JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Postdoctoral positions in protein crystallography
Two positions are available for individuals interested in protein structure and function. Applicants should have a Ph.D.
and be experienced in protein crystallography, and/or recombinant protein expression, purification, and crystallization.
The positions to be filled are (i) a postdoctoral fellowship (less than 3 years post Ph.D.) and (ii) a senior research
associate (a minimum of at least 3 years post Ph.D. experience in protein crystallography). Salaries will be
commensurate with experience. The Lab has broad interests with an emphasis on understanding the structure, function
and specificity of a number of different enzyme systems. Enzymes being studied include those involved in the
regulation of biological methylation (S-adenosyl homocysteine hydrolase), nitric oxide production by the
arginine-citrulline cycle (argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase), N-glycan biosynthesis (_1,2
mannosidase), and apotosis (integrin-linked kinase). The successful candidates will join a lively enthusiastic research
team which is well equipped both computationally and biochemically. A new X-ray diffraction facility is currently being
installed at the Hospital for Sick Children which will complement the existing facilities at the University of Toronto and
the Ontario Cancer Institute. With seven protein crystallography groups, Toronto provides a stimulating environment for
learning and practicing the techniques of modern macromolecular crystallography and in addition is a vibrant city with
plenty to offer individuals both culturally and recreationally.
Applications including curriculum vitae, a description of research experience, and the names of three professional
references should be send to:
P. Lynne Howell, Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8 CANADA.
EMAIL: howell@sickkids.on.ca, FAX: 813-813-5022
Posting Date: June 11, 1999
Position Title/Classification: Laboratory Technician 2
Department: Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine
Salary Range: $30,151 - $35,471 - $40,792
Type of Appointment: Grant - to June 2002, with possibility of renewal.
Position Summary:
This position involves the use of standard cloning techniques in constructing over expression plasmids, transformation of E. coli bacculovirus infection of insects cells, culturing and harvesting cells, as well as the purification of specific proteins from these systems. The purified proteins are then subjected to crystallization trials. Accurate records of experimental data, techniques and procedures must be maintained. It is expected
that the procedures that are of semi-routine nature will be done independently. The position also involves taking responsibility for routine tasks in the laboratory and assisting in obtaining copies of scientific articles that are required for planning experiments and writing scientific reports. There will be opportunities to assist in the development of new techniques when required in the research project.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: B.Sc. (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physiology, Biology etc.) preferred.
Experience: Experience with protein purification and routine cloning techniques is an important asset.
Manual Skill: Manual dexterity and careful work absolutely essential.
Other: Interest in crystallographic procedures and willingness to work together with crystallographers. Must be detail oriented and be willing to learn. Must be a responsible self starter with the ability to work effectively in a team setting.
Please apply to:
Pat Parisi or Donna Deak
Closing Date: June 18, 1999
Personnel Services, Faculty of Medicine
Medical Sciences Building, Room 2256
University of Toronto
Fax (416)978-6746
Job Opportunity #76
Internal applicants are required to supply their personnel numbers with their application.
The University of Toronto thanks all external applicants for their interest. Only those external applicants being considered for a job opportunity will be contacted.
Posting Date: June 21, 1999
Position Title/Classification: Laboratory Technician 2
Department: Faculty of Dentistry
Salary Range: $30,603 - $36,004 - $41,404
Type of Appointment: GRANT - term position to March 31, 2000 with possibility of renewal
Position Summary:
Under general supervision the incumbent designs cloning strategies for plasmids expressing recombinant proteins. Resulting hybrid proteins are expressed and isolated to at least 95% purity at concentrations of 5-10 mg/ml for X-ray crystallography studies. Interactions between expressed proteins will be explored using in vitro binding assays and the yeast two hybrid assay. Circular Dichroism studies and nanogold-labelling with electron microscopy will be used to explore secondary structure. Supervises and maintains laboratory, trains and instructs graduate students and performs other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: M.Sc. in Molecular Biology preferred or B.Sc. with three years of experience, or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: One year of experience as a technician working in Molecular Biology and protein purification.
