A Ph.D. graduate student position is available in Dr. Hong Wang’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. The research areas are in plant cell cycle regulation and protein ubiquitination (for publications, please see: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&user=S4vBhvMAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate). Building on the past work, there are exciting possibilities for further understanding the functions and regulation of the genes we have been working on, using molecular, cellular and genomics approaches.

Candidates should have strong academic background with a M. Sc. degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics or a related area of plant science and are highly motivated to do research. If a candidate’s first language is not English, he or she needs to meet the English language proficiency requirements for admission as a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan
(https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/admission-requirements.php).

If you are interested in the position, please send a copy of your CV (listing names of 2-3 references) and brief description of your research interests to:

Hong Wang (hong.wang@usask.ca)

A funded graduate student position is available to study peptide signaling controlling plant growth and development in the Lee laboratory at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The selected student will combine molecular genetics, biochemistry, imaging, and proteomics to understand how cells interact to control diverse developmental processes in the plant model organisms, Arabidopsis (for dicots) and Brachypodium (for monocots). The student will be under the guidance of Drs. Jin Suk Lee (Concordia) and Jeong Ill Kim (Kumho Life and Environmental Science Laboratory). Please contact Dr. Lee (jinsuk.lee@concordia.ca) for additional information regarding the project and position.

Concordia is a full-spectrum, research-intensive university that conducts leading-edge research in a variety of areas including cell and molecular biology. The collegial environment, state-of- the-art facilities, and accomplished faculty make the Biology Department at Concordia a great place to conduct graduate research. Montreal is a great place to live and located in cultural capital Quebec.

We are interested in highly motivated candidates with background in molecular biology, with good communication skills. Research experience in protein biochemistry or plant biology is preferred, but not required. Diversity is considered a strength within the lab and all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for this position.

Interested applicants are welcome to apply by submitting a single PDF containing curriculum vitae, a brief description of research experience, and contact information for two references. Email your application by August 30, 2023 to Dr. Jin Suk Lee (jinsuk.lee@concordia.ca) with subject heading ‘Graduate student position application’.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Postdoc position studying forest dynamics and tree resilience to climate change impacts using high resolution drone-based imagery

The FastPheno project is soliciting applications for a postdoctoral position at the University of Toronto.

The individual will be working as part of a larger team including researchers from the University of Toronto, Université Laval, Natural Resources Canada, and the Ministry of Forests, Fauna and Parcs of Quebec. Our team combines the next generation of high-throughput drone-based phenotyping platforms, plant ecophysiological and genomics approaches to better understand forest dynamics and tree resilience to climate change impacts. The successful candidate will be based in Toronto and work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers of the four participating organizations in a highly collaborative environment.

If you have a background or interest in one or several of the following areas, you should send us your application: High resolution image classification, remote sensing of vegetation, data sciences, computer sciences, bioinformatics, statistical modelling, environmental sciences, ecophysiology of plants, and ecology of trees.

Qualifications

The postdoc will take leads in the FastPheno project activities on drone-based collection and processing of hyperspectral and LiDAR data from multiple experimental field sites and forest stands located in Quebec and Southern Ontario. The focus will be on improving our existing data analysis pipeline, including the identification of trees, assessing health and fitness of individual trees, and estimating structural features of vegetation using deep learning approaches. Candidates must hold a PhD in remote sensing, geoinformatics, plant biology, forestry, or a related field. Strong background in image classification, big data analysis and experience with deep learning algorithms is required.

Preferred skills include:

• ·         Proficiency in optical (hyperspectral and multispectral) and LiDAR remote sensing, photogrammetry.
• ·         Experience in preprocessing and analysis of VHR optical and LiDAR remote sensing data.
• ·         Good understanding of object-oriented programming in Python and C++, sell scripting, relational databases.
• ·         Experience with GDAL Geospatial libraries, QGIS/ArcGIS and GRASS, point cloud processing tools such as LasTools or CloudCompare.
• ·         Knowledge in cloud computing platforms such as Azure, cluster computing and job schedulers such as SLURM.
• ·         Experience with retrieval of plant physiological and structural information using hyperspectral or LiDAR information is an advantage.

