Research Associate in DNA nanotechnology

Research Associate

The School of Engineering (SoE) in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan campus invites applications for a full-time, Research Associate in the area of DNA nanotechnology with an anticipated start date of May 1, 2027 or a date to be mutually agreed upon. The appointment is a two year term, with the possibility of extension subject to work performance and funding availability.

The Research Associate will co-lead the day-to-day operation of Professor William L. Hughes's laboratory in the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan. Professor Hughes is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in DNA Engineering, a Professor in the Faculty of Applied Science in Vancouver, and Director of the School of Engineering in the Okanagan.

The role bridges fundamental and applied research in DNA nanotechnology, molecular self-assembly and molecular computing, advancing ideas from discovery through technology development and transfer. Working across materials, biological and information sciences, the Research Associate connects molecular design principles to functional structures, devices and circuits and identifies barriers to their practical use. Research spans biomedical and non-biomedical applications, including Nucleic Acid Memory (NAM), within a broader program of programmable molecular systems. The position combines rigorous research, student mentorship, publications, funding development, intellectual property and partnerships that support translation into useful technologies.

The position is based in the School of Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, at UBC Okanagan and reports to Professor William L. Hughes. The Research Associate works with undergraduate and graduate students, laboratory personnel, faculty and external partners, and represents the principal investigator and laboratory in research meetings and other stakeholder settings.

The Research Associate develops collaborations across both UBC campuses, including the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL), and with clinical, government and industry partners. Working with relevant UBC technology-transfer colleagues and other specialists, the Research Associate helps identify applications, assess user needs and advance promising discoveries toward adoption.

The Research Associate is expected to foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative research environment and support equitable opportunities for students, trainees, staff, and collaborators from diverse backgrounds. The position requires interaction with individuals across disciplines, institutions, and communities while contributing to UBC's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The successful candidate will work with Professor Hughes to establish research priorities, scientific objectives and development goals. They are expected to exercise independent day-to-day scientific judgment in research design, experimental planning, troubleshooting and data interpretation as well as seek guidance and approval on major changes in research scope, significant resource commitments, external partnerships, intellectual property and other matters with broader laboratory or institutional implications. The duties and responsibilities are:

• Investigate fundamental questions in DNA nanotechnology, molecular self-assembly and molecular computing. Use modelling and controlled experiments to connect sequence, structure, thermodynamics and kinetics to assembly pathways and function.
• Design, synthesize, troubleshoot and characterize static and dynamic DNA structures, devices and circuits, using DNA origami, DNA bricks and other programmable assemblies to organize biological and non-biological components.
• Develop molecular systems for information storage and processing, including technologies to read, write, store and edit information in DNA across space, time and/or sequence.
• Develop DNA nanotechnology for biomedical applications, integrating scientific and technical development with clinical needs, health technology assessment and regulatory considerations. Work with appropriate specialists to assess pathways relevant to the intended application and jurisdiction.
• Identify scientific, technical, clinical, regulatory, market and adoption barriers to DNA nanotechnology-based solutions. Use research, market analysis and engagement with potential users and customers to prioritize barriers and develop evidence-based strategies to address them.
• Use appropriate methods, including spectroscopy, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), super-resolution microscopy (SRM) and/or DNA-PAINT, to characterize molecular structure and function. Establish controls, reproducible protocols, quantitative analysis and traceable research records.
• Assess technology readiness and define performance criteria with collaborators and potential users. Evaluate predictability, reproducibility, reliability, stability, scalability and integration requirements, using the findings to guide research and development toward biomedical and non-biomedical applications.
• Co-lead laboratory operations and train highly qualified personnel (HQP), including undergraduate and graduate researchers, while modelling inclusive excellence and responsible research practice.
• Develop competitive proposals and seek funding as principal investigator, co-investigator and/or senior personnel, where eligible. Manage budgets, milestones and resources across fundamental and applied research.
• Lead publications from conception to completion. Identify potentially protectable discoveries, prepare invention disclosures and support patent development and portfolio management with UBC technology-transfer colleagues, coordinating publication and other disclosure with intellectual property considerations.
• Build academic, government and industry partnerships. Support technology-transfer plans, validation and documentation for licensing, collaborative development, start-up formation or other appropriate routes to adoption.
• Lead the coordination of research ethics board (REB) or institutional review board (IRB) submissions and clinical and regulatory documentation for relevant biomedical projects. Work with university colleagues, clinicians, ethics and regulatory specialists, and relevant authorities and international partners, as appropriate.
• May contribute to student training and mentorship within the research program, supervision of undergraduate and graduate student research activities, assistance with laboratory instruction, and participation in research seminars and workshops.
• Connects training in experimental design, safe practice, data analysis and communication to fundamental inquiry and technology development.
• The primary focus is research; however, the individual may be provided with an opportunity to teach undergraduate and graduate courses as a Sessional Lecturer and will be compensated accordingly.

Required qualifications include:

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with research experience relevant to programmable molecular systems.
• Research Associate experience, or postdoctoral experience obtained in multiple laboratories, relevant to DNA nanotechnology, molecular self-assembly, molecular computing, and/or biotechnology.
• Extensive experience designing, synthesizing, troubleshooting, and characterizing DNA nanostructures or molecular devices, with a strong understanding of the roles of sequence design, thermodynamics, and kinetics in self-assembly and function.
• Demonstrated expertise in DNA origami, DNA bricks, or related programmable molecular platforms, including applications in molecular information storage, molecular computing, dynamic DNA systems, or related technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative research programs that integrate fundamental scientific questions with experimental design, quantitative analysis, and technology development.
• Experience developing and operating a research laboratory, supervising and mentoring highly qualified personnel (HQP), and fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and responsible research environment.
• Proven success in competitive proposal development, research funding acquisition, and grant administration, including budget management.
• Strong record of research excellence, evidenced by high-quality publications, intellectual property contributions, and advancement of discoveries toward technology development, translation, or commercialization.
• Demonstrated experience in translational research, including preclinical and/or clinical research, REB/IRB processes, and regulatory considerations relevant to medical devices, therapeutics, combination products, or emerging health technologies.
• Experience with advanced quantitative characterization techniques such as spectroscopy, electron microscopy, AFM, SRM, DNA-PAINT, or other relevant analytical methods.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic, industry, clinical, regulatory, and community stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to advance multidisciplinary research initiatives.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in nucleic acid memory, DNA-based information processing, molecular circuits, or systems integrating self-assembly, sensing, computation, and actuation.
• Experience advancing technologies through prototype development, validation, technology transfer, commercialization, licensing, patents, start-up ventures, or industry adoption.
• Experience working within interdisciplinary and international research environments spanning academia, healthcare, government, and industry.
• Experience evaluating scalability, integration, manufacturability, and practical implementation requirements for emerging technologies.
• Experience teaching biotechnology fundamentals, biotechnology applications, or related subjects.
• Interest in pursuing an academic, translational research, and/or entrepreneurial career path.

The University of British Columbia's primary language of instruction and research is English. Accordingly, applicants must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

The expected salary for this position is $79,872 per year, the position is subject to budgetary approval.

The successful candidate will be eligible for UBC's comprehensive employee benefits package, including health and dental coverage, pension benefits, and other programs available to eligible faculty employees. For details, see https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits.

Applications must be submitted online through the UBC Careers website by December 1

Tagged as: Life Sciences