Skills: Extensive experience designing and carrying out strategies for cloning and protein purification. Experience with bacterial and yeast genetics and mammalian cell culture. Experience in DNA and protein gels, immunoblotting, DNA and RNA hybridization blots, and library screening essential. Must be familiar with the yeast two hybrid assay. Familiar with protein structure analysis using Circular Dichroism. Fluent in Microsoft Word, Endnote, Excel, Adobe Photoshop and illustrator, Powerpoint and the GCG package for DNA analysis.
Other: Demonstrated ability to organize and direct activities of a laboratory. Iniative, good judgement, tact. Ability to work
independently and as part of a team.
Please apply to:
Alison Mahoney, Coordinator of Personnel
Faculty of Dentistry, 124 Edward Street, Room 305
Fax: (416) 979-4937
Closing Date: June 28, 1999
Job Opportunity # 96
NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND NATIONAL MOBILIZATION MARK LAUNCH OF GENOME CANADA
MONTREAL, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - Dr Lap-Chee Tsui, one of Canada's best known biomedical researchers and leader of Genome Canada, announced at the Crossroad of Biotechnology 98 Symposium that Canada's preeminent research organization, the National Research Council, has joined Genome Canada. Says NRC President, Arthur Carty, ``NRC has a national biotechnology program with existing
expertise in genomics. By joining forces with Genome Canada, we will work together to build a world-class genomics capability for Canada.'' This latest partnership gives Genome Canada a major boost in its campaign to gather major players in its historic effort to mobilize and build Canada's genomics infrastructure for the 21st century.
This is the second major announcement from Genome Canada. In June, the
Medical Research Council (MRC) had committed $25 million to back its
endorsement of the new initiative. MRC's President, Dr. Henry Friesen said
``Genome Canada has an inclusive vision, and it is our hope that MRC's firm
commitment will facilitate the continued work of attracting additional
partners to ensure the realization of that vision.'' The Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) have also voiced strong support
for the concept.
The Genome Canada team includes national business, government and
research leaders from industry, government, crown agencies, hospitals and
universities. Genome Canada will have financial and infrastructure commitments
from all the major players in the field, and is also seeking new federal funds
as part of an ambitious national genomics program. Dr. Michael Smith, Nobel
laureate, Peter Wall Distinguished Professor of Biotechnology at the
University of British Columbia and Director of the Genome Sequence Centre at
the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver, said that ``this
effort is essential to allow Canada to participate in, and benefit from, the
international human genome research project and to use the technology and
expertise developed in that program to enhance all areas of biological
research that are important to Canada, in medicine, in agriculture, in
fisheries, in forestry, in biodiversity and the environment''.
The effort to map and sequence the human genome has captured the
imagination of many countries worldwide, but to date, Canada's effort has been
lagging. The new commitments from the MRC and NRC mean that the science and
technological foundation of Genome Canada has been established. The Genome
Canada team is negotiating with a number of new partners and expects to make
additional announcements in the coming weeks.
Genome Canada (officially known as the Genome Canada Foundation) proposes to be responsible for $500 million of research in the next 5 years, directed at placing Canada in the forefront of discovery and research training in genomics. The program will have a major commitment to ensure that the discoveries resulting from its funding are optimally exploited for the benefit
of Canadians. Dr Martin Godbout, Senior Vice-President of Scientific Affairs at BioCapital, is leading the strategic and business planning effort for Genome Canada and identifies the prime drivers as economies of scale and reduced duplication of effort. ``The intent is to build technological resources that are accessible to all sectors and are based on internationally
competitive science. Only through cooperation can Canada mobilize the sophisticated resources to achieve success in this field''.
Dr David Shindler, CEO of Milestone Medica Corporation, and a long time
participant in development of Canadian Biotechnology said ``the mobilization
of Canada's leadership in Genomics is unprecedented. The scientific,
technological, industrial and social science communities are all working
together in a coordinated way to address serious weaknesses in Canadian
genomics infrastructure.''
