Research Associate (Limited Term, 2 years)
Full-time
Toronto, ON, Canada
CAD 55,661-104,364 / year
Research Associate (Limited Term, 2 years)
Date Posted: 11/12/2026
Req ID: 50984
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Pharmacy
Department: Faculty of Pharmacy
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: No
Your Opportunity:
The Research Associate will serve as a senior scientific leader within the lab and will work in close partnership with Dr. Bowen Li (Principal Investigator) to oversee and advance the lab’s nucleic acid therapeutics and non-viral delivery research portfolio. This role is designed for an experienced investigator capable of independently managing major components of the research enterprise, including scientific direction, personnel supervision, grant development, and experimental oversight. The Li Laboratory conducts multidisciplinary research focused on engineering lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and biomaterial delivery platforms for mRNA, circular RNA, suppressor tRNA, and genome-editing systems to address genetic pulmonary conditions (such as cystic fibrosis), mucosal vaccines, and cancer immunotherapy. The team works at the intersection of molecular bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry, and data-driven formulation screening.
The Research Associate will play a central leadership role in ensuring the scientific excellence, technical rigor, and translational advancement of the lab. The successful candidate will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and will oversee complex project milestones across molecular biology, gene editing, and pulmonary delivery models. This position is intended for a highly motivated and experienced investigator capable of operating with substantial independence. The Research Associate will be entrusted with significant responsibility for the scientific research functions of the lab and will be expected to contribute meaningfully to its high-impact publication output and grant portfolio growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct advanced academic research to achieve the research goals of the PI and lab, focusing on non-viral nucleic acid delivery, CRISPR-mediated gene targeting, and therapeutic mRNA/tRNA applications
- Independently conceptualize, design, and lead experimental studies in CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific gene integration, homology-directed repair optimization, and functional phenotypic rescue
- Formulate, optimize, and characterize lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and delivery vectors, establishing analytical and quality control assays for RNA encapsulation, biophysical properties, and stability
- Oversee and execute translational disease model pipelines, including air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of primary airway epithelial cells, organoids, and preclinical rodent models
- Lead the interpretation and dissemination of research findings through high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Lead preparation and submission of competitive grant applications (as Co-Investigator or lead contributor) to institutional, provincial, and federal agencies (e.g., CIHR, NSERC), and liaise on post-award scientific reporting
- Execute research projects and report on their progress through comprehensive oral presentations, written progress reports, and patent/intellectual property disclosures
- Maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with academic, clinical, and institutional research cores and external partners
- Present lab research and represent the group at institutional, national, and international scientific conferences and symposia
- Supervise and mentor graduate students (PhD and Master's), undergraduate research assistants, and technical trainees in laboratory techniques, experimental design, and data analysis
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Molecular Genetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a closely related biomedical discipline
- Minimum 2-4 years of postdoctoral research and/or research core experience in molecular biology, gene therapy, or nucleic acid therapeutics
- Demonstrated track record of leading multidisciplinary research projects and developing experimental platforms
- Evidence of active participation in grant writing and research proposal preparation, including institutional or federal funding
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact, field-relevant journals covering genome editing, viral/non-viral delivery, or respiratory/mucosal diseases
- Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and training graduate students and laboratory researchers
- In-depth technical expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, DNA repair pathway modulation, vector design, and primary airway epithelial cell/ALI culture models
- Practical experience in lipid nanoparticle formulation, RNA encapsulation assays, biophysical characterization, or preclinical animal disease models
- Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills with the proven ability to deliver on parallel research milestones within tight timelines
- Excellent scientific communication skills with proven ability to author peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports
Note: This is a term position for two (2) years.
Closing Date: 11/20/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea: Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Grant - Term. This is a term position for two (2) years.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $55,661 - $104,364
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching
Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.
Indigenous Substantiation Process
The University of Toronto has implemented a process to substantiate Indigenous Membership/Citizenship/Enrolment for candidates who identify as Indigenous. For more information about this process, please refer to the Indigenous Substantiation Website.
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