Staff Scientist 1,Nelson Lab Startup

BC Cancer 

Vancouver, BC

 

 

This is a regular full-time staff position and a non-academic option for Research Associates who have completed their term(s) at PHSA and are transitioning from the academic path to begin conducting scientific research outside the academic research stream.  It is also suitable for individuals who have gained experience at external organizations and who meet the required qualification criteria.  The staff scientist performs the duties of a Research Associate but works with more independence.    Role Summary   Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, these positions propose experimental hypotheses, design experimental questions and protocols, and plan, coordinate, conduct and report on assigned research projects.  They evaluate research data, revise techniques and develop new methods and approaches to solve scientific problems.

 

 

 

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.  Notifies Principal Investigator of issues related to laboratory protocols and experimental designs and recommends solutions.
  Prepares Research Ethics Board applications and amendments as required, and ensures compliance with Research Ethics Board guidelines.
• Develop new laboratory methods and modifies existing procedures to facilitate research projects.
• Collect, record, analyze, validate, interpret and organizes experimental and research data and communicates scientific findings to Principal Investigator.  Recommends research direction based on preliminary findings in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
  Sources funding opportunities and provides input into writing research proposals and developing budget for grant applications.
• Writes grants to secure funding in support of research projects when permitted by funding agency and supported by the Department
• Work with department administration to monitor and report on project budget and expenditures to ensure prudent use of financial resources.
• Conduct regular literature reviews relating to research areas.  Contributes intellectual and scientific input to manuscripts for publications.  Presents research findings at national and/or international conferences.
• Facilitate constructive and collaborative relationships with both the Principal Investigator and internal and external research partners.

 

 

Additional Duties:

 

• Developing resources and capabilities that enable the discovery, development and manufacturing of antibody based therapeutics and applying these resources to antibody development projects.
• Create and manage project plans that meet budget and calendar milestones while accounting  for dependencies and risks
• Preparing and submitting progress reports on program/project activities to supervisors, partners and funders
• Contribute to the preparation, submission and revision of applications to Health Canada, Research Ethics Boards, oversight committees, external accrediting bodies, and internal Quality Management Systems.
• Identify and remove barriers to project success, with emphasis on resolving issues and establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships within and across teams and departments.

 

 

 

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 initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness 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 you bring

 

 

Qualifications:

 

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Ph.D. in a related scientific field plus five (5) years of recent, relevant post-doctoral research experience.

 

 

Nice to Have: 

 

• Expertise in the theory and practice of therapeutic antibody discovery and development, including principles, methods, equipment, analytical approaches, and quality attributes.
• A PhD degree in immunology or a closely related discipline, and relevant postdoctoral experience in the antibody discovery and development.

• A publication record demonstrating contributions to the field of antibody discovery and development.

• A working knowledge of best practices in quality management, biomanufacturing (including GMP guidelines) and regulatory compliance.

• Computer literacy, in particular with respect to analytical software tools relevant to antibody discovery and development.

• Ability to work under pressure, managing multiple resource-intensive projects, within a fast paced, deadline driven environment.

• Ability to accept responsibility and to work independently when required.

• Ability to build strong, positive relationships with vendors, suppliers and partners.

• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in the performance of duties.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, orally and in writing.

• Ability to effectively and appropriately supervise and motivate direct reports

 

 

 

 

You have:

 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• 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 health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within [insert name of Program Area] 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, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, 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 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
• 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 March 31, 2027)
Salary: $74,618 - $107,264 per annum. 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.
Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver  BC V5Z 1G1    
Hours of work: Monday - Friday; 0830-1630.
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. 
Requisition Number: 194919E

 

 

 

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). 

 

 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (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 is 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 February 19, 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.