Job Posting# 891829
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - Mars Tower
Department: Research
Reports to: Principle Investigators
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Status: Temporary Full-time
University Health Network (UHN) is looking for an experienced professional to fill the key role of Postdoctoral Fellow in our Research Department.
Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning.
The University Health Network, where “above all else the needs of patients come first”, encompasses Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground breaking firsts and a purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning”, the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.
University Health Network (UHN) is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto and a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. The scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. Research across UHN's five research institutes spans the full spectrum of diseases and disciplines, including cancer, cardiovascular sciences, transplantation, neural and sensory sciences, musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation sciences, and community and population health. Find out about our purpose, values and principles here.
We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to study gold nanoclusters for radiodynamic therapy of cancers. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel method for selective destruction of solid tumours that uses light-activated drugs (photosensitizers). To overcome the limited light penetrance in tissue, we have recently developed a strategy to use nanoparticles activated by high-energy ionizing radiation (IR) to trigger the photosensitizer drug. In addition, novel (proprietary) nanoparticle formulations allow for improved biological stability and tumor targeting ability for clinical translation. We seek a highly-motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to propel the pre-clinical development and testing of these novel IR-PDT nanoparticles. The Fellow will assess the impact of important factors in the tumor microenvironment such as oxygen, redox homeostasis and pH on the radiodynamic quantum yield and therapeutic efficacy, using a variety of nanoparticle formulations synthesized by our collaborators. She/he will determine factors that promote particle uptake and efficacy in experimental cell and animal tumor models. The overall goal of the project is to identify optimal formulations and conditions that are suitable for clinical translation to phase I trials.
The successful candidate will become part of the newly formed Carbon to Metal Coatings Institute (C2MCI), a multidisciplinary international virtual institute with more than ten institution partners.
Key responsibilities for this position include:
Mapping the dependence on microenvironmental factors of nanoparticle formulations on their quantum yield
Mapping the dependence on microenvironmental factors of nanoparticle formulations for therapeutic efficacy in cells
Mapping the dependence on microenvironmental factors of nanoparticle formulations for therapeutic efficacy in experimental mouse tumor models
Data analysis and maintenance of proper documentation (lab journals, reports)
Writing of scientific papers
Contributions to general lab maintenance and functionality, including guidance of more junior staff
Participation in C2MCI collaborative meetings and presentation of the research at conferences.
QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE:
PhD degree in Biophysical Sciences within five (5) years
Background in optical biophysics and/or radiation biology
Passion for translational cancer research and ambition to make important contributions to scientific knowledge
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Experience with standard biochemical and biophysical methods, including cell culture, transfection, western blotting, qPCR, spectroscopy, microscopy
Experience with animal handling and experimental tumor models is desirable
Vaccines (COVID-19 and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
If you are interested in making your contribution at UHN, please apply on-line. You will be asked to copy and paste as well as attach your resume and covering letter. You will also be required to complete some initial screening questions
Posted Date: January 20, 2022 Closing Date: Until Filled
For current UHN employees, only those who have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, and possess all the required experience and qualifications should apply.
University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, persons with disabilities and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the Bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.