Research Associate; Limited Term

Position Overview

The Department of Molecular Genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time position of Research Associate (Limited Term) to participate in research focused on the cellular and molecular characterization of spinal cord development and gene regulation of cell lineage. The research lab is housed in Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, an interdisciplinary research institute where researchers make fundamental discoveries in biology to improve health.

The Libby Lab seeks to uncover the mechanisms that regulate tissue formation, using the developing spinal cord as a model system, with the goal of leveraging this knowledge to inform intervention strategies for congenital neural tube defects.

The candidate will be responsible for the development and application of multiplexed CRISPR screening and lineage tracing techniques in human stem cell differentiations and chick embryo models to identify novel regulators of spinal cord development. The candidate would also be responsible for training other research members and managing daily lab operations. Responsibilities will include the design, planning and execution of all experiments relevant to the project in addition to maintaining lab inventories and managing the ordering system.

The individual will also be required to present their work to Principal Investigators, at conferences and to other members of the research lab.

• Designing, planning, directing, executing, analyzing research projects.
• Ensuring biosafety procedures and laboratory biohazard and chemical inventory.
• Maintain research equipment and train research lab members in its use.
• Reading published papers relevant to the experiments being performed and adapting procedures accordingly.
• Monitor project budgets and purchase consumables and services necessary to carry out project activities.
• Preparing manuscripts for submission to peer reviewed publications/journals.
• Presenting findings at local, national, and international conferences.

This Research Associate position requires a Ph.D. in molecular/cellular or developmental biology with 3+ years of pluripotent stem cell research. The successful applicant will have demonstrated experience, academic knowledge, and proficiency to mentor in all aspects of the following specialties: genomic analysis (RNA sequencing, qPCR); management of compound and sample storage; molecular biology (including primer and vector design, cloning and transformation);

microscopy (including sample prep, high resolution imaging and data analysis); cell culture (maintenance of cell line inventory, pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation, lentiviral library construction, mammalian cell line transfection and infection, and decontamination procedures). Experience in embryology is a strong asset. Experience with project management and a demonstrated record of training and mentoring staff at all levels is a strong asset.

The candidate must exhibit a strong publication record, with papers in internationally competitive, peer‑reviewed journals.

Term: Three (3) year term position.

Closing Date: 03/10/2026, 11:59 PM ET

Schedule: Full‑Time

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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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