Job Description

Job Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient and employee safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Scientific Director, BC Cancer Integrated Mouse Modelling Services (IMMS), the Leader of IMMS, will be responsible for the operation of a mouse genetic modelling core for BC Cancer and the University of British Columbia and is located at BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI). The Leader will have oversight of all services offered by the IMMS, while also evaluating and implementing new emerging mouse genetic modification technologies to provide scientific support and services to BC Cancer, UBC and other external research teams on fee for service basis. The Leader will also be expected to develop a strategic plan for growth of the IMMS while also acting as a mentor for other IMMS research personnel. The Leader must be passionate about mouse genetics models and mouse pluripotent stem cells and their application to disease models while also having an appreciation for building collaborative relationships with diverse groups with mouse modelling needs. Furthermore, this position involves insights into scientific structures, processes of relevant research alliances, a high degree of creativity, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary thinking.

Organizational Status

The Leader, IMMS reports to the Scientific Director IMMS and is physically located at the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI). This role will have several accountabilities; BC Cancer, UBC and other external research teams.

Major Responsibilities:

The Leader, IMMS will provide a vision for the implementation of a successful IMMS at the BC Cancer Research Institute.

Establishment and Provision of the following services based on fee for service model:

Generation of new mouse models: Assisting researchers with experimental design to determine the best approach to meet their needs. Services include embryonic stem cell modification and, zygote and embryo injections. CRISPR-Cas9 methods and standard methods are used.

Cryopreservation and Rederivation of mouse lines: Cryopreservation of mouse sperm and embryos for long term storage and, IVF and embryo transfer methods for recovery and rederivation.

Scientific Support and Collaboration:

Writes letters and provides quotations as support in grant applications for researchers planning to use the core.

Fully documenting research work and assisting researchers in the preparation of manuscripts by providing experimental details.

Collaborate with other cores at UBC to provide continuity in services for research projects.

Management and Finance:

Management of the core facility and its staff, including recruitment, retention and termination.

Presentation of core services to potential users inside and outside UBC; establish contacts in and outside BCCRI to raise the profile of the IMMS; develop a communication (via seminars, emails and social media platform) and advertising plan for IMMS core services.

Reports to the Scientific Director, Animal Resource Centre on the current use and potential needs for growth and diversification of the core.

Provides financial evaluation of new projects, technologies and operation of the core; develops funding models for sustainment.

Prepares budgets and develops efficient tools for billing and accounting of fee for service model
Tracks deliverables for IMMS projects to ensure success of core.

Collaborates with the Operations Manager, Animal Resource Centre around staffing and provision of specialized services.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Leader, IMMS acts independently and within broad guidelines. The Leader must exercise initiative and sound judgment in making decisions and planning, executing services and programs. Must demonstrate tact, sensitivity and confidentiality in dealing with the IMMS users, staff and other researchers. Failure to perform effectively would cause significant loss of support for and credibility from collaborators and senior administration. Error in judgment determining resources and techniques needed could affect the quality and success of the research projects and credibility of the core.

This is a one year appointment and depending on funding and successful progress of the research it may be renewed for additional years.

We thank all interested applicants for their interest, however, only those applicants short-listed will be contacted for an interview.

You have:

An understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people’s perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.

Knowledge 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.).

Demonstrated a commitment to beginning and 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.

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.

Demonstrated 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 healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.

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, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

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 – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

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

PHSA and BC Cancer are 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.

Required languages: English

Education level: Doctorate

Required skills: Generation of new mouse models, Cryopreservation and Rederivation of mouse lines, Scientific Support and Collaboration, Management and Finance

Closest intersection: Heather Street and 10th Avenue