Research Associate, Schrader Lab

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

This role is a term position intended for individuals who hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field but do not develop and lead independent research programs as Principal Investigator. This is intended to be a transitional position with a maximum term (or total consecutive terms) of five years.  At the end of the term(s) the Research Associate is expected to transition into an academic or non-academic research stream. 

Role Summary:  Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, these positions propose experimental hypotheses, design experimental questions and protocols, and plan, coordinate, conduct and report on assigned research projects. They evaluate research data, revise techniques and develop new methods and approaches to solve scientific problems.

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.  Notify Principal Investigator of issues related to laboratory protocols and experimental designs and recommends solutions.
• Prepare Research Ethics Board applications and amendments as required and ensure compliance with Research Ethics Board guidelines.
• Develop new laboratory methods and modifies existing procedures to facilitate research projects.
• Collect, record, analyze, validate, interpret and organize experimental and research data and communicate scientific findings to Principal Investigator. Recommend research direction based on preliminary findings in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
• Source funding opportunities and provide 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. Present research findings at national and/or international conferences.
• Facilitate constructive and collaborative relationships with both the Principal Investigator and internal and external research partners.

What you bring 

Qualifications:

• A level of experience, training and education equivalent to a Ph.D. in a related scientific field.
• Three (3) years of recent, relevant post-doctoral research experience. 
• 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.

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:

• Proven expertise with Python and/or other similar high-level languages.
• Demonstrated ability in R or other similar statistical programming languages and in statistical analysis.
• Functional knowledge of distributed version control systems, such as Git.
• Comfortable working in a Linux environment, including experience with shell scripting and common command-line tools.
• Familiarity with pipeline tools (eg. Nextflow, singularity) and high-performance computing (slurm) are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with software development lifecyle and appling CI/CD pipelines to streamline the development and deployment of reliable and effective bioinformatics tools and workflows.
• Demonstrated experience with next generation/ third generation sequencing technology with an in-depth understanding of standards and guidelines for validating clinical bioinformatics analysis pipelines using these technologies.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Experience liaising with multiple members to support consensus goals.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet milestones, and efficiently organize work assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to write technical documents including validations and procedure manuals
• Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility and work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex scientific ideas.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge 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.).

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 in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• 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 January 4, 2027)
Salary: $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 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday-Friday; 0830-1600
Requisition Number: 192897E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit afte receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**

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).

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 and BC Cancer are 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.