Postdoctoral candidates must have received their PhD after January 2019. Candidates must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, willingness to work independently and in a collaborative team environment, and a track record of timely completion of projects and publications.

Applications

Potential applicants should send their CV, a list with the names and contact information of 2-3 references and a max. one1 page motivation letter in a single PDF file to ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca. Use the words Application Postdoc High Resolution Imagery in the subject line of your email. The review of applications will commence immediately until the position is filled.

About the position

The ensmingerlab is highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary and inclusive. We affirm diversity, creativity, integrity and ambition. For questions, please email ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca. For further information on the lab or the FastPheno project please visit the lab website https://ensminger.csb.utoronto.ca/or the FastPheno website https://www.fastpheno.com/.

Postdoctoral Position in Plant Molecular Physiology and Genomics

University of Manitoba, Canada

A postdoctoral research fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Ayele at the University of Manitoba to investigate hormonal regulation of traits of economic importance including abiotic stress tolerance in cereals. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in plant biology or a related discipline with solid experience in standard and emerging molecular biology techniques, and use of genomics/genetics approaches such as gene cloning and vector construction, plant tissue culture, generation and analysis of mutants and genetic variants. Knowledge in bioinformatics such as transcriptome and next generation sequence data analysis and online database usage is required. Experience in the use of analytical techniques would be an asset. Candidates must have demonstrated skills in interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and publications in peer reviewed journals. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and will be expected to demonstrate research productivity through publication in relevant refereed journals. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The initial appointment is for one year but renewable contingent upon satisfactory progress.

 

Interested candidates should send (1) cover letter explaining the research interests, (2) CV, and (3) contact information including phone numbers for 3 references by email to Dr. Ayele at belay.ayele@umanitoba.ca.

A graduate student position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Yang Xu at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph. The Xu Lab is seeking a highly motivated MSc student with a strong interest in plant lipid biology. Please see the posting details here.  

For those who are interested, please forward cover letter, CV, transcripts, and the names of three references to Dr. Xu by email (yangxu@uoguelph.ca).  

The Plant Systems Biology and Agricultural Microbial Ecology Groups at the University of Manitoba are seeking a PhD student researcher to study interactions between plant roots and microbial inoculants using phenotypic screening, biochemical and physiological characterization, and functional genomic tools. The selected candidate will join a large multi- year, multi-institutional project, including academic and industry partners, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems by leveraging microbial inoculants to promote crop nutrient uptake.

This project requires us to meet performance and reporting deadlines, but the selected candidate will have some latitude to explore and develop their own ideas within the context of the project. There will be opportunities for collaboration within our groups and across our network, and to pursue professional development activities.

Applicant qualifications

• BSc or MSc in plant biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related discipline.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.

• Desire to learn and develop skills as scientist, writer, and communicator.

• Ability to perform experiments precisely and correctly according to laboratory protocols.

• Ability to manage time and efforts to ensure that the goals of their project and graduate program are being met.

• Ability to communicate freely and clearly with their supervisors and lab mentors with results, errors, delays, etc.

  Research and training

  The successful candidate will develop skills in a wide variety of areas including building and maintaining microbial inoculant collections, performing and analyzing high throughput plant phenotyping screens, and undertaking detailed physiological and molecular analyses of plant- inoculant interactions. The student will learn skills in hypothesis development, experimental design, and data analysis in R, and will be expected to cultivate skills in project management and within-team communication, scientific writing, and oral presentations. We will provide support for development in these areas. All research personnel will be required to participate in team meetings, to share data and progress, and to take ownership of their research projects. Our labs are diverse and collaborative workplaces that are committed to building an environment of integrity and respect where science and scientists can flourish.

  Application Process and Funding

  Review of applications will begin on June 12th, and position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified. Interested applicants should send a letter stating their interest in this position, a complete CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for three references to matthew.bakker@umanitoba.ca AND olivia.wilkins@umanitoba.ca. Only shortlisted candidates will receive follow up communication.

Download the full job posting here

Wilkins Lab

Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Plant Systems Biology Group (www.oliviawilkinslab.com)

The MSc student will join a multi-year (2023-2026), multi-institutional project funded through the NSERC-FRQNT NOVA grants program. The interdisciplinary project includes a team of early career researchers and trainees working together to study the role of postranslational modifications in gene regulation.

