Requisition number
193923E
Date posted
05/06/2026
Research Associate, Innate Lymphoid Cell and NK Cell Engineering, Crome Lab, Terry Fox Lab BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join a translational immunology and cell therapy research program focused on innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and natural killer (NK) cell biology. The program integrates human immunology, single-cell genomics, and immune cell engineering to understand and manipulate lymphocyte function across transplantation, autoimmunity and cancer.
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation engineered immune cell therapies, including regulatory and cytotoxic lymphocyte platforms. The successful candidate will play a key role in experimental design, immune cell engineering, data generation, protocol development, and grant and manuscript preparation, within a highly collaborative and clinically integrated research environment.
Key Responsibilities - Design and perform experiments using primary human NK cells and innate lymphoid cell populations
- Engineer immune cells using genetic modification strategies (e.g., CAR constructs, signaling domain optimization)
- Culture, expand, and functionally characterize engineered immune cell products
- Monitor and control cell phenotype stability, cytokine profile, and functional potency during expansion and cryopreservation
- Perform high-parameter flow cytometry for immune phenotyping, functional assays, and cytotoxicity measurements
- Support in vivo studies using humanized and tumour-bearing mouse models
- Analyze and interpret data from functional assays, flow cytometry, and transcriptomic/scRNAseq datasets
- Contribute to development and maintenance of SOPs and process documentation aligned with preclinical and early translational requirements
- Participate in manuscript development, figure preparation, and grant writing
- Coordinate with collaborators and core facilities, including genomics, bioinformatics, and preclinical modeling teams
- Mentor trainees, including MSc and PhD students, on immune and cell engineering approaches.
Required Qualifications - PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related biomedical discipline
- Extensive experience with flow cytometry (experimental design, acquisition, and analysis)
- Demonstrated experience in immune cell genetic modulation/engineering(e.g., viral or non-viral gene delivery, CAR constructs)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
Preferred / Asset Qualifications - Experience working with primary immune cell populations (e.g., ILCs, Tregs, NK cells, T cells, B cells, stem or progenitor-derived immune cells)
- Experience with single-cell RNA-seq and/or bulk RNA-seq experimental design or data interpretation
- Experience working with humanized mouse models or in vivo tumour models
- Experience with immunoregulatory pathways (e.g., IL-10, TGF-β, type-2 immunity, tissue repair programs)
- Exposure to GMP or GMP-like cell manufacturing, process development, or technology transfer
- Familiarity with cell therapy or preclinical development
- Experience contributing to manuscripts, grant applications or regulatory documentation
- Interest in immune cell regulation, immunosuppression, and therapeutic resistance mechanism
Research Environment and Career Development This position is embedded within a well-funded, collaborative research environment at BC Cancer, with access to state-of-the-art core facilities including high-parameter flow cytometry, and advanced preclinical models. The Research Associate will contribute to high-impact publications, gain exposure to immune cell engineering and translational research, and participate in the development of next-generation NK cell and innate lymphoid cell therapies.
Application Instructions Interested applicants should submit:
- Cover letter describing relevant experience and research interests
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information for 2-3 references
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
What you'll do - Propose experimental hypotheses for research and designs experimental questions and protocols in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
- Apply standard scientific techniques and utilizes technical expertise and experience to plan, coordinate, conduct and report on assigned research projects. Notifies Principal Investigator of issues related to laboratory protocols and experimental designs and recommends solutions.
- Prepare Research Ethics Board applications and amendments as required and ensures compliance with Research Ethics Board guidelines.
- Develop new laboratory methods and modifies existing procedures to facilitate research projects.
- Collects, records, analyzes, validates, interprets and organizes experimental and research data and communicates scientific findings to Principal Investigator. Recommends research direction based on preliminary findings in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
- Source funding opportunities and provides input into writing research proposals and developing budget for grant applications. Can apply for fellowship funding.
- Conduct regular literature reviews relating to research areas. Contribute intellectual and scientific input to manuscripts for publications. Presents research findings at national and/or international conferences.
- Facilitate constructive and collaborative relationships with both the Principal Investigator and internal and external research partner.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
What you bring Qualifications:
- A level of experience, training and education equivalent to a Ph.D. in a related scientific field plus three (3) years of recent, relevant post-doctoral research experience.
Core Competencies:
- Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
- Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
You have:
- Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
Job Type: Temporary, Full-time (1-year position until March 1, 2027, with possibility of renewal)
Salary Range: $74,618 - $107,264/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate's relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 1G1
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Hours of Work: Monday- Friday;0930-1730
Requisition Number: 193923E
