PhD Position in Biomedical Engineering jobs

MindWalk Biologics Ltd. (“MindWalk”, previously ImmunoPrecise Antibodies) is an innovation-driven biotechnology company that specializes in antibody discovery, characterization, engineering, and production. MindWalk has a strong international presence, with subsidiary sites spanning the globe including a laboratory production site in Canada and a computational antibody engineering site in Belgium. Using a combination of wet lab and in silico approaches, MindWalk supports its pharmaceutical, industrial, and academic partners in their efforts to discover and develop novel therapeutic, diagnostic, and tool antibodies against all classes of biological targets. In addition to serving as a contract research organization, MindWalk has a strong internal pipeline of assets and is focused on the acquisition, licensing, sale and marketing of these assets within the global biologics & therapeutics market.

The present position is based at MindWalk Biologics laboratory site in Victoria, BC where the main activity is managing fee-for-service antibody development for both local and international clients as a CRO.

Key Responsibilities:

• Play an integral role in antibody discovery service production, contributing to a collaborative team environment to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality products and services.
• Work collaboratively across teams on diverse projects driving company interests including but not limited to fee-for-service client work and internal R&D.
• In collaboration with Production Manager, identify, develop, and propose process improvement initiatives for the B cell laboratory aimed at advancing quality and timelines.
• In collaboration with R&D lead, execute process improvement activities in the B cell laboratory including conducting experiments, documenting results, and generating reports.
• Work closely with Production Manager to ensure a high level of scientific rigor in the B cell laboratory.
• Analyze B cell process performance data and generate high quality reports to share with site leadership as assigned by Production Manager.
• Contribute to feasibility discussions to assist in the scoping of custom discovery projects.
• Perform immune cell isolations and culturing activities from various animal sources.
• Perform molecular work downstream of candidate selection from B cell or hybridoma platforms or client-provided materials, including RNA isolation, cDNA generation, antibody sequence amplification, and cloning into expression vectors.
• Assess DNA sequence quality from cloned expression vectors and evaluate binding profiles of expressed antibodies.
• Work closely with the Project Team Leaders to ensure molecular activities are executed in accordance with project requirements, client expectations, and management direction, supporting timely delivery of client and internal R&D deliverables.
• Ensure that all laboratory process, documentation, and data-related activities are executed following the most up-to-date SOPs.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date documentation and project records for all client-related and internal R&D activities.
• Update project information, perform data analysis, and ensure accurate recording and reporting of work performed.
• Collaborate with the Assay Team and Quality Control Manager to support assays associated with the B cell workflow.
• Assist in revising, refining and improving current SOPs and developing new ones.
• Provide mentorship, supervision, and training of technical staff when and as needed.

Other Responsibilities:

• Manage a company email account and participate in lab meetings as required.
• Monitor inventory levels of key lab supplies and replenish as needed.  
• Liaise with procurement, vendors, and service providers as required to support lab operations. 
• Perform all work in accordance with MindWalk protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).  
• Assist with general lab maintenance, including preparation of buffers, media, reagents; equipment maintenance, lab organization, cleaning, and waste management.

Qualifications:

• PhD in any of general, molecular, or cell biology, biochemistry, antibody engineering, immunology, microbiology, or genetics, post-doctoral experience considered an asset
• Expert knowledge of and strong practical experience in B cell biology, antibody discovery methods, immune cell culturing practices, and immunoassay screening approaches is essential
• >8 years recent technical laboratory experience, preferably in an industry setting, is essential
• Excellent experimental design, data management and analysis, report drafting and editing, team leadership, staff training and mentorship, and communication skills are essential
• Experience working in a GLP or GMP facility and reviewing SOPs is considered an asset
• A commensurate combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional Requirements:

This position requires a satisfactory background check as a condition of employment.

Pay: $80,000.00-$100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Doctoral Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person