Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maxwell Laboratory invites applications for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow with strong expertise in mammary gland biology, epithelial tissue organization, or mechanisms of cell division and mitosis, with a particular interest in cancer susceptibility and genome instability. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team focused on understanding how errors in cell division and tissue organization contribute to hereditary and childhood cancers, with emphasis on BRCA1-associated pathways, spindle orientation, and epithelial cell fate decisions in mammary and related tissues. The Maxwell Lab, led by Dr. Chris Maxwell at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and UBC, investigates how cell division is regulated at the molecular and tissue level, and how its disruption contributes to hereditary cancers and pediatric malignancies. Key areas include: Mechanisms of cell division fidelity, spindle orientation, and cell polarity; Role of BRCA1 and associated pathways (e.g., PLK1, HMMR) in mammary epithelial biology; Cellular origins of genome instability in cancer predisposition syndromes; Development of in vivo and ex vivo models of pediatric and hereditary cancers; Translation toward personalized medicine approaches in childhood cancer. The lab has extensive expertise in: Human primary mammary epithelial cell systems; Mouse and genetically engineered cancer models; High-content and live-cell imaging; Tumor evolution and therapeutic response modeling. The fellow will be embedded in a highly collaborative environment within: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, UBC Department of Pediatrics, and the Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program. The lab also actively collaborates with national and international partners in the fields of: Hereditary cancer biology; Oriented cell division mechanisms; Pediatric leukemia and breast cancer modeling; and, Precision oncology initiatives. Applicants may contribute to one or more of the following research focus areas: Mammary epithelial cell fate and division orientation (Mechanisms controlling symmetric vs asymmetric division, Role of spindle orientation in differentiation and tumor initiation); Genome instability in hereditary cancer syndromes (Role of spindle orientation in differentiation and tumor initiation, Interaction between mitotic machinery and DNA damage responses); Cell division regulation in epithelial tissue architecture; Translational cancer modeling (Patient-derived mammary epithelial systems, In vivo modeling of cancer predisposition states). The fellow will be responsible for conducting basic/translational research in one or more of the above research focus areas, design and execute research plans and perform data analyses, contribute to writing manuscripts and grants, present research findings in internal and external meetings, and/or mentor junior trainees in the laboratory.

Requirements

• PhD in Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, or related field
• Strong expertise in at least one of: Mammary epithelial biology or organoid systems; Cell division / mitosis / spindle dynamics; Genome instability or DNA damage responses
• Proven record of first-author publications in high-impact journals
• Experience with at least one of: Live-cell imaging or advanced microscopy; Mouse models or genetically engineered systems; Primary cell culture or organoid systems; Molecular perturbation (CRISPR, RNAi, etc.)

Nice To Haves

• Background in BRCA1, HMMR, PLK1, or related mitotic regulators
• Experience in epithelial polarity or tissue architecture
• Quantitative or systems biology approaches (imaging analytics, proteomics, or genomics)
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Conducting basic/translational research in one or more of the above research focus areas
• Design and execute research plans
• Perform data analyses
• Contribute to writing manuscripts and grants
• Present research findings in internal and external meetings
• Mentor junior trainees in the laboratory

Benefits

• Access to human tissue models and state-of-the-art imaging platforms
• Strong mentorship toward academic independence or research scientist careers
• Integration into a collaborative translational pediatric, adolescent and young adult oncology network

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree