About the GSC
Advancing Genomics Technologies for Health and Life Sciences
The Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC), a provincial program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), is a recognized international leader in genomics, bioinformatics, and genome technology innovation. By developing and deploying cutting-edge sequencing and computational platforms, the GSC supports breakthrough research across cancer, rare and infectious diseases, and the broader life sciences. Our work enables earlier diagnosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and transformative applications of genomics to improve human health and environmental resilience—delivering both social and economic impact through science.
Job Reference No. PDF_01553_Postdoctoral Fellow_Jones Lab_2026_06_07
Background
The Parent-of-Origin-Aware genomic analysis (POAga) project is part of a major hereditary cancer genomics initiative focused on enhancing population cancer care through mainstream genome sequencing and parent-of-origin detection. The project will generate 6,585 short-read genomes from a diverse patient cohort, 900 long-read phased genomes with parent-of-origin data, 40 diverse POAga carriers to support cascade testing, and 60 parent-child trios for validation. The work includes short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing, Strand-seq, variant calling, methylation analysis, chromosome-scale phasing, and parent-of-origin assignment to improve hereditary cancer risk assessment and family-based follow-up.
The Sarcoma MetAstasis Research Taskforce (SMART) project aims to identify therapeutic targets relevant to preventing or treating metastasis and relapse in high-risk pediatric sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The project integrates multimodal molecular profiling of relapse and metastatic samples using single nuclei RNA sequencing, spatial proteomics, bulk DNA/RNA/methylation profiling, circulating tumor DNA analysis, extracellular vesicle profiling, and exploratory nanopore- and SERS-based assays for biomarker and assay development.
This Post Doctoral Fellow will provide dedicated computational expertise across both projects by building and operating reproducible analytical pipelines, integrating high-dimensional genomic and multi-omic datasets, supporting quality control and documentation, and helping translate complex molecular data into biologically and clinically meaningful findings. Both POAga and SMART depend on advanced sequencing and data integration workflows, making this position central to successful project delivery.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, maintain, and document reproducible bioinformatics workflows for short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing, methylation analysis, haplotype phasing, and parent-of-origin assignment for the POAga project.
- Support analysis of Strand-seq and long-read sequencing datasets, including alignment, variant calling, annotation, quality control, phasing, and integration with genomic and clinical metadata.
- Build and optimize analysis pipelines for SMART project datasets spanning bulk DNA/RNA/methylation profiling, single nuclei RNA-seq, spatial proteomics, ctDNA, extracellular vesicle profiling, and exploratory nanopore-based liquid biopsy assays.
- Integrate multimodal datasets to identify therapeutic targets, biomarkers of relapse and metastasis, and biologically meaningful patterns across patient samples and model systems.
- Generate analysis reports, figures, quality summaries, and data packages for collaborators, presentations, manuscripts, and project reporting.
- Work closely with investigators, trainees, clinical teams, and laboratory personnel to prioritize analyses, harmonize data standards, and support milestone completion across both projects.
- Contribute to data stewardship, metadata harmonization, workflow reproducibility, and preparation of research outputs consistent with institutional and project data governance requirements.
- These responsibilities reflect the sequencing, phasing, single-cell, spatial proteomics, ctDNA, and assay-development activities described in the POAga and SMART project materials.
Qualifications
- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Expertise in next-generation sequencing data analysis, preferably including Illumina short-read and Oxford Nanopore long-read platforms.
- Experience with one or more of the following: germline or cancer variant calling, structural variant analysis, copy-number analysis, methylation analysis, haplotype phasing, RNA-seq analysis, single-cell analysis, spatial omics, ctDNA analysis, or multi-omic data integration.
- Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience using workflow managers such as Nextflow, Snakemake, or CWL, version control tools such as Git, and high-performance computing environments.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex genomic datasets and produce reproducible, well-documented workflows.
- Familiarity with hereditary cancer genomics, cancer biology, translational genomics, liquid biopsy approaches, or pediatric cancer research is strongly preferred.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
- These qualifications are aligned with the technical methods and computational scope described for both projects.
Job Type:
Temporary Full-Time, 7.5 hrs. per day
Hybrid – onsite 3 days/week
Salary Range:
$70,000 to $75,000 p.a.
The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan.
Apply
Please submit a detailed cover letter and resume highlighting relevant research experience, interests and goals; and the names and contact details of three references to bcgscjobs@bcgsc.ca , using PDF_01553_Postdoctoral Fellow_Jones Lab_2026_06_07 in the subject line of your email.
While we value and review all applications, please note that due to the volume of submissions only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This posting will remain online until the position is filled.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
Important!
COVID-19 vaccines protect against infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) that causes COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been added to the list of high-priority immunizations recommended for health-care workers. Health care workers should ensure they are up-to-date on all routine immunizations.
Please note all jobs at the GSC are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Flexible work options may be available for this position upon request and is subject to change in accordance with GSC’s operational needs and PHSA’s Flexible Work Options Policy.
We believe that equity, diversity and inclusivity are essential for the advancement of human knowledge and science.
We welcome all applicants and provide all employees with equal opportunity for advancement, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, conviction of a criminal or summary conviction offence unrelated to their employment.
