Postdoctoral Fellow | Temporary Full Time (1.0 FTE) | CHEO Research Institute

Position

Postdoctoral Fellow, Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy

New Position

Term: Full-time (FTE 1.0) – 1 year contract, with possibility of extension

Reports to: Principal Investigator, Dr. Zakia Djaoud

About CHEO Research Institute

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute Inc. ("CHEO RI") is the research arm of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre ("CHEO") and an affiliated research institute of the University of Ottawa.

We respectfully acknowledge that CHEO RI is located on the unceded, traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek People, who have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial. We honour their enduring presence and the ways their culture and stewardship have shaped and continue to nurture this land. CHEO RI also recognizes and values the historic and ongoing contributions of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

CHEO is a deeply trusted institution and workplace, widely regarded as a cornerstone of our community. CHEO RI advances this legacy by generating new knowledge and evidence to support CHEO in delivering world‑class care to children and youth. Our mission is to connect exceptional talent and innovative technologies to pursue life‑changing research for every child, youth, and family in our community and beyond.

About the Role

The Djaoud laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong background in immunology, particularly T cell biology and innate lymphocytes. The successful candidate will lead innovative research projects investigating the biology, function and therapeutic potential of human innate lymphocytes, with a particular focus on γδ T cells and NK cells.

The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to projects integrating high-dimensional flow cytometry, multi-omics approaches, functional immune assays, and translational studies using human samples and in vivo models. The candidate will have opportunities to develop independent research directions while contributing to a collaborative and dynamic research environment focused on advancing novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and highly motivated scientist with strong technical expertise in primary immune cell culture, human sample processing, flow cytometry, molecular biology and immune profiling approaches. Experience with spectral flow cytometry, single-cell technologies, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or animal models is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will participate in all aspects of research activities, including experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation, grant development, preparation of scientific presentations, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate trainees. The candidate should demonstrate scientific independence, strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious scientist to develop expertise in cutting-edge immunology approaches and contribute to impactful research in human immune biology and cancer immunotherapy.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of Dr. Djaoud, the Postdoctoral Fellow will:

• Design, optimize and execute experiments to address key research objectives and project milestones.
• Develop and implement experimental strategies using advanced immunological approaches, including high-dimensional flow cytometry, functional immune assays, multi-omics approaches, and molecular techniques.
• Process and analyze human biological samples according to established ethical and biosafety requirements.
• Analyze, interpret and communicate complex biological datasets.
• Generate publication-quality figures, presentations, and scientific reports.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and ensure compliance with laboratory procedures.
• Independently manage research projects and develop weekly experimental plans.
• Prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects effectively.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, scientific conferences, and collaborator meetings.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, submission, and revision.
• Contribute to grant applications and progress reports.
• Assist with preparation and renewal of animal care protocols and Research Ethics Board (REB) applications.
• Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to a positive and collaborative laboratory environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in immunology and immune cell biology.
• Extensive experience with sterile cell culture techniques and primary immune cell handling.
• Experience processing and working with human biological samples.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis and scientific interpretation skills.
• Ability to communicate scientific concepts clearly through written and oral presentations.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team.
• Demonstrated professionalism, collegiality and commitment to scientific excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience with γδ T cells, NK cells or other innate lymphocyte populations.
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry and high-dimensional immune profiling.
• Experience with multi-omics technologies (e.g., single-cell sequencing, TCR sequencing, ATAC-seq) and/or bioinformatics analysis.
• Experience with animal models of disease.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications.

Working Conditions

• Work in a clinical hospital setting with regular possible with children and their parents and/or caregivers.
• Flexibility to work on-site, with occasional remote work as required.

Other Requirements

• Eligible to work in Canada;
• Compliance with CHEO RI's occupational health, immunization, and health‑surveillance requirements, as applicable to the role and work environment.
• Completion of a Police Record Check, in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

How to Apply

Please send a complete CV and cover letter to Dr. Zakia Djaoud by email to: zdjaoud@cheo.on.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodation and Equity

The CHEO Research Institute values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer who value diverse perspectives and support people to be their authentic selves. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants. Should an applicant require any accommodations during the application process, as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, please notify Human Resources at researchhr@cheo.on.ca.

The CHEO Research Institute seeks to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of its activities, including research, education and career development, patient, family and donor partnerships. We value diverse and non-traditional career paths and perspectives, and value skills such as resilience, collaboration, and relationship-building. We welcome applications from members of racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gen…