Download the full opportunity posting here.

Start Date: September 1, 2023 or January 1, 2024

Details for formal applications (post-selectioon by Wilkins Lab)

Application details: hUps://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/biological-sciences-msc UM deadlines for admission are as follows:

• Canadian and US applicants
  o September start – June 1st to January start – October 1st

• International applicants
  o January start – July 1st

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor in Bean Breeding and Computational Biology

Department: Plant Agriculture

Date Posted: March 29, 2023

Deadline: June 1, 2023 or until a suitable candidate is found

Please reference AD #23-17

Position Description:

The Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Plant Breeding, at the Assistant Professor level. This position is located at the Guelph campus and requires a PhD in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, or closely related field.

The successful candidate will demonstrate teaching excellence in plant genetics and plant breeding, including quantitative genetics and genomics, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. They will supervise MSc and PhD students in their thesis research, and also contribute to instruction in a course-based Masters program in Plant Agriculture. The chosen candidate will manage an existing, successful breeding program developing commercially viable edible bean cultivars adapted to the Ontario production environment, and will develop and lead a comprehensive, externally funded research program.

The successful candidate will join a world-class, collaborative faculty in the Department of Plant Agriculture, with members conducting cutting-edge research in the disciplines of plant breeding and genetics, weed science, plant pathology, soil science, agronomy, plant physiology, plant conservation, and plant-based bioproducts. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications. The department will provide competitive research start-up funds; other research support and subsidized access to research facilities is available through the Research Alliance Agreement between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Department of Plant Agriculture is Canada’s largest and most diverse applied plant biology department in Canada and has recognized strengths in a broad cross-section of plant sciences including agronomy, horticulture, breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, controlled environment systems, plant physiology, post-harvest physiology, plant pathology, and plant-based bioproducts. The Department currently has 30 faculty members and employs 100 staff and more than 100 graduate students. Faculty within the Department have access to modern laboratory, growth room and greenhouse facilities, as well as fourteen well-equipped research stations across the province. As part of the Ontario Agricultural College, Plant Agriculture has a long history of achievement in serving the agriculture and agri-food industries within Ontario and beyond.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on June 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should consist of the following materials in a single PDF file:

1. Letter of interest
2. Teaching philosophy statement (1 page)
3. Research interests statement: short- and long-term (1 Page)
4. Curriculum vitae
5. EDI Statement: Describe the strategies you will use to foster inclusion and support a diverse community in your research program and classrooms (300 word maximum)
6. References: Contact information for three (3)

Email applications to:

Dr. Hugh Earl, Chair
c/o Jen Kingswell, Chair's Administrative Assistant
Department of Plant Agriculture
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Email: applypag@uoguelph.ca 

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

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion  (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.

As a signatory of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion, Dalhousie has committed to taking decisive action to recruit Black scholars to the university and to employ best practices to support their retention and advancement. This commitment is expressed in our Strategic Plan’s second pillar, Inclusive Excellence. In keeping with these commitments and our institutional drive and obligation to enrich our research, teaching, and learning environment and community engagement, Dalhousie University invites applications for the below position.

This opportunity is part of a cluster hiring initiative supported by the Dalhousie Diversity Faculty Award (DDFA) program. In keeping with the principles of employment equity, the DDFA program aims to correct historic underrepresentation. This initiative will support inclusive excellence by appointing five Black scholars to the university across multiple disciplines. Cluster hires promote interdisciplinary collaboration, while creating communities of support for scholars from underrepresented groups. These new scholars will find opportunities for scholarly contributions, collaboration, and support as Fellows of the newly established Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI) and will contribute to our emerging transdisciplinary program in Black and African Diaspora Studies (BAFD).

Further information about this initiative may be found here https://www.dal.ca/dept/senior-administration/provost-vp-academic/inclusive-hiring.html

The Faculty of Science invites applications for a career-stream appointment at the rank of Instructor, or Assistant, Associate or Full Professor. The successful candidate will contribute to one of the disciplines in the Faculty and Dalhousie’s transdisciplinary BSRI and BAFD.

