Research Associate, Process Development, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute

Description

The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the Associate Director.

The mission of the Riddell Centre is to reduce the burden of cancer and improve patient survival through the rapid development and implementation of safe and effective immunotherapies. The Biomanufacturing Program supports this mission by producing high-quality immune cell therapeutics and supportive reagents for preclinical research, product development, and clinical translation.

The Research Associate will independently lead complex process development, optimization, and scale-up activities for multiple cell and gene therapy products across different modalities, while ensuring full compliance with Health Canada requirements. This role ensures adherence to cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) or GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) standards. Additionally, the associate will work collaboratively across the cell manufacturing and Quality Control labs to ensure the timely delivery of cell therapies to patients. By coordinating efforts and aligning production schedules, the associate will play a crucial role in maintaining the highest quality standards and supporting the mission of the Riddell Centre. This role demands expertise in clinical-grade cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes under stringent regulatory frameworks, combined with specific familiarity with University of Calgary systems and infrastructure.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Process Development and Optimization: Design, execute, analyze, and document process development experiments to optimize cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes. Ensuring experiments are scientifically rigorous, reproducible, well documented, and aligned with project objectives

Scale-Up Activities: Participate in scaling manufacturing processes from laboratory to clinical manufacturing scale, ensuring process robustness, reproducibility, technology transfer, and regulatory compliance

Manufacturing Support: Conduct the manufacturing of cell and virus therapy products, strictly adhering to established protocols, timelines, and regulatory requirements. Ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency

Quality Control: Perform QC release testing to verify product quality and compliance with program policies, procedures, and regulatory standards. Ensure timely and accurate reporting of results

Documentation: Maintain comprehensive, detailed, and accurate records of all experiments, processes, and QC activities. Ensure compliance with appropriate cGxP

Compliance and Safety: Ensure all activities comply with appropriate cGxP and safety regulations. Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of safety practices and quality systems within the biomanufacturing program

Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, to support the successful development and production of cell and virus therapy products. Foster a collaborative environment to achieve common goals.

General Lab Duties

Work collaboratively with Lab Management on purchasing of laboratory supplies and with Lab Management to procure supplies and equipment efficiently ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement

Qualifications / Requirements:

Masters degree in Immunology, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field

Minimum of three years of experience in biomedical research, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, or cell and gene therapy development within an academic, clinical, or industrial environment

Previous experience at the University of Calgary and demonstrated familiarity with its organizational structure, research ethics boards, and procurement systems is required

Significant experience in aseptic techniques, mammalian cell culture (including primary immune cells), and advanced molecular and cellular biology methods is required

Significant experience with T-cell functional assays and multicolor flow cytometry is required

Significant experience operating automated cell-processing platforms (e.g., CliniMACS Prodigy, Cytiva Sefia) and flow cytometry systems (e.g., MACSQuant or equivalent) is required

Demonstrated experiences in process development and optimization for cell and gene therapy manufacturing, including lentiviral transduction optimization, DoE experimental design, statistical data analysis, and development/validation of cell-based potency and characterization assays are required

Direct experience executing Quality Control (QC) testing for cell therapy products is required

Experience working with the Bluecord electronic Quality Management System (eQMS) and interfacing with Quality Assurance oversight in a regulated biomanufacturing setting is required

Knowledge of, and prior experience applying, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Documentation Practices (GDP) regulations, including Health Canada, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) regulations and guidelines, is required

Experience with bioreactors and downstream cell and viral processing techniques required

Strong organizational and time management skills with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and process execution

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly regulated environment

Openness and willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to evolving methodologies in the rapidly advancing field of cell and gene therapy

Application Deadline: August 28, 2026

To Apply, please visit the University of Calgary's career opportunities page: http://careers.ucalgary.ca Job Opening ID #38129.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2. (Salary range is $35.72 - 51.72 per hour).

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

Business address: 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (oic@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.