Research Associate Full-time

Research Associate

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver campus, invites applications for a full-time Research Associate in stem cell biology & organoid engineering to work on DNA barcode-based cell lineage tracing of heart and lung organoids for a one-year term. The position may be renewed subject to work performance and funding availability.

The Yachie lab develops next-generation molecular technologies that integrate DNA event recording, genome engineering, organoid and stem-cell platforms, and high-throughput sequencing to study dynamic cell states in health and disease. The lab operates at the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine, combining rigorous experimental work with quantitative and computational approaches.

The Research Associate will report to Dr. Nozomu Yachie and closely collaborate with Dr. Josef Penninger on projects that include multiple collaborative labs from UBC and globally.

Responsibilities

• Developing and optimizing the human pluripotent stem cell organoids and organ-on-chip system to study infectious diseases.
• Designing, executing, and analyzing experiments on human pluripotent stem cell genome editing and lineage tracing in an organoid system, ensuring high-quality, reproducible results.
• Contributing to advancing scientific knowledge by publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national and international conferences.

Mentorship & Team Leadership

• Training, mentoring, and supervising lab personnel, including postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, and technicians, guiding their research projects and career development.
• Overseeing and leading trainees within research projects, ensuring progress and alignment with scientific goals.
• Fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment to enhance innovation and teamwork.

Grant Writing & Regulatory Compliance

• Preparing and contributing to grant applications and progress reports to secure research funding.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and ethical standards, including biosafety and animal ethics requirements.
• Assisting in fulfilling institutional and funding agency regulatory requirements.

Lab Management & Operations

• Managing and overseeing research projects, from conception to execution, ensuring timely completion and impactful outcomes.
• Optimizing laboratory budgets by efficiently allocating resources and forecasting financial needs for current and future research.
• Maintaining strict adherence to safety, regulatory, and operational standards while ensuring project timelines and quality control.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in developmental biology, biophysics, or biomedical engineering.
• Candidates should have a strong research background, as demonstrated by past publications, accomplishments, and references.
• Candidates with a strong background in stem cell biology will be considered.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have >5 years of experience in a postdoctoral and/or Research Associate role with experiences of laboratory personnel management.

The expected start date is July 1, 2026. The position is located at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus). The position is full-time for a 1-year term with the possibility of extension, subject to funding availability and work performance. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The expected salary for this position is $76,128 per year.

Candidates should provide a CV, names and contact information of 3 references, and a cover letter describing past achievements and future research interests. Please submit your applications directly via Workday.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment assumes one where differences are appreciated, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making processes. Within this hiring process, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request. Please contact Farzana Fancy via email at farzana.fancy@ubc.ca. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the recruitment and hiring process, or for more information and support, please visit UBC's Centre for Workplace Accessibility website or contact the Centre.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷm əθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

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.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.