines and microscale thermophoresis (MST)
• Proven accomplishments in biophysical studies pertaining to protein-protein and/or protein-nucleic acid interactions
• Working experience in BL2 bio-containment laboratories
• Working experience in a range of cloning strategies
• Working knowledge and/or experience of molecular virology
• Working experience of computational design methods
• Ability to work independently as well as contributing to team development, including during the supervisor's periodic absences from the lab

This position has an anticipated start date in January 2025.