Post Doctoral Fellow, Bioinformatics

Genome Sciences Centre 

Vancouver, BC

The Parent-of-Origin-Aware genomic analysis (POAga) project is part of a major hereditary cancer genomics initiative focused on enhancing population cancer care through mainstream genome sequencing and parent-of-origin detection. The project will generate 6,585 short-read genomes from a diverse patient cohort, 900 long-read phased genomes with parent-of-origin data, 40 diverse POAga carriers to support cascade testing, and 60 parent-child trios for validation. The work includes short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing, Strand-seq, variant calling, methylation analysis, chromosome-scale phasing, and parent-of-origin assignment to improve hereditary cancer risk assessment and family-based follow-up.

The Sarcoma MetAstasis Research Taskforce (SMART) project aims to identify therapeutic targets relevant to preventing or treating metastasis and relapse in high-risk pediatric sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The project integrates multimodal molecular profiling of relapse and metastatic samples using single nuclei RNA sequencing, spatial proteomics, bulk DNA/RNA/methylation profiling, circulating tumor DNA analysis, extracellular vesicle profiling, and exploratory nanopore- and SERS-based assays for biomarker and assay development.
This Post Doctoral Fellow will provide dedicated computational expertise across both projects by building and operating reproducible analytical pipelines, integrating high-dimensional genomic and multi-omic datasets, supporting quality control and documentation, and helping translate complex molecular data into biologically and clinically meaningful findings. Both POAga and SMART depend on advanced sequencing and data integration workflows, making this position central to successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, maintain, and document reproducible bioinformatics workflows for short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing, methylation analysis, haplotype phasing, and parent-of-origin assignment for the POAga project.
• Support analysis of Strand-seq and long-read sequencing datasets, including alignment, variant calling, annotation, quality control, phasing, and integration with genomic and clinical metadata.
• Build and optimize analysis pipelines for SMART project datasets spanning bulk DNA/RNA/methylation profiling, single nuclei RNA-seq, spatial proteomics, ctDNA, extracellular vesicle profiling, and exploratory nanopore-based liquid biopsy assays.
• Integrate multimodal datasets to identify therapeutic targets, biomarkers of relapse and metastasis, and biologically meaningful patterns across patient samples and model systems.
• Generate analysis reports, figures, quality summaries, and data packages for collaborators, presentations, manuscripts, and project reporting.
• Work closely with investigators, trainees, clinical teams, and laboratory personnel to prioritize analyses, harmonize data standards, and support milestone completion across both projects.
• Contribute to data stewardship, metadata harmonization, workflow reproducibility, and preparation of research outputs consistent with institutional and project data governance requirements.
• These responsibilities reflect the sequencing, phasing, single-cell, spatial proteomics, ctDNA, and assay-development activities described in the POAga and SMART project materials.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expertise in next-generation sequencing data analysis, preferably including Illumina short-read and Oxford Nanopore long-read platforms.
• Experience with one or more of the following: germline or cancer variant calling, structural variant analysis, copy-number analysis, methylation analysis, haplotype phasing, RNA-seq analysis, single-cell analysis, spatial omics, ctDNA analysis, or multi-omic data integration.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience using workflow managers such as Nextflow, Snakemake, or CWL, version control tools such as Git, and high-performance computing environments
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex genomic datasets and produce reproducible, well-documented workflows.
• Familiarity with hereditary cancer genomics, cancer biology, translational genomics, liquid biopsy approaches, or pediatric cancer research is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• These qualifications are aligned with the technical methods and computational scope described for both projects.

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:

• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including 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 - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
• 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 (Until June 7, 2027)

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000; 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: 570 West 7th Avenue #100, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1B3

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday- Friday;0830-1630

Requisition Number: 198647E

What we do

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 ***@phsa.ca 🔒 Premium.

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 May 15, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail ***@phsa.ca 🔒 Premium 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 ***@phsa.ca 🔒 Premium 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 ***@phsa.ca 🔒 Premium.