Prospective candidates should be aware of the breadth of disciplinary areas in the Faculty – Economics, Psychology and Neuroscience, Physics and Atmospheric Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Resource and Environmental Studies, Medical Sciences, Marine Affairs, Biology and Marine Biology, Chemistry, and Oceanography.

The successful candidate will be provided with substantial start-up and longer-term resources to support their work.

Candidates are expected to hold a PhD in any disciplinary area existing in the Faculty of Science, and their scholarly work should overlap the BSRI/BAFD and a discipline in the Faculty. Without being prescriptive, potential areas include Racism in Science, Economics of Racism/African Economic history/Economics of inequality/Sexuality in Economics, Psychology and the Black experience (e.g. Mental health in Black populations). Social justice elements of research, such as the use of statistical methods in understanding exclusion, medical physics and health disparities, or resource and environmental studies in Black communities, are some other connected areas. For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Kevin Hewitt ( Kevin.Hewitt@Dal.ca ), Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion in the Faculty.

The Faculty of Science is the largest at the university, and values strong teaching, outreach, and research. Over 250 faculty and staff members are spread across our 19 programs, eight departments and dozens of research units. Our faculty and staff members deliver some of the best science programs in Canada.

The successful candidate will join a supportive Faculty that has several initiatives in place to accelerate and complement their research, teaching, and outreach/community interests. Black faculty are in leadership roles in the Dean’s office and at the departmental level, and are resident in Economics, Physics and Atmospheric Science, Psychology and Neuroscience and Biology. The Faculty is also home to the two decades old and award winning STEM outreach program for Black students, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA).

Information about the Faculty of Science may be found here: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science.html

Dalhousie University is located in Nova Scotia, Canada (Mi’kma’ki) with four campuses in Halifax and Truro, and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John, New Brunswick. As Atlantic Canada’s primary research-intensive university and a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities, our 13 academic Faculties expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that results in more than $214 million in research funding each year.

Each year, Dalhousie welcomes almost 21,000 students from more than 115 countries around the world. A diverse population of Black students call Dalhousie home, including those from African Nova Scotian, Black/African Canadian, and international communities. The United Nations recognized African Canadians as a distinct group and Dalhousie acknowledges African Nova Scotians as a distinct people who have shaped the province and the university for centuries. In 2018, Dalhousie launched the African Nova Scotian Strategy, which was then further updated in 2021 through the work of the strategy’s working group, which includes Dalhousie’s Director of African Nova Scotian Community Engagement. The Strategy is aimed at ensuring sustainable initiatives that support African Nova Scotian students, staff, and faculty members.

Dalhousie has a strong history of introducing ground-breaking initiatives that have created many opportunities for Black students including the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative at the Schulich School of Law and Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians program. The university has also developed strong ties to several organizations serving that community, for example to the African Canadian Services Branch of the Department of Education – the only such branch in Canada serving Black students in K-12, to the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute and to the Afrocentric Math cohort at Auburn High school.

In 1970, Dalhousie established the Transition year Program (TYP), which provides opportunities for individuals who may face barriers to post-secondary education to prepare for all aspects of academic life and gain access to the university. Nearly two decades ago, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy was established, an innovative university-community partnership designed to create pathways into STEM for students of African descent.

Dalhousie established the James R. Johnston (JRJ) Chair in Black Canadian Studies in 1991 which was at the time, the only endowed Black Studies Chair at a Canadian university. The current Chair, Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, recently established the Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI), a pan-university institute centering transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in Black studies. The BSRI will intersect closely with the university’s minor in Black and African Diaspora Studies, developed by former JRJ Chair Dr. Afua Cooper, and the university is now working on a proposal for a full degree program, the development of which is being championed by members of Dalhousie’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus and supported by senior leaders across the university.

Dalhousie was also the first in Canada to join the Universities Studying Slavery group of institutions, out of which the Lord Dalhousie Report was published. Recommendations led to the Sankofa scholarships, renaming of streets to reflect the Black contribution to Canada and a concerted plan in our international strategy to form even more meaningful educational partnerships with the Caribbean.

As a signatory of the Scarborough Charter, and in keeping with these long-standing institutional commitments to recruiting and supporting Black faculty, staff, and students across the university, Dalhousie is now in an excellent position to support this cluster hiring initiative and candidates will enter a Faculty and university that has demonstrated outstanding and unique support for Black faculty and students.

