Job Summary
The Levings Research Lab within the Department of Surgery at the UBC Faculty of Medicine is seeking an ambitious and motivated Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF). The successful candidate will design, execute, and interpret research projects focused on developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies for autoimmune diseases and transplantation. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct innovative research with a direct clinical impact, spanning the entire translational pipeline—from fundamental Treg biology to first-in-human clinical trials.
Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Canada
Key Position Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Job Title / Designation | Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Job Category | Faculty Non-Bargaining |
| Department | Levings Research Lab, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine |
| Location | UBC Hospital Site – Vancouver, BC, Canada (Based at the translational research building at BCCHR) |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Expected Salary | $70,000 per year |
| Job End Date | September 15, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | August 31, 2026 (Until 11:59 PM) |
Core Research Areas
Projects will be tailored to the successful applicant’s scientific interests and career goals. Current focus areas include:
- Engineering next-generation Tregs using synthetic biology and gene engineering approaches.
- Developing in vivo strategies to generate antigen-specific Tregs using targeted delivery technologies (e.g., lipid nanoparticles).
- Discovering novel mechanisms by which Tregs establish and maintain immune tolerance.
- Designing combination therapies that induce long-term transplant tolerance, including testing in animal models.
- Developing manufacturing processes and translational platforms to advance engineered Treg therapies into clinical trials.
Job Description & Responsibilities
- Lead original research projects and develop cutting-edge research protocols.
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews, synthesize evidence, and identify knowledge gaps.
- In collaboration with the supervisor, write, edit, and prepare research projects and findings for publication.
- Develop, write, and edit highly competitive funding proposals for operating grants and fellowships.
- Mentor junior graduate students, undergraduate students, and work alongside laboratory technicians in a team-based environment.
- Maintain an accurate, detail-oriented workflow and handle confidential data with discretion.
- Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, cooperative, and supportive working environment.
- Work a flexible schedule, including additional hours on weekends, evenings, and early mornings as required by experimental timelines.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Required Education & Experience
- PhD Degree: Completed within the last five years (provisions made for career gaps) in Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Publication Record: A strong publication record demonstrating research excellence, including a minimum of one first-author publication.
- Technical Core: Demonstrated hands-on experience in immunology, molecular biology, and animal models.
Asset Skills & Techniques
Experience in any of the following fields will be considered a strong asset:
- Treg biology and translational immunology
- Cell or gene therapy culture
- Genome engineering and synthetic biology
- Lipid nanoparticle technologies
- Animal models of immune disease
Soft Skills & Professional Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Outstanding organizational skills with a strict attention to detail.
- Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and data analysis software.
- Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and maintain confidentiality.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates can apply directly through the official UBC Workday job portal by clicking the apply button on the UBC Faculty Positions Job Page.
Equity & Accessibility Note: UBC hires on the basis of merit and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including marginalized groups. Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you require accommodation or accessibility adjustments during the application process, you may reach out to the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
Last Date to Apply
Applications must be fully submitted by August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
