Associate Scientist

Associate Scientist (On-Site)

Location: Victoria, BC

Company: StressMarq Biosciences

Position Type: Full-time, annual contract (with potential for extension)

Reports To: Lab Manager

Company profile

StressMarq Biosciences, founded in 2007, is a research bioreagents company producing high-quality, cutting-edge research products for the life sciences and discovery research markets. Our diverse portfolio of antibodies, proteins, immunoassay kits, and small molecules are utilized across a range of biomedical research fields including neuroscience, cancer research, and cell signaling.

In recent years, StressMarq has become a market leader in the development and commercialization of a range of fibrillized and oligomeric protein preparations for use in neurodegenerative disease research including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Within the company, we have three divisions - Operations, Sales & Marketing, and Laboratory. Within the Laboratory division, we have 3 departments – Antibodies & Kits, Proteins, and R&D.

About the role

We are seeking an Associate Scientist to join our growing R&D team. This mid-level position offers an opportunity to contribute to product development while gaining expertise in our established processes and protocols. The successful candidate will receive training on existing SOPs with the expectation they will quickly build a foundation for working on current R&D projects.

The day-to-day work for this position includes preparing buffers, casting and running SDS-PAGE gels and/or transfers, data visualization such as labelled gel images, line & bar graphs, etc., data entry into shared databases, drafting/ revising SOPs, general lab & equipment maintenance activities such as reagent/ consumable inventory, autoclaving materials & supplies, and assisting with technical support related to customer inquiries (note: no direct customer interaction).

On a weekly to biweekly basis, the scientist will be assigned to work on specific projects by a lab manager, which can include assay development, protein expression, purification and/or fibrillization or antibody purification and/or screening, followed by QC activities such as western blotting, sterility testing, assays (ThT, sedimentation, endotoxin detection, BCA, malachite green, etc) and atomic force microscopy. All data & results associated with a project must be compiled into a project summary. 

Key expectations for the role:

·  Attendance in regularly scheduled meetings.

o  Must review transcript if meeting missed or follow up with a lab manager.

·       Remain aware of ISO 9001:2015 documentation expectations.

·       Role model for lab safety

o  Safe handling of chemicals and raw materials.

o  Safe handling and use of equipment.

o  Review SDS sheets when necessary

o  Wear appropriate PPE and abide by safety protocols.

o  Label reagents/buffers appropriately (WHIMIS)

·       Demonstrate perseverance in projects and scientific understanding when reviewing literature to aid in troubleshooting, data interpretation, and experimental design.

·       Collaborate with manufacturing as needed during high volume periods or on difficult troubleshoots.

·       Maintain completed, accurate, & detailed R&D summaries and notebooks.

·       Communicate regularly with lab manager.

·       May travel to conferences as needed.

Benefits:

·       2 Personal Days

·       Paid Vacation Time

·       Bi-monthly staff appreciation lunches

·       Medical, Dental and Vision (Personal Health Savings Account)

·       Multiple Bonus programs

·       Retirement Savings matching contribution programs (year 2 onward)

Salary Range:

$50,000 - $60,000

Recent company-related peer-reviewed publications include:

1.       Bhandari, S., Melchiorre, C., Dostie, K, Laukens, D., Devisscher, L., Louwrier, A., Thees, A. and Lynes, M. Detection and Manipulation of the Stress Response Protein Metallothionein: Metallothionein Detection and Manipulation. In: Current protocols in toxicology 2017:17.19.1-17.19.28 · February 2017. DOI: 10.1002/cptx.17

2.       Rebecca S. Saleeb et al. Two-color coincidence single-molecule pulldown for the specific detection of disease-associated protein aggregates. Sci. Adv.9, eadi7359 (2023). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adi7359

3.       Kristian F. Falkon, Liliana Danford, Eduardo Gutierrez Kuri, Paulina Esquinca-Moreno, Yaren L. Peña Señeriz, Sabrina Smith, Jessica L. Wickline, Ariel Louwrier, Jacob A. McPhail, Naomi L. Sayre, Sarah C. Hopp. Microglia internalize tau monomers and fibrils using distinct receptors but similar mechanisms. Alzheimer's Dement. 2024; 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14418

Qualifications:

·       PhD in a highly relevant field or MSc with equivalent years of relevant experience.

·       High level of attention to detail

·       Strong verbal and written communications skills

·       Analytical skills to perform complex tests and procedures

·       Technical proficiency to operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as PH meters, spectrophotometers, autoclaves, AKTAs, columns, etc.

·       Problem solving to troubleshoot issues with equipment and investigate any abnormal test results.