Postdoctoral Fellow - Centrifugal Microfluidic Immune Monitoring

The program

The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers. Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $83,985. In addition PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.

Project title

Immune Monitoring Using a Centrifugal Microfluidic System: Strategies Towards Workflow Implementation and Automation for Remote Precision Diagnostics 

The role

Are you looking for a unique opportunity where you can grow your career while having a tangible impact for Canada, Canadians and far beyond our borders? Do you want an environment that will encourage growth and development? Do you want to be part of the development of new and innovative applied research? This PDF project positions Canada at the intersection of two national priorities: space exploration and equitable healthcare access.

 
The long-term vision of this research is to establish autonomous immune monitoring technologies for space exploration and remote healthcare applications. As a critical step toward this vision, the primary objective of this two-year PDF project is to develop and experimentally validate a laboratory prototype of an autonomous centrifugal microfluidic immune monitoring platform.

 
The project focuses on prototype development, subsystem integration, and analytical performance evaluation.  The aim is to develop a novel, platform-based approach for assessing changes in immune function through semi-quantitative analysis of cytokines released following ex vivo stimulation of whole blood. Unlike conventional immune monitoring workflows that rely on manual sample preparation, centralized laboratory infrastructure, and delayed post-mission analysis, the proposed system integrates immune stimulation, sample processing, and multiplex cytokine detection within a single autonomous microfluidic cartridge. While scientifically demanding, this approach offers the potential to redefine point-of-need immune monitoring, including for long-duration spaceflight, by enabling near real-time analysis and reducing sample-to-result turnaround from several days to a few hours, thereby supporting more timely clinical decision-making and enabling the rapid implementation of countermeasures. 

The outcome is an immune monitoring capability with direct translation to astronaut health, Indigenous and Northern community healthcare, critical care, and pandemic preparedness. The project is embedded in a larger collaboration effort involving LMU Hospital (Munich, Germany) with support from both the Canadian and European Space Agency.

Integrated into the MD–Precision Diagnostics Team at NRC Boucherville, where you can leverage   established expertise, infrastructure, and ongoing research activities, you will lead the experimental design, optimization, integration, and validation of the incubation cartridge and multiplex immunoassay, including data analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of results. 

The role (continue)

Opportunities to pursue independent research aligned with the project objectives will be encouraged. The project will provide comprehensive interdisciplinary training in :

• microfluidic system design, 


• centrifugal automation, 


• immunology, 


• multiplex immunoassay development, 


• analytical validation, 


• prototype integration, 


• project management, 


• scientific communication, and 


• translational medical device development. 

Through full participation in all stages of the project, you will gain experience spanning the complete technology development pipeline, from prototype design and fabrication to experimental validation, performance benchmarking, and knowledge dissemination. 

Your training will be supported through multidisciplinary mentorship within the NRC and collaboration with the Laboratory of Translational Research – Stress & Immunity at LMU Hospital (Munich, Germany), providing additional expertise in translational immunology and opportunities for international collaboration and professional networking. 

Conference participation and publication of at least two peer-reviewed manuscripts will further support your professional development as a highly qualified researcher in translational diagnostic technologies.

About Medical Devices

The Medical Devices (MD) Research center has the mandate to support economic development through innovation in health care, including innovative diagnostic tests and instruments. The research center's primary sector of activity is the medical devices and diagnostic industry with impact on all aspect of life sciences in innovative analytics and biomarker detection (medical diagnostics, point-of-care devices, process analytics, biodefence, cell & gene therapy, etc.).

We support the Canadian ecosystem in the development, translation and implementation of medical device innovations.

Education

A PhD in Biomedical engineering, Immunology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Microfluidics, Material science, Experimental medicine, Analytical chemistry or related discipline is required. 

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

Candidates must meet at least 4 of the following criteria to be considered for this position:

1. Hands-on experience with immunological, cell-based, and/or biochemical assays, including the detection and quantification of cytokines, proteins, or other immune biomarkers;


2. Experience with immunoassay development and optimization;


3. Experience working with whole blood, primary cells, plasma, or serum;


4. Experience with fluorescence-based detection and analysis of experimental data;


5. Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting experimental protocols and analytical methods, with attention to appropriate controls, reproducibility, and quality of experimental data;


6. Experience with microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip systems, assay automation, biosensors, or point-of-care diagnostic platforms;


7. Experience designing and conducting experiments independently, analyze and interpret results, and maintain clear scientific documentation;


8. Strong experience in scientific writing and communication skills, scientific curiosity, a goal-oriented and organized approach to research, and openness to collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment.

Language requirements

English OR French 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.


• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2024*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.


• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

* Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

Application requirements

To be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded.

• Resume


• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)


• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.


• List of Publications

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»

In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

Salary determination will be based on a thorough evaluation of the successful candidate's prior experience. This evaluation will consider specific achievements, skills, and contributions that demonstrate the candidate's impact and expertise. As a guide, the average starting rate for new PhD graduates entering this role is $83,985. 

The NRC is committed to supporting career progression within the organization, providing access to the opportunities and resources needed for a pathway to a fulfilling career. NRC employees also enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Why work with us

Relying on scientific fundamentals and biomedical engineering expertise, we maintain a deep understanding of the research path from idea to market.
We believe we can support the growth of Canada's medical device ecosystem, given our:

• deep biomedical acumen;


• commitment to research excellence and translation to clinical use;


• strong connectivity with clinicians, industry, academia and government;


• track record of ideation-to-market, with the ability to skillfully navigate at any point of the translation.

More on working with us... 

About Boucherville

Boucherville is a city in the Montérégie region in Quebec, Canada. It is a suburb of Montreal on the South shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Boucherville is part of both the urban agglomeration of Longueuil and Montreal Metropolitan Community regional government.

Boucherville is, among other things:

• more than 350 years of history;


• more than 42,000 residents;


• more than 400 employees in no fewer than 8 different buildings;


• an industrial park of over 600 companies, generating more than 22,000 jobs;


• 4.7 km2 of protected natural environment;


• proximity to the St. Lawrence River and the Boucherville islands;


• over 40 km of cycling paths;


• activities for all ages and tastes;


• 31 parks with sports and recreational facilities;


• a heritage circuit depicting the history of Boucherville;


• easy access to public transit;


• quality of life and a balance between development and environmental tranquility.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.


• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.


• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.


• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.


• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.