Postdoctoral Researcher - ADVANCED BIOIMAGING FACILITY (ABIF)

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With a strong focus on interdisciplinary research, the Postdoctoral Fellow will contribute to the scientific, technical, and operational excellence of the Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF). The successful candidate will work closely with ABIF imaging scientists to advance facility capabilities, support users through training and consultation, and lead innovative technical development projects. More information about the ABIF can be found at: http://www.mcgill.ca/abif.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Technical Development & Innovation

• Lead and document quality control (QC) workflows for ABIF imaging systems, including performance monitoring, calibration, and instrument benchmarking.
• Develop, optimize, and standardize experimental and imaging protocols, contributing to improved reproducibility and methodological rigor across the facility.
• Evaluate new imaging technologies, software tools, and analysis pipelines, providing recommendations for facility upgrades or procedural improvements.

2. User Support & Training

• Support consultations with ABIF users and provide advice on experimental design, imaging strategies, and data workflows.
• Deliver one-on-one training for a range of imaging modalities, including widefield, confocal laser scanning, and advanced fluorescence microscopy.
• Be available to help users with troubleshooting support.

3. Facility Operations & Maintenance

• Contribute to routine facility operations, including coordination of shared resources and oversight of instrument scheduling and uptime.
• Perform and document regular maintenance of imaging systems; troubleshoot technical issues and liaise with vendors as needed.
• Support safety and compliance procedures, including hazardous waste handling and proper use of facility equipment.

4. Education & Outreach

• Stay current with the scientific literature in microscopy, imaging technologies, and computational analysis.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of ABIF courses, workshops, and community events.
• Participate in seminars, conferences, and training opportunities to maintain cutting-edge knowledge.

Required Qualifications & Experience

PhD in a relevant field, including Biophysics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or related disciplines. Extensive hands-on experience with light microscopy, including widefield and confocal laser scanning microscopy, with some theoretical understanding of imaging principles. Experience in quantitative imaging, quality control, benchmarking, and/or protocol development. Ability to manage diverse, rapidly changing responsibilities in fast-paced, collaborative research environments. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to users with varying levels of expertise. Ability to work independently and efficiently, while also contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Assets (Highly Desirable)

• Experience developing or implementing quality control programs or long-term performance monitoring.
• Familiarity with computational image analysis, scripting (Python, MATLAB), or machine learning-based image workflows.
• Experience with method development, imaging assay optimization, or pipeline standardization in a core facility or collaborative research environment.
• Background in advanced microscopy techniques such as super resolution, spectral, lightsheet, FLIM, or STED imaging.
• Experience with immunofluorescence labeling techniques.
• Experience with cell culture, molecular biology, or live cell imaging.
• Familiarity with major imaging software platforms, including FIJI/ImageJ, Imaris, LAS X, ZEN, OMERO, or similar tools.
• Prior involvement in training, teaching, or curriculum development for microscopy.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in French.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast paced research environment.

Job Information

Start date: As soon as possible.

$50,000 CAD plus ~25% benefits depending on experience.

1-year contract with potential for renewal depending on funding.

Send a cover letter expressing interest and qualifications for the position, CV and names of three references to [email protected]

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Only select applicants will be contacted for interviews.

The position is full-time in person onsite at McGill university.

You will have a desk in Bellini Building Rm137, 3649 Prom. Sir William Osler, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 0B1 where you will have access to a desktop computer, network and statistical and image analysis software.

The postdoctoral appointment will not involve any clinical service to hospital or medical patients or any form of medical practice in any setting.

In this position, as you are receiving more than 25% of your funding from McGill research funds, you are considered a unionized employee, part of the Association of McGill University Research Employees - AMURE/Postdocs (PSAC) bargaining unit. For further information, consult the text of the collective agreement, which can be found at: https://www.mcgill.ca/hr/files/hr/collective_agreement_-_post_docs_-_2023-2026_-_final_-_with_signture.pdf.

We wish to bring to your attention that should the source of your funding change in the future, it may affect your status as a unionized employee of the University.

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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, [email protected].