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Research Assistant 1, Deeley Research Centre
BC Cancer 
Victoria, BC

 

BC Cancer Victoria’s Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre is a world-class cancer research facility specializing in cancer immunotherapy. We are seeking a Research Assistant I (RA1) to support the development of novel therapies designed to enhance anti-cancer immune responses. This is a two-year position with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and performance.

 

Under the supervision of the Staff Scientist, the successful applicant will play a key role in studies that support the advancement of cutting-edge immunotherapies toward clinical application. This role provides an opportunity to build a diverse technical skill set across in vivo and in vitro platforms while strengthening core research competencies. Responsibilities will include the maintenance of transgenic mouse breeding colonies, execution of in vitro assays, and the performance of general laboratory duties such as data management, record keeping, and routine lab maintenance. The position may also require occasional work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and evenings.

 

In this role, the RA1 will perform or assist with small animal handling, husbandry, and procedures; studies involving mouse tumour models; mammalian cell culture using primary and tumour-derived cell lines; protein-based assays such as acrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting; gene engineering and the generation of recombinant viruses; amplification, purification, and titration of lentiviruses and oncolytic viruses; and DNA isolation and genotyping. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support ongoing research activities.

 

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant discipline such as Biology or Biochemistry, or an equivalent credential such as an Animal Health Technologist certificate; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may also be considered. A minimum of one year of recent experience in a research laboratory and/or animal facility is required. Candidates should have knowledge of animal ethics and CCAC guidelines, demonstrated experience in accurate and detailed record-keeping, strong communication skills, and a track record of responsible decision-making. Success in this position requires the ability to prioritize effectively, adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic research environment, and accurately follow established SOPs.
 

What you’ll do

  • Under supervision, performs skilled routine laboratory work such as tissue culture preparation, specimen preparation and staining, applying biomarkers, chromatography, specialized use of microscope.
  • Performs animal studies such as drug administration and treatment monitoring.
  • Utilizes quantitative image analysis techniques to analyze histological and cytological specimens.
  • Maintains cell lines.
  • Performs computer data entry and prepares standard reports of study results.
  • Participates in data analysis.
  • Maintains and stores test materials and products.
  • Maintains laboratory supplies and equipment. 


What you bring

 

Qualifications:

  • A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to completion of Grade 12, supplemented by recognized university level science courses; plus one (1) year of recent related experience in a research laboratory.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
  • Knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including 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, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and  how they intersect across the health care system.

 

Core Competencies:

  • Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
  • 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.).

You have:

  • Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others.
  • Knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

 

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 and development.
  • 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).
  • Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until February 2, 2028)

Salary Range: $43,758- $57,432 per 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: 2410 Lee Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5  

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 0830-1630.

Requisition Number: 192519E

 

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA** 

 

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.


Attention current employees of PHSA:  

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca. 

 

The internal job posting expires on January 12, 2026, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. 

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. 

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.

 

 

Privacy Policy

Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) respects your right to privacy and takes seriously its responsibilities regarding the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of BC, section 26 (c). The personal information that we collect from you or about you when applying for a job with PHSA will be used to assess your qualifications and suitability as a potential employee of PHSA, as well as for the purposes of recruitment and onboarding. We may also collect and use additional personal information provided by you or your references in the course of the evaluation and hiring process that will become part of your employment file if you are a successful candidate.

Your contact information, education and experience, desired job location and pay information, eligibility and availability, core skills, job functions, getting to know you responses, resumes, cover letters, references, pre-screening questionnaire responses and job application history is recorded in PHSA’s third-party applicant tracking system (“Brainhunter”)in Canada indefinitely and will be shared with our staff on a “need to know” basis. If you require access to your data, PHSA can provide a printout of your data and job application history. We do not sell or rent the information you provide to us to third parties. However, we do contract with a service provider to assist us in maintaining and managing our databases and to communicate with job applicants. We do not authorize this third party to make any other use of your information.

The service provider (“Brainhunter”) allows the option for you to delete your account after signing into the system. Before deletion you are advised with a warning. Your record is permanently purged / deleted from the respective site and the record will not be available in any searches. The job will have only the respective application information that you made previously.

To view the third party vendor privacy policy please refer https://www.brainhunter.com/EN/Privacypolicy.html.

Under certain circumstances, some personal information may be disclosed pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of B.C. For example, where we believe in good faith that the law requires disclosure of such information in response to legal process and law enforcement rights. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day operating practices as part of PHSA's continuing commitment to the protection of personal information it holds. View our PHSA Privacy Policy.

If you have any questions about the management of your personal information during the recruitment process, please contact the Manager, Talent Acquisition at 604-875-7251, toll free 1-866-744-7363 or #260 – 1770 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V6J 4Y6. You may also contact External Recruitment at careers@phsa.ca.