Research Associate (Limited Term)

Date Posted: 06/12/2026
Req ID:48544
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: UTM: Chem/Phys. Sciences
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential.

Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY:

CPS is an interdisciplinary science department comprising Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, and Astronomy. Our vibrant research labs examine questions such as how cells are programmed, how proteins function, how we develop materials for human health and sustainable future, how Earth’s climate and biosphere change over time, how we monitor and predict natural hazards, and how students learn to approach these challenges. Our department is home to 25 full-time faculty, including award-winning educators and researchers, who supervise a total of 90 graduate students and 16 postdocs in the CPS research labs. About 40% of our faculty have been hired in the last 10 years, the result of a recruitment and renewal drive that is ongoing.

The Hargrove Group specializes in small molecule drug discovery against RNA targets, with projects aimed at uncovering disease-related RNA biology and the druggability of specific RNA structures. Our current ~10-member team is comprised of medicinal chemists, biochemists, and molecular and cell biologists. We are currently looking for experts in RNA biology, specifically in cell RNA-protein interactions.

The Research Associate will work independently but closely with chemists and biologists in a results-driven, collaborative environment. The incumbent will be responsible for designing advanced methodologies, performing experiments, carrying out the analyses and providing interpretations and conclusions from the results in a report for each project in a timely fashion. The incumbent will lead RNA biology research projects as agreed upon with the supervisor. The incumbent would maintain appropriate notebooks, data and records as agreed upon with the supervisor. He or She would train other lab members in rigorous and safe biological techniques per lab protocols as agreed upon with the supervisor as well they would mentor students on independent research projects. The Research Associate would assist and coordinate writing of protocols, papers and grants. They will supervise responsible lab ordering and inventory while maintaining a professional and supportive work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Ph.D. in a relevant area of Life Sciences, Chemistry or Biochemistry, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• • At least two (2) years of experience in demonstrated independent research experiences in RNA molecular and cell biology.
  • Experience in characterizing in-cell RNA: protein interactions and related mechanisms
  • Experienced in analyzing bioinformatics data
  • Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate student researchers
  • Experience in scientific writing, particularly manuscript and grant writing

Skills:

• • Ability to lead a project and co-ordinate research teams
  • Superior communication and organizational skills
  • Self-motivated with an ability to multi-task
  • Ability to work in a collaborative group
  • Supervisory skills include effective teambuilding and the ability to establish positive working relationships and foster collaboration to achieve common goals
  • Experience in training and monitoring performance
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational, decision-making and management skills.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Please Note: This posting is for a one (1) year term position, possibility of being renewed, with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2026

Closing Date: 07/13/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea: Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $53,520 - $100,350
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching