Research Technician

(6 month term)

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center (VIDO-InterVac), a research institute at the University of Saskatchewan, is seeking a technician to work on developing an effective oral vaccine in piglets against Lawsonia intracellularis. VIDO's research activities are focused on multidisciplinary approaches to the control of infectious diseases in animals and humans through the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics plus methods for their use.

DUTIES:
Candidate should have a strong interest in mucosal immunology. Experience in various immunological and molecular biological techniques such as ELISAs, ELISPOTs, tissue culture, cell separation and flow cytometry, Western blotting, cloning and qRT-PCR will be required. General lab up-keep, maintenance of accurate experimental records, and other duties as assigned. hese positions will also require some flexibility in terms of working hours.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualifications include a minimum of Bachelor of Science or Biological Sciences Diploma with extensive lab experience. Candidates must have experience in immunological and molecular biology techniques. Experience in molecular biology, use of radioisotopes, immunological and biochemical techniques are required. The person should have initiative, self-motivation, and ability to work with minimal supervision and within an interdisciplinary team concept.

START DATE: June 1, 2013

MONTLY SALARY RANGE: $3100-$3600

Deadline for Applications: May 24, 2013

Please reply to:

Joyce Sander. Associate Director - Human Resources
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac)
120 Veterinary Road
SASKATOON, SK   S7N 5E3
E-Mail: joyce.sander@usask.ca

Note: The University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practices. The University welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
(Only the candidates that will be interviewed will be notified.)

Postdoctoral Position, Viral Vaccine Group

Postdoctoral position is available immediately for an ongoing project to work on the adenovirus vectored vaccine(s) for pigs. Candidates should have a Ph.D. with a strong background in immunology as well as molecular biology. Experience with techniques in virology is desirable.

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) Is a research institute at the University of Saskatchewan.  VIDO-InterVac’s research activities are focused on multidisciplinary approaches to the control of infectious diseases in animals and humans through the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics plus methods for their use. The Organization provides a stimulating collaborative environment in a variety of disciplines, including molecular microbiology, immunology, genomics and proteomics, cell biology and clinical research.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in a team-based research environment.

Interested candidates should direct applications, including a curriculum vitae and three names of references to:

Seeking a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Integrated Infectious Disease Mitigation

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) invites applications and nominations for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Integrated Infectious Disease Mitigation (IIDM), a cutting-edge initiative to understand and combat diseases as they affect both humans and animals at home and abroad.
 
Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and have an enormous impact on the Canadian and global economies. As new diseases emerge and existing pathogens evolve, development of new mitigation strategies and their translation into community-based solutions must be more rapid and effective.

The U of S is uniquely positioned to address this challenge, with the multidisciplinary expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and established multi-sector relationships, to examine all aspects of integrated infectious disease mitigation, including applications to Aboriginal health issues. The new CERC will develop her or his own research program and will act as a focal point for a small number (2-3 in the first 7 years) of strategic, integrated research clusters and networks that have the broad focus of infectious disease and vaccine research with potential relevance to both human and animal health, and development of community-based solutions for prediction, prevention, diagnosis and control.

With more than 20,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, the U of S is one of Canada’s leading medical-doctoral research-intensive universities, with the widest array of human and animal health science programs in the country. It is internationally recognized for its expertise in infectious disease at the interface of human and animal health and the environment. “One Health: Solutions at the Animal-Human-Environment Interface” is a U of S signature area. Recent investments in related research personnel and infrastructure total $800 million, with a continued commitment for future investment

High-impact research facilities, centres and Colleges include the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), and the Canadian Light Source national synchrotron. In addition, the U of S has graduate schools in public health, public policy and environment and sustainability, and a new state-of-the-art Social Sciences Research Laboratory.
  
The successful Chair will be an internationally recognized researcher and leader in infectious disease, or a highly regarded individual who is rapidly moving up into this research echelon, with a world-class record of contributions to one or more of the CERC’s key impact areas. She or he will have a bold vision to lead this transformative initiative, and will have demonstrated experience in cross-sector research collaboration at the national and international levels. The successful candidate will evidence a background in one or more relevant fields (e.g., bacteriology, virology, immunology, public health), and will bring significant experience in building and directing interdisciplinary and cross-sector infectious disease research and mitigation strategies. She/he is expected to engage with communities, policymakers, public and private sector partners, post-secondary institutions, and researchers and practitioners across Canada and around the world.

The Chair will be awarded at the full professor level with tenure; salary and benefits will be globally competitive. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to employment equity and welcomes diversity in the workplace. Members of diverse groups, including women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and visible minorities, are encouraged to self-identify on their applications.

CERCs are the most prestigious research chairs in Canada. By attracting the highest calibre of researchers, the federal CERC program aims to advance Canada as an international leader in research areas with national and global impact. The U of S has successfully advanced to the final stage of the current CERC competitive process that will lead to 11 additional chairs being established across the country to complement those already existing including one in Water Security previously awarded to the U of S. The federal government will provide each chairholder and research team with $10 million over seven years, with additional funds contributed by the respective universities and provinces.  For detailed information about the CERC program, please visit www.cerc.gc.ca.

To apply or nominate a candidate, please submit a CV, a statement of interest, and the names of three referees to:

Dr. Karen Chad
Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
Room 201, Peter MacKinnon Building
107 Administration Place, Saskatoon, SK  S7N 5A2  Canada
Tel: (306) 966-8514; Facsimile: (306) 966-8736
Email: karen.chad@usask.ca.
Website: www.usask.ca

Review of applications will commence on April 15, 2013.

Graduate Student Positions

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan, is seeking Graduate Students to work in a projects focused on vaccine development.  VIDO-InterVac’s research activities are focused on multidisciplinary approaches to the control of infectious diseases in animals and humans through the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics plus methods for their use. The Organization provides a stimulating collaborative environment in a variety of disciplines, including molecular microbiology, immunology, genomics and proteomics, cell biology, pathogenesis and clinical research.

• MSc position is available in the field of microbiology/immunology. The proposed research will mainly focus on host-pathogen interaction and vaccinology. The student’s project will be embedded in a larger program with the goal to develop an effective vaccine against Salmonella in poultry. Candidates with an excellent background and skills in biology, biochemistry or veterinary medicine who are open to interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged to apply.

• MSc position is available in the field of virology/microbiology. The proposed research will mainly focus on the improvement of a vaccine against inclusion body hepatitis in chickens through development of a new in-ovo vaccine delivery platform. Candidates with background knowledge and excellent hands on training in virology, cell culture and molecular biology techniques including Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and electrophoresis will be favourably considered. Students will be required to work with chicken and chicken embryos. Candidates with an excellent background and skills in virology, microbiology or veterinary medicine who are open to interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged to apply.

 Interested candidates should direct applications, including a curriculum vitae and three names of references to: