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:

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.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

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

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including 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 and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on January 28, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.