Postdoctoral Fellow - Innate Lymphoid Cells and Spatial Genomics in Type 1 Diabetes, Crome Lab, Terry Fox Laboratory - BC Cancer Vancouver

Postdoctoral Fellow - Innate Lymphoid Cells and Spatial Genomics in Type 1 Diabetes, Crome Lab, Terry Fox Laboratory
BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC

We are recruiting a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a newly funded Helmsley Charitable Trust-supported program focused on defining the roles of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), NK cells, and other innate immune populations in human type 1 diabetes (T1D) and healthy pancreas using single-cell and spatial transcriptomic platforms.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based in Dr. Sarah Crome’s research program at UBC and BC Cancer, which is focused on human Natural Killer (NK) cell and innate lymphoid cell (ILC) biology, immune regulation, and human immunology. The fellow will be embedded in a highly collaborative, internationally visible research team that brings together complementary expertise spanning innate immunity, autoimmunity, spatial biology, and islet physiology, including Dr. Bruce Verchere (UBC), a world leader in beta cell and islet macrophage biology and diabetes pathogenesis; Dr. Megan Levings (UBC), a world leader in human immunology, regulatory T cell biology, and T1D immunotherapy; and Dr. Jean Marshall (Dalhousie), a world expert in human mast cell biology. Together, this team provides an exceptional training environment at the interface of human immunology, genomics, and translational diabetes research.

Scientific Program

Innate immune cells are emerging as central regulators of islet homeostasis, autoimmunity, and tissue repair in type 1 diabetes (T1D). This program will generate a comprehensive, high-dimensional atlas of innate immune populations in the human T1D pancreas. The Postdoctoral Fellow will play a central role in building and integrating these datasets by defining innate immune cell heterogeneity using CITE-seq, mapping immune-endocrine cellular circuits using Xenium spatial transcriptomics, and integrating these data with multiplex histology and functional precision-cut human pancreas slice models. These complementary platforms will enable mechanistic dissection of immune-islet interactions in a physiologically relevant tissue context and support the identification of novel immune pathways and therapeutic targets in T1D.

Key Responsibilities

Analyze CITE-seq experiments on human pancreas and islet samples
Lead Xenium spatial transcriptomic studies, with a particular lens to NK cell and ILC-islet interactions, and integrate scRNA-seq, CITE-seq, and spatial datasets with collaborators
Perform high-parameter immune phenotyping and functional assays
Perform functional immune-islet co-culture and pancreas slice assays, and mechanistic dissection of molecular interactions governing NK cell and ILC functions.
Contribute to manuscript and grant writing
Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees

Required Qualifications

PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Genomics, or related discipline
Experience with one or more of:

o scRNA-seq / CITE-seq
o Spatial transcriptomics (Xenium, Visium, CosMx, etc.) or multiplex imaging
o High-parameter flow cytometry
o Immune-engineering/genetic modulation of immune cells
o Expertise in autoimmunity, transplantation, or islet biology

Demonstrated publication record
Strong computational or quantitative skills are an asset

Core Competencies:

Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

You have:

Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

Training Environment

This position is embedded in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research program with access to state-of-the-art platforms in single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and high-parameter cytometry. The fellow will gain hands-on expertise in human immunology, precision-cut human pancreas slice models, advanced flow cytometry and imaging, and translational immune cell platforms, enabling mechanistic dissection of immune-islet interactions in a physiologically relevant tissue context.

Through close integration with BC Cancer and UBC, the fellow will have access to specialized facilities and mentorship in immune engineering, cell manufacturing, preclinical modeling, and translational immunology. The training environment is further strengthened by a broad network of immunology and autoimmunity experts who collaborate closely with the Crome program. This integrated team approach ensures that fellows receive rigorous technical training alongside mentorship in experimental design, data integration, leadership, communication, and knowledge translation.

The BC Cancer Research Institute provides a dynamic and highly interactive training environment. Fellows benefit from weekly seminars by visiting scientists, departmental Work-in-Progress seminars at the Terry Fox Laboratory, and professional and social programming through the BC Cancer GrasPods society for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The fellow will be strongly supported in pursuing independent funding and positioned for faculty-level career development in academia, biotechnology, or clinical research.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive training environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and provide mentorship tailored to a wide range of career aspirations.

The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience but is anticipated to be between $60,000 and $70,000 per annum. Candidates are expected to apply for external peer-reviewed salary awards.

Application Instructions

Cover letter describing research interests and career goals
Curriculum vitae
Contact information for 2–3 references

Applications should be submitted by email to:

Dr. Sarah Crome
Senior Scientist, Terry Fox Lab, BC Cancer
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, UBC
Email: [email protected]

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-time (1-year position until March 1, 2027, with the possibility of extension)
Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000; The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 1G1
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday- Friday;0930-1730
Requisition Number: 193973E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on January 28, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail [email protected] with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at [email protected].