Casual Research Assistant 2

Job title:

Casual Research Assistant 2

Company

McGill University

Job description

Please refer to the job aid for instructions on how to apply.If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).The Thebault Lab, a newly established translational neuroimmunology research group at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), is seeking a skilled and motivated Research Assistant to support foundational and ongoing projects in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neuroinflammatory disorders.The successful candidate will play a central role in driving immune cell and biomarker discovery and translational efforts, establishing workflows for single-cell and protein profiling, and integrating biospecimen handling with clinical data. This position is ideal for someone with strong technical expertise, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in contributing meaningfully to cutting-edge translational research.This part-time role (28 hours/week) offers schedule flexibility, including occasional late afternoon/evening availability (1–2x/week, pre-arranged), and may evolve into a full-time position based on performance and lab growth. The RA will work closely with teams across the Stratton and Zandee labs, the CBIG biobank, and MS clinic infrastructure.Key Responsibilities1. Research Operations & Laboratory Management

• Lead or support setup of core lab infrastructure and SOP development.
• Coordinate day-to-day research operations:

• Procurement of reagents and equipment
• Sample and biospecimen inventory management (PBMC, CSF, serum, plasma)
• Oversight of cold storage systems (freezers, LN₂)

2. Immunology Assays & Technical Expertise

• Perform and optimize immunological assays including:

• Flow cytometry (conventional and spectral)
• PBMC isolation and cryopreservation
• Immune stimulation and culture
• Assist in advanced assay implementation (CITE-seq, PrimeFlow, ddPCR, Simoa, Olink)

3. Clinical–Research Integration

• Interface with the MS clinic team to support biobanking and sample flow.
• Occasionally assist with patient consent and sample collection (backup role).
• Extract and curate clinical metadata from electronic health records under appropriate supervision.

4. Research Coordination & Student Supervision

• Mentor junior trainees and support onboarding to lab procedures.
• Help ensure research quality, data integrity, and good laboratory practices.
• Coordinate timelines and workflows for multi-step experiments and collaborations.

5. Communication & Team Engagement

• Serve as a liaison between wet lab, clinical, and imaging teams.
• Foster communication across shared lab environments and with external collaborators.
• Contribute to collaborative manuscript preparation, grant reporting, or figure generation as appropriate.

QualificationsRequired

• MSc in Immunology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Minimum 1–2 years of hands-on research experience
• Proficiency in flow cytometry and core immunology methods
• Experience processing clinical specimens (CSF, PBMCs, serum/plasma)
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours (occasional evenings, pre-arranged)
• Willingness to engage in biomarker development regulatory approval process and academic writing

Preferred

• Experience with single-cell workflows or advanced immunoprofiling
• Familiarity with research ethics, MTAs, and biobank administration
• Comfort working in dynamic clinical-research environments
• Experience using REDCap, LIMS, or data management systems
• Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented and accountable, especially when PI is unavailable
• Proactive and adaptable to evolving research needs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Enthusiastic about translational neuroscience and team science

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to foundational neuroimmunology work in a growing lab with strong links to clinical practice, cutting-edge technologies, and national collaborations.This position is covered by the AMURE collective agreement:Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.Hourly Salary: $31.44Hours per Week: 28 (Part time)Location: Montreal Neuro.Supervisor: Assistant Professor (Clinical)Position Start Date: 2025-08-01Position End Date: 2026-01-31Deadline to Apply: 2025-07-15This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, .

Expected salary

Location

Montréal, QC

Job date

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:04:00 GMT

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