Jobs
Ph.D. Student - Analytical Validation of Neurological Blood Biomarkers
Posted 05 Apr 2024
Employer
The University of British Columbia
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Principal Investigator
Contact
Submit application package as a single document to wellington.laboratory@ubc.ca
- Curriculum Vitae (including links to three most recent publications)
- Academic transcripts
- One-page cover letter
For Canadian citizens or permanent residents, applications must be received by June 1, 2024 to be considered for September 2024 program entry.
For international applicants, applications by July 1, 2024 for January 2025 program entry.
Description
Specialization: Clinical Chemistry, Neurology
Project: Analytical Validation of Neurological Blood Biomarkers Primary Supervision: Dr. Cheryl Wellington
Location: Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, UBC Further information: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/ad/57882
Blood-based biomarkers can provide a detailed picture of neurological health and disease using relatively low-cost, accessible, objective, and scalable tools. There has been a rapid expanse of research into candidate neurological blood-based biomarkers that show utility for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurological conditions. However, in order to transition these biomarkers into clinical use, multiple clinical and analytical validation steps must be taken. This project will focus on the validation of blood biomarkers of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It will involve the generation of reference intervals for multiple biomarkers using a large population-based cohort, performing assessments of associations between biomarkers and various demographic and clinical variables, and validating the use of reference intervals in multiple TBI cohorts to determine their diagnostic and prognostic potential. The outcome of this project will be to generate widely applicable cut-offs for blood-based biomarkers to be used in TBI and other neurological conditions, moving these biomarkers closer to clinical implementation.
Key Responsibilities
During the program the student will be expected to complete courses through the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC. The student will be expected to participate in regular laboratory and small group meetings, and biweekly check-ins with the supervisor. He or she will utilize multiple techniques within the context of their project, including but not limited to processing biospecimens, analyzing blood specimens using immunoassay technology, and advanced statistical analysis. The student will be expected to oversee all stages of the project, including designing and performing complex experiments, conducting all statistical analysis, presenting results at conferences ranging from local to international, and writing publications for project. During the degree, the student may also be expected to supervise undergraduate students.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Completed MSc or equivalent training
- 3+ years of research experience in neurology, clinical laboratory medicine, biostatistics, or another field relevant to proposed project
- Proficiency in statistical analysis
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Experience supervising projects and team members
- Experience with GraphPad Prism, RStudio, and SPSS
- Background knowledge of immunoassay technology and troubleshooting
- Experience working with biological specimens