Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 Team UHN 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

Job Description

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
Site: Toronto General Hospital Research Institute at the University Health Network
Department: Toronto General Hospital Research Institute
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Status: Temporary Full-Time
Closing Date: November 28, 2025

Who we are

Research in the Vasconcelos lab (www.vasconceloslab.com) is focused on cardiovascular disease and diabetes with the aim of developing cell-based vascularization strategies for regenerative medicine applications. These include vascularized engineered tissues for replacement therapies, disease modeling, and organ-on-a-chip engineering. Our ultimate goal is to develop new treatments for heart disease and diabetes.

What we offer

• A welcoming, dynamic, international team with cross-disciplinary expertise in pluripotent stem cell biology, cardiovascular research, tissue engineering, animal surgery, diabetes
• The opportunity to work at the forefront of regenerative medicine with a focus towards clinical translation
• The opportunity to interact with a wide network of international collaborators
• The opportunity to join Toronto’s vibrant research community

What we are looking for

A driven, motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on a project related to the developing human pluripotent stem cell-based vascularization therapies for regenerative medicine applications. The start date for this position is flexible (Summer/Fall 2025).

The successful candidate with use state-of-the-art data from single cell and spatial transcriptomics data from microvessel-based vascularization (Sun, Sci. Transl. Med 2020; Aghazadeh, Cell Stem Cell 2021) to uncover the molecular blueprint of successful vascularization and to apply findings to coach human PSC-derived endothelial cells to successfully vascularize grafts in heart and islets.

The postdoctoral fellow will:

• Use state of the art data, single cell and spatial transcriptomics data from microvessel-based vascularization to uncover the molecular underpinnings of effective vascularization in adult grafts
• Use genetically modified mouse models and intravital microscopy to define key cell types, and communication nodes in vascularization therapies
• Modulate key communication nodes to improve vascularization of PSC-derive endothelial cells
• Perform immunohistological analysis of grafts
• Test different candidates in vascularized engineered tissues in vivo or in vitro in microphysiological systems
• Work with collaborators to mathematically model key aspects of vascularization in silico

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Received a PHD or MD degree within the past 3 years, within the field of vascular biology
• Experience with transgenic mouse models
• Experience in manipulating cells genetically with ModRNAs and/or CRISPR-Cas and performing their charactarization
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and imaging
• Effective organizational, time management and prioritization skills
• Strong problem recognition and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to effectively work as part of a team

The following would be considered as valuable assets:

• Experience with human iPSCs/ESCs endothelial cells
• Experience with spinning disk microscopy

Additional Information

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.