Dr Tom Hudson, McGill Scientist as well as Assistant Director of the MIT Genome Center in Boston, an international scientific leader in the field of genomics, notes that Canada has little choice but to make some serious and coordinated investments or basically lose out on what is recognized worldwide as the most significant scientific initiative of the 21st century. ``Our best
brain power in the field will simply move to where the opportunities are internationally, leaving Canada without the genomics leaders who are essential for research, development and application of the genomics technologies in Canada.''
The genomics field has major implications for the future of Canada's medical, agricultural, forestry and environmental sectors. ``Application of the new technologies must be done in a planned and sensible way that responds to public concerns'' said Bartha Maria Knoppers, Professor of Law at l'Université de Montréal, who is spearheading the integration of the legal,
social and ethical issues into the Genome Canada program. ``In this case Canada's industry and scientific leaders are asking that the implications of the technologies be understood and taken into account to ensure beneficial implementation for all Canadians.''
Genome Canada, a new foundation to oversee genomics research in Canada,
is beginning operation. In June, the Medical Research Council (MRC) endorsed
a proposal by the Genome Task Force to create a consortium of public- and
private-sector funders and stakeholders, which will coordinate activities in
this burgeoning area of scientific research. MRC backed its endorsement with
a $25 million commitment to medical genomics research. In a landmark
agreement, the National Research Council (NRC) quickly agreed to join forces
as the first new partner in Genome Canada, and the momentum is building.
``Genome Canada is designed as a structure that will allow the entry and
participation of all groups with a stake in genome research'' explains Dr.
Lap-Chee Tsui, Chair of the Genome Task Force and Geneticist-in-Chief at
Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. Additional partnerships are anticipated
from among the other federal funding councils (Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanity
Research Council (SSHRC)), government departments (such as Industry Canada,
Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada),
private industry, not-for-profit groups (such as the National Cancer Institute
of Canada) and university-based research institutes. Genome Canada will also
request financial support for its first 5 years of operation on behalf of all
members from the next federal budget.
Genome Canada's vision is to go beyond sequencing of the human genome
(the focus of the huge international Human Genome Project, which receives $300
million per year of federal funding in the U.S. alone), to focus on the
universality of DNA among all living things, from microbes to plants to
animals to humans. Genome is a word that refers to all the genetic material
(the genes) of a particular organism. DNA is the chemical structure common to
all, and it provides the alphabet with which genes are written and in turn
organized into genomes.
Genome Canada will try to reverse the situation that Canada's National
Biotechnology Advisory Committee warned of in its 6th Report (1998), Leading
in the next milllennium. ``The reduction in Canada's genome program has not
only hollowed out the country's existing capability, but has jeopardized the
chances of Canada leading the next wave of postgenomic studies. Canadians
have major international strengths in areas that give them the potential to
become world leaders. Yet, owing to a lack of resources, Canada stands to lose
out on the commercialization of agricultural, medical, silvicultural and
aquacultural discoveries in the 21st. century.''
Through a combination of major genome research centres, research grants,
university/industry collaborations, training and networking, Genome Canada
will support a series of seven technology platforms. These include:
- Technology Development: robotics and other methods to allow the rapid pace needed for competitive research
- Bioinformatics: methods of storing, analysing and disseminating genetic information
- Genome mapping and sequencing: the core of the ongoing international human genome initiative
- Functional genomics: determining the function of the genes identifies by sequencing
- Proteomics: studying the proteins coded for by genes
- Genotyping: determining the subtle variation in sequence among individuals and in populations
- Ethical, legal and social implications: ensuring that developments have a positive impact, through vigilance about the impact and potential impact of genomics, and promotion of public awareness and debate.
Genome Canada's integrated approach will allow the program to embody applications in medicine as well as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing processes, forestry, fisheries, the environment and more.
Genome Canada will operate as a not-for-profit corporation with a Board of Directors made up of funders, partners and stakeholders. The Board will: appoint an independent International Scientific Advisory Committee and hire a full time President to supervise administrative and business issues and intellectual property.
Support for basic research will provide jobs and training opportunities, and will halt the ``brain drain'' that is currently depriving Canada of its best and brightest scientific minds. Research will create the ideas and raw materials to feed the pipeline for industrial development in biotechnology and
create investment opportunities for Canadian and international venture capital. The baseline investment is anticipated to provide leverage for at least $1 billion in future economic investment.
