The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research. Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, VIDO is a leader in human and animal infectious disease research and vaccine development. For over 45 years we have developed solutions to emerging diseases including eight commercially available vaccines—six of which were world’s firsts, with four more in regulatory development.

As a National Centre, we are home to one of the largest and most advanced level 3 containment facilities capable of housing both small and large animals including rodents, poultry, pigs, cattle, and bison. We are currently expanding our specialized infrastructure to include a vaccine GMP manufacturing facility, a new multi-species level 2 animal facility, and upgraded capacity to include level 4 containment. Our vision includes the capacity to study any emerging disease in any animal model embracing a One Health approach to prevent emerging and re-emerging infectious disease of importance in human and veterinary health.

Dr. Neeraj Dhar is seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow focused on Tuberculosis research to join his research team at VIDO.

Tuberculosis is an extremely complex disease and is manifested in infected hosts in a diverse spectrum of immunopathologies. This diversity is the outcome of individualistic nature of the pathogen-host encounters where heterogeneity at the level of both the pathogen and the host, leads to contrasting outcomes depending upon subtle differences in their microenvironments. This heterogeneity is not only relevant for the control of disease progression but has also been shown to be important for effectiveness of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Currently, the lab is focused on characterizing phenotypic heterogeneity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and to study these host-pathogen interactions at the single-cell level using animal and engineered 3d-tissue models, through the use of time lapse microscopy and microfluidics. We are seeking highly motivated individuals, who have recently completed their graduate studies with experience in microbiology or microengineering or microscopy or tissue engineering (3d tissue models).

The successful candidate must have an interdisciplinary PhD with a background in engineering and life sciences, prior experience in microengineering or tissue engineering, and a willingness to work in a Biosafety Level 3 environment. As a condition of employment the successful candidate will be required to undergo and clear a reliability status screening assessment, background check, and criminal record check.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their application via the online system and include a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately; however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.