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The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Research Associate to contribute to dynamic research projects in systems immunology, microbiome research, clinical research, and animal model studies.
Position Summary
The Research associate in systems Immunology provides senior scientific, operational, and administrative leadership across a multidisciplinary research program within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the RI-MUHC. The incumbent develops and conducts research projects in systems immunology, microbiome research, clinical research, and animal model studies, while providing scientific leadership, project coordination, regulatory oversight, and mentorship within the research team. Working closely with investigators, research staff, trainees, collaborators, technology platforms, funding agencies, and ethics committees, the Research Associate supports the successful planning, execution, dissemination, and administration of complex research initiatives and contributes to the advancement of the program's strategic research objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develops and conducts research projects and activities that support the strategic objectives of the Systems Immunology research program.
- Provides scientific leadership in the development, implementation, and advancement of research projects involving systems immunology, microbiome research, clinical research, and animal model studies.
- Develops research protocols, standard operating procedures, processes, and procedures to ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, quality assurance, and achievement of research objectives.
- Establishes the design and development of research methods, study frameworks, data collection approaches, analytical strategies, and interpretation of research findings.
- Plans and leads clinical research activities, including the coordination of research studies, oversight of sample management activities, and support of clinical research personnel.
- Plans and leads animal model and host-microbiome research initiatives to address key scientific questions and support translational research objectives.
- Leads the analysis and interpretation of research findings and supports the dissemination of results through publications, grant applications, reports, scientific presentations, and stakeholder communications.
- Writes theoretical or methodological reports, scientific papers, articles, and other scholarly outputs resulting from research activities.
- Organizes, distributes, and verifies the work of research personnel, including research staff, postdoctoral fellows, research fellows, and undergraduate and graduate student researchers.
- Provides direct supervision, scientific guidance, and mentorship to research personnel and monitors progress toward research objectives, milestones, and deliverables.
- Plans and leads training, mentoring, and professional development activities related to research methods, project implementation, scientific communication, research governance, grant preparation, publication activities, and career progression.
- Serves as a senior scientific resource and provides guidance on the design, development, implementation, and application of systems immunology and microbiome research approaches.
- Plans and leads multidisciplinary research projects, ensuring alignment of scientific objectives, timelines, resources, budgets, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations.
- Coordinates research activities among investigators, research teams, collaborating institutions, technology platforms, and external partners to facilitate project progression and successful achievement of research objectives.
- Monitors project progress, identifies challenges, and develops strategies to support the successful achievement of project objectives.
- Coordinates activities related to the receipt, processing, storage, distribution, transfer, and shipment of biological and clinical samples and other research materials supporting research initiatives.
- Prepares and maintains documentation associated with sample transfer, shipment, and research material management activities.
- Coordinates the preparation, organization, curation, documentation, sharing, archiving, and stewardship of research data and associated project records throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinates and oversees research ethics submissions, amendments, renewals, annual reports, and compliance activities associated with research projects.
- Prepares and manages documentation required by research ethics committees, animal ethics committees, institutional review boards, biosafety committees, funding agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
- Develops and maintains processes for monitoring regulatory obligations and supporting compliance with institutional, provincial, national, and international requirements.
- Identifies and addresses compliance risks through planning, communication, stakeholder engagement, and proactive research oversight.
- Acts as a liaison between research teams and governance, ethics, and regulatory offices to facilitate the timely preparation and submission of research documentation.
- Develops and maintains productive working relationships with researchers, collaborators, industry partners, clinical teams, technology platforms, service providers, funding bodies, and external stakeholders.
- Serves as a primary point of contact for research collaborations and project stakeholders, facilitating communication, knowledge exchange, and collaborative activities.
- Prepares and writes grant applications, research proposals, budgets, progress reports, final reports, and other documents supporting research funding activities.
- Coordinates the collection, organization, and synthesis of scientific, operational, and financial information required for funding submissions and reporting obligations.
- Maintains comprehensive records of research activities and collaborates with finance and administrative personnel to support compliance with funding requirements, reporting obligations, and budget expectations.
- Performs various administrative tasks related to research projects, including coordination of project activities, monitoring deliverables, preparation of research materials, and support of research operations.
- Contributes to the efficient and effective functioning of the research unit through professional conduct, continuous improvement initiatives, and support of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Ensures that all research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable ethical, regulatory, biosafety, institutional, and funding requirements.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Systems Immunology, or a closely related discipline.
Experience and Skills
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in immunology, microbiology, systems immunology, microbiome research, or a closely related field.
- Advanced specialized knowledge of systems immunology, microbiology, immunology, microbiome research, clinical research, and animal model research.
- Demonstrated experience developing and conducting independent research projects and multidisciplinary research initiatives.
- Experience establishing research methods, study designs, data collection approaches, analytical strategies, and interpretation of research findings.
- Experience supervising, training, mentoring, and coordinating the work of research staff, fellows, and student researchers.
- Experience preparing scientific publications, technical reports, research proposals, grant applications, and funding reports.
- Experience coordinating complex research projects involving multiple collaborators, institutions, and stakeholders.
- Experience with research ethics submissions, regulatory compliance requirements, and research governance processes.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Experience supporting the dissemination of research findings through scientific publications, presentations, reports, and stakeholder communications.
- Bonus: Strong organizational, project management, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Language requirement:
- Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing.
- The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.
This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.
Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.
Hourly Salary:
$35.37
Hours per Week:
40 (Full time)
Location:
Life Sciences Bldg .
Supervisor:
Associate Director, Administration
Position Start Date:
2027-01-01
Position End Date:
2027-12-31
Deadline to Apply:
2026-10-08
This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
