Job Description

Union: Non-Union
Number of Vacancies: 1
Site: PMCRT
Department: Ajmera Transplant Centre Research Institute (ATC-RI)
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Salary Range: $37.02 - $46.27/hr
Hours: 37.5 per week
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Closing Date: June 26, 2026

Position Summary

The successful candidate will join a research program in programmable immune engineering at UHN, based at the ATC-RI and affiliated with the University of Toronto. The lab focuses on designing engineered human immune cells that maintain stable and regulated function in complex clinical environments, with a particular emphasis on transplantation alongside applications in cancer and infection. The research program integrates CRISPR-based genome engineering, RNA-based modulation, and advanced human tissue and organoid models to define generalizable design principles for immune function under clinical stress conditions such as inflammation, immunosuppression, and chronic antigen exposure. A central goal is to establish programmable immune resilience as a design parameter for clinically deployable cell therapies. Experimental approaches include genetic engineering of human T cells, development of non-viral and mRNA-based delivery strategies, and functional validation in physiologically relevant human model systems, closely aligned with translational and biomanufacturing workflows at UHN. Example application areas include regulatory T cell engineering for enhanced stability under inflammatory and pharmacologic stress.

The Scientific Associate I will contribute to the development and execution of independent research projects in programmable immune engineering. The successful candidate will help establish and advance experimental platforms for human immune cell engineering and will play an important role in shaping the scientific direction of a growing translational research program.

Duties:

• Contribute to the design, execution, and interpretation of independent research projects in immune engineering
• Establish and advance experimental platforms for human T cell engineering, including genome editing and RNA-based approaches
• Develop and perform functional assays to assess immune cell activity, stability, and phenotype
• Apply human model systems, including organoid and ex vivo approaches, in clinically relevant contexts
• Contribute to the scientific development of the lab
• Support and mentor junior trainees
• Contribute to manuscripts, grant applications and scientific presentations
• Work closely with clinical and translational programs at UHN

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline
• Strong experimental background in immune cell biology, ideally including human T cell systems
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute and interpret experiments independently
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: genome editing, RNA technologies, gene delivery, cell engineering, advanced cell culture systems
• Familiarity with flow cytometry and functional immune assays
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; peer-reviewed publications are an asset
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment
• Prior experience mentoring students or junior trainees is an asset
• Interest in translational immunology, cell therapy and immune engineering

Additional Information

Why 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 https://hoopp.com/)
• 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.