Postdoctoral Researcher

University Health Network

  • Toronto, ON
  • Temporary
  • Full-time
  • 17 days ago
Company DescriptionUHN is Canada's #1 hospital and the world's #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.UHN's vision is to build A Healthier World and it's only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.Job DescriptionUnion: Non-Union
Number of Vacancies: 1
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, MaRS Tower
Department: Princess Margaret Research Institute
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time
Closing Date: September 30, 2025Position Summary:
The Myc oncoprotein is dysregulated in most human cancers and is a key regulator of gene transcription, binding to ~10% of the human genome to drive biological activities associated with the hallmarks of cancer. Successfully targeting MYC would represent a breakthrough in cancer therapy, but due to the intrinsically disordered nature of the MYC protein it has evaded classic drug development approaches for several decades. Our lab has recently had a breakthrough and identified several proteins that interact with MYC. These data provide an unprecedented opportunity to i) better understand MYC regulation and function as a potent cancer driver, and ii) develop anti-MYC activity therapies by blocking critical MYC-protein interactions. This novel line of research has enormous potential to radically advance new knowledge and make a lasting impact to patients and their families.We are searching for a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Researcher with a PhD in a related discipline, such molecular biology or biochemistry. This project will consist of validating and characterizing novel MYC-protein interactions at the cellular and tumor levels, with a focus on proteins that are essential to MYC oncogenic function. The successful candidate will be working at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and will benefit from a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research team.Duties:
  • Conduct protein-protein interaction assays, such as proximity ligation assay, co-immunoprecipitation
  • Analyze protein-DNA interactions using CUT&RUN or Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing or qPCR
  • Perform analyses of gene expression including RT-qPCR, RNA-seq, EU incorporation
  • Assay MYC-protein complexes regulating gene transcription and oncogenesis by a variety of methods
  • Have strong computational skills to enable genomic analyses and data integration
  • Work with databases that enable our research such as Encode and DepMap
  • Understand the state-of-the-art at both the methodological and biological levels
  • Report results both in writing and orally to individuals as well as collaborative groups
Qualifications
  • PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry or related discipline
  • Expertise in the area of gene transcription and protein-protein interaction
  • Comprehensive experience in using and developing tumor models based in tissue culture and mice
  • Work well independently as well as with others as part of a team
  • Excellent problem recognition and problem-solving
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to set priorities and work independently with accuracy in a fast-paced multitasking environment
Additional InformationWhy join UHN?In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
  • Competitive offer packages
  • Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP
) * Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
  • A flexible work environment
  • Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
  • Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

University Health Network