More information about Dalhousie may be found here: www.dal.ca

A complete application includes a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, statement of teaching interests (2 pages max), statement of research interest (2 pages max), EDIA statement (1 page max) describing potential links between the applicant’s discipline and the BSRI/BAFD. Applicants should also supply the names and contact information for three referees.

This position is designated to candidates who self-identify as persons of Black/African descent, especially African Nova Scotians. All such qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie recognizes that candidates may self-identify in more than one equity-deserving group, and in this spirit, we encourage applications from candidates who (in addition to being of Black/African descent) also identify as Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), members of other racialized groups, women, persons with a disability, and/or members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

See https://www.dal.ca/dept/hr/employment_equity/definitions-equity-deserving-groups.html for definitions of equity-deserving groups.

International applicants are encouraged to note that while we must give priority to Canadian applicants, there are several routes to Canadian work permits. These include the Mobilité Francophone program for French-speaking applicants, the CUSMA agreement for applicants from the United States or Mexico, and others. If you are an international applicant wondering about your potential eligibility to work in Canada, please contact Miriam.Breslow@dal.ca.

Dalhousie’s vaccine mandate has been suspended at this time, and employees no longer need to provide proof of full vaccination. However, health and safety risks will continue to be monitored, and a vaccine mandate may be reinstated if necessary.

Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed online at: www.dal.ca/policies. To request accommodation at any stage in the hiring process, please contact Dawn Belliveau ( Dawn.Belliveau@dal.ca ), Executive Assistant to the Dean.

Review of applications will begin March 1, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

 

Professor or Associate Professor, Tenured

About the Position

The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science seeks applications from outstanding scientists for an NSERC Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Plant Synthetic Biology.

Consistent with the gender equity goals of the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Department of Biological Sciences, this position is targeted to individuals who self-identify as women. The successful candidate will apply molecular and/or genetic engineering approaches to enhance crop value, select or develop new strains/products, and/or address environmental concerns. The ideal candidate will be interested in developing collaborations with local Niagara agricultural industries and taking advantage of existing research and development support through Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and the Brock–Niagara Validation, Prototyping, and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI). There will be opportunities to collaborate with plant biologists in Biological Sciences as well as colleagues in the departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, and elsewhere. Brock University is located a short drive from a cluster of research universities in southern Ontario.

The home department of Biological Sciences is a dynamic department within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (see brocku.ca/mathematics- science/biology/). The department enjoys large and growing undergraduate and graduate student populations as well as active, diverse, and collaborative research faculty. Biological Sciences offers BSc, MSc, and PhD programs in Biological Sciences and in Biotechnology. Cross-appointments to other departments are also possible, including contributing to graduate programs currently being developed in the new Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering.

The candidate’s laboratories are expected to be in the Cairns’ Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which includes a 2,500 square foot shared main wet lab with 600 square feet of shared HQP office space. There is an adjacent 2,000 square foot phytotron and an additional 1,000 square feet of ancillary research space that houses plant tissue culture facilities. Additional laboratory space may also be available as needed. Mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing capabilities are available on campus.

 

About Brock University

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work in St. Catharines and the Niagara region. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.

Established in 1964 and located in one of the most historic parts of Canada, the Niagara Region, Brock University is one of Canada’s top post-secondary institutions. Brock serves its community as a cultural, academic, and recreational centre, bringing excellent facilities to the people who created the University all those years ago. Brock is committed to building the Niagara community and to fostering an environment that serves its students and their neighbours. With a student population of almost 19,000, approximately 1,500 faculty and staff including over 600 faculty members, and a network of over 100,000 accomplished alumni, Brock University has forged a reputation as a modern and innovative comprehensive institution. Brock has six teaching Faculties offering a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. It also features one of Canada’s most diversified co-operative programs and a range of experiential, service, and creative learning opportunities. Brock is committed to fostering excellence in academic programs, research, creativity, and community-engaged teaching, learning, and scholarship. With world-class facilities, providing over $11 million in awards programs to current and prospective students, ranked #2 in Canada for overall student satisfaction and #1 in Canada for mental health services, at Brock University, student success and the student experience are at their core.

