Scientist

Scientist
Biologics: Design and Mechanism

SickKids Research Institute
Toronto, Ontario
 

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute seeks an outstanding scientist whose research is focused on biological molecule- or cell-based therapeutics, diagnostics or preventative medicine strategies, their design and their mechanisms of action. Biologics have become increasingly important in biomedical research and medical applications, including antibodies, vaccines, cytokines, enzymes, toxins, peptides, cells, bacteria, viruses, phage, gene editing agents, RNAs, cell-based therapies and more. At the interface between therapeutic development and fundamental biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, and genetics, this position reflects the need to develop and characterize novel agents and their biological effects.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Scientist in the Molecular Medicine and/or Cell Biology research program(s) at SickKids, and is expected to qualify for an academic status-only appointment in an appropriate department at the University of Toronto. SickKids is a world-renowned paediatric hospital with seven fully integrated research programs (http://www.sickkids.ca/Research/). The successful applicant’s laboratory will be located in our 21-storey state-of-the-art Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning (686 Bay Street, Toronto, Canada), located in the Discovery District in the heart of downtown Toronto, offering a unique environment for medical science discoveries in close proximity to nine other academic hospitals/research centres and Canada’s largest university. 

The successful applicant is expected to establish a world-leading research program in the broad areas of biologic design, development and mechanistic understanding, and potentially the transition to clinical practice. Of particular interest are the development of biologics addressing important problems in human disease pathobiology, especially in paediatric medicine. Experimental biochemical, biophysical, cell-based and computational approaches are of primary interest, but other approaches will be considered.  

Applicants must have a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline, significant research experience (i.e., at least 3 years postdoctoral experience) and a record of scientific accomplishments in the aforementioned research areas. The successful candidate will initiate and maintain an original, competitive, and independently funded research program of international caliber. The successful candidate will benefit from the extensive research and core facilities of SickKids, the University of Toronto and its affiliated institutions for drug discovery, structure, biophysics, cellular imaging, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics, as well as inter-institutional initiatives focused on biologics and therapeutic design. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. A competitive benefits package is being offered along with support for relocation expenses. Exceptional, appropriately qualified candidates may be nominated for a Canada Research Chair. For further information see: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.

SickKids recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances in order to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Search committee members have been instructed to give consideration and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions in their assessments. 

 

Our Commitment to Diversity 

SickKids and the University of Toronto are strongly committed to diversity within its communities and welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Informed by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and our Access and Accommodation Policy, SickKids is proud to make accommodations to support applicants during the interview and assessment process, if requested. Please advise the SickKids Research Institute Faculty Office at faculty.office@sickkids.ca of your accessibility needs during the recruitment process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Application Process 

Interested individuals should email their application {that should include a curriculum vitae, description of past research (maximum 1 page), proposed research program (maximum 3 pages), and copies of three representative publications} preferably in PDF format to the Co-Chairs, Biologics: Design and Mechanism Search Committee at biologics.search@sickkids.ca by the close of the search on October 15, 2022. Applicants should also arrange to have three signed letters of reference sent directly by the referee to the Search Committee Chairs at biologics.search@sickkids.ca, indicating the applicant’s name in the subject line, also by the close of the search.  The search committee will interview applicants beginning in late 2022, with a potential start date in summer or fall 2023. 

SickKids believes that diversity positively impacts science and is essential to sustain our vibrant world-leading research community. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a brief voluntary diversity survey. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by either the search committee or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. The self-identification information is collected, used, disclosed, retained and disposed of in accordance with the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The successful candidate will hold an appropriate and valid work permit, if applicable. Only those applicants selected for the interview will be contacted. Wherein a practicing MD, the successful candidate must hold or be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Applicants may direct any informal inquiries to:

Co-Chairs, Biologics: Design and Mechanism Search Committee

SickKids Research Institute - The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning

686 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5G 0A4

biologics.search@sickkids.ca