Canadians can benefit from developments in genomics in many other ways. For example,
- The approach of medical care will change radically as genetic knowledge allows treatment and prevention strategies to be tailored to individuals rather than based on trial and error.
- Drugs will be developed to target the particular needs of individual patients.
- Crops will be improved with genes to enhance nutritional content, and cold-resistance to enhance their growing range.
- Genetic strategies will reduce the dependence on chemical pesticides, with downstream benefits to other parts of the environment.
- Due consideration will ensure that responsible use is made of developments in genomics for the benefit of all Canadians.
Members of Genome Canada Task Force:
Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui, Hospital for Sick Children and University of
Toronto (Chair)
Dr. Howard Bussey, McGill University
Dr. Robert Church, University of Calgary
Dr. Jane Evans, University of Manitoba
Dr. Martin Godbout, BioCapital
Dr. Denis Gauvreau, Algène
Dr. Judith Hall, University of British Columbia
Dr. Thomas Hudson, McGill University, Whitehead Institute, MIT
Dr. Bartha Maria Knoppers, Université de Montréal
Dr. David Shindler, Milestone Medica Corporation
Dr. Michael Smith, University of British Columbia
Dr. Andrew Storer, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research
Council of Canada
Dr. David Thomas, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research
Council of Canada
Information sessions will be held in Vancouver (October 27), Toronto
(October 21), Ottawa and Montreal (dates TBA).
-30-
For further information: Task Force Coordinator Dr. Janet Buchanan: (416) 481-9426 or e-mail
BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE has 1 releases in this database.
Posting Date: July 8, 1999
Position Title/Classification: Laboratory Technician 2 (LT2)
Department: Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine
Salary Range: $30,603 - $36,004 - $41,404
Type of Appointment: Grant
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the successful applicant will carry out some of the more routine, but demanding procedures in the lab such as generating transgenic flies, monitoring gene expression patterns by in situ hybridization and purifying proteins. The incumbent will also be responsible for maintaining the lab's fly lines, DNA, enzyme, bacterial and tissue-culture stocks. General lab maintenance will be carried out personally or delegated as appropriate. Records such as for hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials must be maintained and updated
regularly. Responsibilities also include ordering supplies and ensuring that lab equipment is maintained in good order. Independent research will be assigned to the incumbent. These will include short-term projects, assisting others in the lab, and more long-term independent projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: B.Sc. preferably in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Genetics, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: Molecular biology lab experience an important asset. Genetics, fly work also an asset.
Manual Skill: General proficiency in molecular biology approaches.
Other: Organizational skills and ability to interact well with colleagues.
Please apply to:
Donna Deak, Human Resources Assistant
Closing Date: July 14, 1999
Personnel Services, Faculty of Medicine
Medical Sciences Building, Room 2256
University of Toronto
Fax (416)978-6746
Job Opportunity #141
Posting Date: September 13, 1999
Position Title/Classification: Laboratory Technician II (7N)
Department: Banting & Best Department of Medical Research (BBDMR), Faculty of Medicine
Salary Range: $30,603 - 36,004 - 41,404
Type of Appointment: Grant - Term
Position Summary:
The research concerns protein complexes involved in gene expression and the genetic control of ageing. Human cells are grown in tissues culture and extracts prepared as
a source of protein complexes. Proteins isolated as components of various complexes are prepared for identification by mass spectrometry. The various proteins presents
in these complexes will be produced in bacteria or in insect cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses. The recombinant proteins will be purified for use in a variety of
experiments and for the production of antibodies to be used in various experiments.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: B.Sc. degree or technical training after high school or equivalent education and experience.
Experience: Experience with cell culture, virus growth and protein handling for mass spectrometry.
Other: Ability to cooperate well with Investigators.
Please apply to:
Tim Bethune
Human Resources, Generalist
Human Resources, Faculty of Medicine
Medical Sciences Building, Room 2256
University of Toronto
Closing Date: September 21, 1999
Job Opportunity #281