Research Associate, Clinical Genomics Informatics Vancouver

Research Associate, Clinical Genomics Informatics

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) of the BC Cancer Research Institute is a state-of-the-art, large-scale, high-throughput, clinically accredited genomics and bioinformatics facility located in one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world.

As a Research Associate within the Centre for Clinical Genomics Informatics team at the GSC, you will play a pivotal role in advancing clinical bioinformatics capabilities by developing, validating, and optimizing workflows and pipelines to support cutting-edge genomic technologies. The Research Associate will report to the Team leader and is anchored within a team of exceptional computational scientists, programmers and clinical researchers, who collaborate directly on the development and maintenance of robust, cost efficient, and competitive clinical genomics pipelines.

This is an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a science-oriented, creative and dynamic environment. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and significant career development opportunities.

This position is initially funded for two years.

About the GSC

Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) Today's Research. Tomorrow's Medicine.

The GSC is a department of the BC Cancer Research Institute and a high-throughput genome sequencing facility. We are leaders in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics in pursuit of novel treatment strategies for cancers and other diseases. Among the world's first genome centres to be established within a cancer clinic, for more than two decades our scientists and innovators have been designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies to benefit health and advance clinical research.

Among the GSC's most significant accomplishments are the first publication to demonstrate the use of whole-genome sequencing to inform cancer treatment planning, the first published sequence of the SARS coronavirus genome and major contributions to the first physical map of the human genome as part of the Human Genome Project.

By joining the GSC you will become part of an exceptional and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, experts and professionals operating at the leading edge of clinical research. We look for people who share our core values—science, timeliness, respect—to join us on our mission to use genome science for the betterment of health and society.

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.

Key Accountabilities:

• Developing clinical bioinformatics workflows for new projects that require quick turnarounds and/or reproducible results and, where relevant, containerizing them.
• Analyzing clinical sequencing data from technology development experiments in the lab, summarizing results and formally presenting findings in internal meetings and discussions, including at local, and national meetings.
• Supporting technological advances and providing recommendations to wet and dry lab production groups on new technology and workflow optimizations based on comparative analyses, often with custom bioinformatics tools and workflows.
• Facilitating the transfer of novel analysis pipelines and technologies into production, such as writing clinical validation documents, drafting Standard Operating Procedures, training production staff, and assisting with troubleshooting exercises.
• Training designated members of the clinical bioinformatics group in new or optimized analysis workflows. Writes or revises protocols accordingly.
• Identify processes/procedures that can improve and optimize the clinical validation process.
• Review data to identify opportunities to offer new or improved assays.
• Identify and pursues opportunities to publish in peer reviewed journals to contribute to the broader community.
• Perform other technical functions related to the Bioinformatics groups of the GSC.

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.

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 February 23, 2026)
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; 0830-1630
Requisition Number: 179405E

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 indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

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.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of February 14, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday - Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.