Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department

Turvey Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine (Stuart Turvey)

Posting End Date

January 30, 2025

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

Job End Date

Nov 10, 2025

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

The UBC Department of Pediatrics, based at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a multidisciplinary translational research team. This position focuses on analyzing microbiome sequencing data from a large birth cohort, aimed at uncovering the origins of chronic childhood diseases.

The gut microbiome, one of the most densely populated regions of the human body, contains 10-100 trillion microbial cells. Early-life is a critical window for the establishment of microbiota biodiversity, as the gut rapidly develops alongside immune and other physiological systems. Global evidence indicates children in industrialized societies are losing essential bacterial species, raising the need for urgent interventions to restore microbial diversity. Our lab, in collaboration with the CHILD Study, has identified links between chronic disease development and the absence of key 'missing microbes' in early life. This presents a unique opportunity to develop microbiome-based biomarkers for early disease risk prediction and implement primary prevention strategies through microbiome modification.

Our research leverages data from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study, the country’s largest birth cohort, which has collected extensive data and biological samples from 3,495 mothers and children, from pregnancy through to age 13. The longitudinal nature of CHILD’s dataset allows us to integrate microbiota and immunological characteristics with health outcomes from early childhood through school-age.

The Turvey Laboratory is an energetic and collaborative environment, dedicated to improving children’s health. Success in the lab is driven by teamwork and partnerships, both within the group and with external collaborators. Our current work integrates shotgun metagenomics and metabolomic profiles from stool samples collected in the CHILD study.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have a PhD of relevant experience with a publication record in a relevant field (e.g. microbiota, immunology, genetics, molecular biology). The ideal candidate will have experience in R and/or Python and statistical analysis. In addition, experience in processing of metagenomics data would be an asset. The applicant should also demonstrate the ability to work independently, supervise graduate and undergraduate students, conceive, initiate, organize and manage projects. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a necessity as well as the ability to work in a team environment.

SALARY

We offer a competitive salary. The post-doctoral fellow will receive a minimum $70,000 per annum, and candidates that possess full job knowledge, qualifications will be eligible for additional compensation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with other researchers and statisticians to share knowledge and strategies for data analysis.

• Works with the PI to ensure that all scientific milestones are achieved.

• Provides supervision and mentorship to bioinformatics trainees.

• Presents research findings to the team and investigators, and integrates feedback.

• Presents research findings at conferences and related research events.

• Participates in the evaluation, selection, planning and integration of technology and software solutions to further research goals.

• Prepares content for academic manuscripts, technical reports, research proposals, and presentations.

• Keeps up-to-date with new applications, technology, and algorithmic developments and supports best practices.

• Performs other related duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• PhD degree in a life science discipline

• Experience in bioinformatics with a focus on microbiome analysis.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of bioinformatics, with an emphasis on microbiome and metagenome analysis.

• R and/or Python skills.

• Experience with statistical analyses, including logistic regression analysis or machine learning

• Drive and enthusiasm to both lead and work as a team member with a collaborative group.

• Effective oral and written communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

This position will begin as soon as possible. This is a one-year term appointment subject to annual renewal. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please submit via email a curriculum vitae and a letter of application including a statement of areas of expertise and strengths and the names of three referees, no later than 30 days after posting to: turveylab@bcchr.ca 

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.