McGill University

Research Associate

McGill University  •  $35.37/hr  •  Canada (Onsite)  •  3 hours ago
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Job Description

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  • Develops, oversees, and optimizes a high-throughput, highly multiplexed single-extracellular vesicle (EV) proteomics platform based on interferometric and fluorescence microscopy. Establishes and validates assay protocols for cyclic immunostaining of immobilized EVs, including reagent preparation, surface functionalization, quality control procedures, and experimental optimization.

  • Designs, develops, and implements a multi-purpose imaging and analysis software platform supporting automated microscopy workflows and a growing user base. Establishes computational pipelines for processing large-scale multiplexed imaging datasets, generating single-EV proteomic expression profiles, and enabling downstream data analysis through intuitive graphical user interfaces.

  • Leads the design, development, construction, and validation of a low-volume, high-throughput lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation screening platform adapted from the EV analysis workflow. Oversees the implementation of a fully automated microscopy system to support LNP characterization and screening within the McGill LNP research ecosystem.

  • Develops and implements new experimental methodologies, imaging protocols, and analytical workflows to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and throughput of EV and LNP characterization.

  • Leads the analysis and interpretation of imaging and proteomic datasets, prepares research reports, and contributes to the dissemination of findings through scientific publications, presentations, and technical documentation.

  • Collaborates with the Research Supervisor and multidisciplinary research teams to establish project objectives, develop research strategies, and ensure the successful achievement of research milestones.

  • Provides functional supervision and technical guidance to Research Assistants, graduate students, and other research personnel involved in the project, including training on laboratory procedures, microscopy systems, software tools, and data analysis methodologies.

  • Contributes to the preparation of grant applications, progress reports, and other research-related documentation to support ongoing and future research initiatives.

  • Performs administrative and operational activities related to research projects, including equipment management, laboratory organization, protocol documentation, and coordination of research activities.

  • Leads the operation and coordination of EV and LNP analysis platforms for internal users and external collaborators. Oversees user onboarding and training, coordinates platform scheduling and access, prepares reagents and consumables, maintains instrumentation, troubleshoots technical issues, and develops, implements, and updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure high-quality, reproducible platform operations.

  • Co-manages EV and LNP research platforms and collaborates with engineers, scientists, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative technologies, optimize experimental workflows, and advance interdisciplinary research initiatives.

  • Prepares and maintains technical documentation, experimental protocols, methodological reports, data summaries, and operational records to support platform development, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and collaborative research activities.

  • Contributes to and authors scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, grant applications, technical reports, and other scholarly outputs by analyzing and interpreting research findings, documenting methodologies, and supporting the dissemination of research results.

Qualifications

  • The candidate should have a PhD in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline, with demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary research.

  • Experience in assay development, including immobilization assays, surface functionalization, cyclic immunostaining, reagent preparation, and assay quality control, as well as experience developing and troubleshooting microscopy-based biological instrumentation, is required.

  • Experience with software development for scientific applications, including automated image processing, analysis of large microscopy datasets, data visualization, and development of user-oriented analysis pipelines or graphical user interfaces.

  • Familiarity with EV biology, LNP formulation or characterization, immunoassay development, single-particle analysis, and/or high-throughput screening workflows is considered an asset.

  • Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple platform-development, assay-development, and collaborative projects in parallel.

  • Strong troubleshooting skills for complex experimental and technical workflows involving biological samples, microscopy instrumentation, image acquisition, and data analysis.

  • Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), user guides, and quality-control records.

  • Ability to train and support internal users and collaborators in the use of specialized research platforms, including assay workflows, instrumentation, and analysis software.

  • Strong programming, data-management, and reproducible-analysis practices are considered an asset.

  • Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively with researchers from engineering, biological, clinical, and computational backgrounds.



Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # 4 on a scale of 0-4

Hourly Salary:

$35.37

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

Duff Medical Bldg.

Supervisor:

Professor

Position Start Date:

2027-02-10

Position End Date:

2028-02-09

Deadline to Apply:

2026-07-21

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca

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