Brock University is committed to building inclusivity and equity through understanding and respect for diverse identities. These commitments are reflected in our approaches to teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, administration and service provision, and community engagement. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in the recognition that the strongest research, scholarship, and creative activity and the best research training environment require engagement of scholars from diverse backgrounds.

Consistent with Brock University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of the federally designated groups in the Canada Research Chairs program, and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, this position will be filled by a candidate who self-identifies as a woman. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. To ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s Canada Research Chair program, all applicants are requested to respond to the voluntary self-identification questions presented in the online application system.

Differing career patterns may be more common among members of designated groups, and those who have experienced leaves from the workplace. These differences shall be taken into account in assessing the experiences and qualifications of applicants.

The Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program

The successful candidate will be eligible to hold a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor. The successful candidate will be supported to prepare a nomination to the next available deadline for the Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program.

The Canada Research Chairs program recognizes outstanding scholars at all career stages and is a key mechanism for Canadian universities to attract and retain the best talent from around the world to achieve excellence in research and research training. Canada Research Chairs advance the frontiers of knowledge in their fields through their scholarly research, teaching, and supervision.

Tier 1 Chairs are tenable for seven years and renewable once for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. To meet the criteria of the program, individuals must demonstrate substantial accomplishments that have had major impact in their discipline at the international level. They also should have superior records of supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and are expected to attract and retain future researchers.

Nominations for Canada Research Chairs are subject to review and final approval through the CRC Program. Benefits associated with Chair appointments include teaching release and start-up research funds. A separate application may be made to the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) for research infrastructure needs. Eligibility criteria and CRC program information can be found at the following website: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca. For more information about Brock’s CRC program, please contact Matthew Rätsep <mratsep@brocku.ca>.

Application Process and Timelines

Candidates are invited to submit an application that includes the following:

·       A letter of interest (suggested 2 pages) outlining:

·       Your qualifications for a successful Tier 1 Chair nomination funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; and

·       The fit of your profile and expertise with one or more of the identified research areas.

·       A description of your research plan (suggested 2–3 pages), including:

·       Your vision for the future research program as a Tier 1 CRC at Brock;

·       Novel opportunities for training highly qualified personnel; and

·       The potential for the Chair to enhance the scholarly leadership and innovation capacity of the Department, Faculty, and University in strategic areas.

·       An updated and complete curriculum vitae.

·       Up to six representative recent publications.

·       A statement of teaching philosophy, mentorship philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students (suggested 2 pages).

·       A statement of strengths and experiences in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion in science through research, curriculum, community outreach, and student support (suggested 1 page).

·       The names and contact information of three referees who could provide confidential letters of assessment that speak to the candidates’ suitability to hold a faculty position and Tier 1 CRC at Brock University.

Please apply online using the “Apply” button. A single PDF document containing all application elements is preferred. (Note: File maximum of 5MB per attachment upload.)

Review of applications will begin May 1, 2023.

The effective date for the academic appointment may be as early as January 1, 2024, but is negotiable with the Faculty Dean. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval.

It is expected that this search will lead to a nomination in April 2024, for which a decision from the CRC Program is anticipated in October 2024, which is the earliest date when the CRC position can begin.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Fiona Hunter, Chair of Biological Sciences <fhunter@brocku.ca> or Dr. Jeff Stuart <jstuart@brocku.ca>, Chair of the CRC recruitment committee.

Initial posting date: January 19, 2023.

 

Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website at the following link:

 

https://brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/brocku_careers/job/NSERC-Tier-1-Canada-Research-Chair-in-Plant-Synthetic-Biology---Professor-or-Associate-Professor--Tenured_JR-1013949

 

Our Commitment

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. LGBTQ is an umbrella category and shall be read to include two-spirited people. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups can fill out the Self-Identification questions included in the questionnaire at the time of application.

 

Brock University recently paused its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirement although this decision is subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it. If the University once again requires all employees working on campus and/or in-person with other employees, students, or members of the public to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination. Those who meet specific and limited medical or human rights accommodation criteria may be required to participate in rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening protocols.

 

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

 

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca  to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

 

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  

 

At this time, initial interviews will be conducted virtually.

 

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca