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Post-Doctoral Fellow - Preclinical Applications Specialist

Department: Physics [Ultrasound and Microbubble Therapy Laboratory] 
Position supervisor: Professor Raffi Karshafian
Contract length: One year with potential for extension 
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Term Vacancy
Start Date: February 01,2027
Rate of pay: $50,000 per annum plus 18% benefits.

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link, opens in new window)  and @ECItorontomet (external link, opens in new window)  on X, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link, opens in new window) .

About the program/department/team

The Department of Physics has a very active research and innovation environment and currently hosts 20 full-time faculty members, 34 adjunct faculty members, 7 staff members, 9 post-doctoral fellows, over 66 graduate students, and over 200 undergraduate students. The Department offers an undergraduate honors degree in Medical Physics and teaches numerous courses to various undergraduate programs in Science and Engineering. Furthermore, the Department offers master’s and doctoral degrees in the field of Biomedical Physics with an option in Medical Physics accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP).

The Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST) is a partnership between Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and St. Michael’s Hospital (external link)  (external link) that brings together TMU’s engineering and science strengths with St. Michael’s biomedical research and clinical expertise to translate research concepts into testable healthcare solutions. Located within the St. Michael’s Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, iBEST’s access to biomedical, technological and clinical expertise allows its members and partners to identify challenges and rapidly pilot, modify and introduce biomedical discoveries and inventions to improve health. Biomedical ultrasound in various diagnostic and therapeutic applications is one of the major streams of research and development at iBEST.

The opportunity

One Postdoctoral Fellow position is available for Prof. Raffi Karshafian at his lab “Therapeutic Applications of Ultrasound and Microbubbles” (external link)  (external link)  within the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada. Our research program is developing an image-guided ultrasound-and-microbubble (USMB) therapy platform for preclinical oncology, integrating robotic ultrasound, real-time cavitation monitoring, and adaptive treatment planning. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow with small-animal expertise to lead animal experiments and provide application and user insights, working closely with the PI, project management, and AI teams.

The research work will be conducted at research laboratories in iBEST, Toronto, Canada. The successful applicant will conduct research and development on a project funded by NSERC Alliance and Mitacs.

Position summary

This role leads the planning and execution of small-animal experiments for the validation and application of a robotic, image-guided ultrasound-and-microbubble (USMB) therapy platform. The successful candidate will design and conduct preclinical studies, oversee animal handling and monitoring in accordance with approved ethical protocols, and contribute to the development of reproducible experimental workflows.

As an early-stage user of the platform, the candidate will provide practical feedback on system usability, and application requirements, working closely with the principal investigator, project management, and AI team members. The candidate will play an important role in connecting the biological objectives of the preclinical studies with the development of the technology.

The position offers opportunities to develop expertise in image-guided therapy, experimental system validation, and translational medical-device development. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience with research instrumentation, experimental troubleshooting, scientific communication, and translation of complex technical concepts into practical experimental procedures. Opportunities will also be available to present research and technology developments to scientific, and clinical audiences. This is a highly collaborative role suited to an independent experimental scientist who is comfortable working across disciplines in an evolving research and technology-development environment.

Key responsibilities

  • Preclinical research: Design, coordinate, and conduct small-animal studies to evaluate and validate the robotic, image-guided ultrasound-and-microbubble (USMB) therapy platform.
  • Animal procedures: Safely handle and monitor mice and/or rats and perform approved procedures, including tumour inoculation, tumour monitoring, treatment administration, and sample collection, in accordance with animal-care and ethics protocols.
  • Ultrasound applications: Operate the imaging and therapy systems during animal studies and acquire relevant imaging, blood-flow, microbubble, and treatment-response data.
  • Experimental workflows: Develop and refine reproducible protocols for animal positioning, imaging, treatment delivery, monitoring, and data collection.
  • Data and analysis: Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to analysis of imaging, treatment, and biological data, including relevant tissue processing and histology.
  • Platform evaluation: Identify system limitations, usability challenges, and application requirements and communicate actionable feedback to the project management and engineering teams.
  • Troubleshooting and collaboration: Work across biological, engineering, and technical teams to troubleshoot experimental challenges and implement practical solutions.
  • Mentorship and dissemination: Mentor graduate students and communicate research findings through publications, presentations, and other scientific and professional forums.

Qualifications

The following qualifications and skills are required:

  • PhD in a relevant biomedical/biological/engineering discipline
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with small-animal research,  particularly mice
  • Experience conducting or supporting in vivo experiments independently
  • Experience with animal monitoring, experimental procedures, data collection and documentation
  • Experience working under approved animal ethics protocols
  • Strong experimental design, troubleshooting and organizational skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively across scientific and technical disciplines

The following backgrounds would be considered as asset / highly desired:

  • Knowledge and experience in in vitro or in vivo experiments specifically Mouse tumour models
  • Background knowledge of Oncology/cancer biology in Breast or prostate cancer models
  • Background knowledge of Cell culture
  • Knowledge and experience in Tissue processing/histology/immunohistochemistry
  • Domain experience in ultrasound or medical imaging is an asset
  • Knowledge and experience in Drug delivery, microbubbles or therapeutic interventions
  • Knowledge and experience in Quantitative Data Analysis 

How to apply

Please email your application to Dr. Raffi Karshafian at karshafian@torontomu.ca. In the subject line please indicate: “Application” and upload the following as one PDF document:

  • Cover letter outlining how exactly you meet the above qualification requirements
  • Current CV including the list of publications
  • Two relevant sample papers/publications
  • Contact information of three professional references. Note: we will inform you before we contact them so you can make them aware

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please reach out to to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.