Postdoctoral Researcher

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-Union 
Number of Vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: Replacement
Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower
Department: Research
Reports To: Principal Investigator
Salary Range: $54,902 - $93,333 Per Year
Hours: 37.5 Hours Per Week
Shifts: Monday - Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time (1-Year Contract)
Closing Date: June 24, 2026

Position Summary:
A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Chan at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The Chan Laboratory studies the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leukemic stem cells, and clonal hematopoiesis (CH), with a strong translational focus on discovering and exploiting novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in pre-malignant and malignant myeloid cells.

This project will define the genetic and synthetic-lethal interactions of high-risk clonal hematopoiesis mutations, including TP53 and spliceosome (splicing factor) mutations, that drive the progression of CH to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and AML. The successful candidate will combine genetically engineered mouse models with genome-wide and focused CRISPR/Cas9 screens to uncover context-specific dependencies in mutant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The ultimate goal is to nominate new strategies to intercept high-risk clonal hematopoiesis and to prevent or treat myeloid malignancy.

Duties:

• Design, execute, and analyze pooled CRISPR/Cas9 screens (genome-wide and focused) in primary cells and cell-line models to identify synthetic-lethal and genetic interactions with high-risk CH mutations.
• Generate and characterize genetically engineered and transplantation mouse models of clonal hematopoiesis and myeloid malignancy, including colony management and in vivo experiments.
• Construct and produce lentiviral and/or retroviral vectors for gene knockout, knockdown, and overexpression.
• Perform a broad range of molecular and cellular biology techniques. E.g., molecular cloning, qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry and cell sorting, and primary hematopoietic cell culture.
• Analyze and integrate functional genomic and next-generation sequencing datasets in collaboration with the lab’s computational team.
• Maintain rigorous, well-documented records and adhere to laboratory quality, biosafety, and animal-care standards.
• Prepare manuscripts, figures, and presentations and present findings at lab meetings and scientific conferences.
• Contribute to grant writing and help conceive new research directions for the laboratory.
• Mentor and support graduate and undergraduate trainees as needed.

• Awarded a PhD within the previous 5 years, or an MD or DDS within the previous 10 years, in molecular biology, cancer biology, hematology, genetics, or a related discipline
• Strong hands-on molecular biology expertise, including CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing and screening - required.
• Experience designing and producing lentiviral (and/or retroviral) vectors - required.
• Demonstrated mouse handling and in vivo experimental experience (e.g., bone marrow transplantation, colony management, in vivo treatment studies) - required.
• Background in oncology, ideally in hematologic malignancies (AML, MDS, or clonal hematopoiesis) - strongly preferred.
• Flow cytometry and cell sorting, and primary hematopoietic cell culture - required.
• Familiarity with analysis of CRISPR-screen and/or NGS data (e.g., MAGeCK, DrugZ, R/Python) — an asset.
• A strong first-author publication record demonstrating productivity and technical rigour.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.