Assistant Professor in Brassica and Pulse Genetics

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

Assistant Professor

Brassica and Pulse Genetics

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta is inviting applications for the tenure-track position Assistant Professor in the area of Brassica and Pulse Genetics . This is a contingent Faculty position at the Assistant Professor level. Currently, funding is available for five years.

The successful candidate will develop a research program and teach in areas focused on the application of functional genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics approaches for the genetic improvement of canola, pulse crops and other agriculturally important crops, genome and gene function analysis, plant pathology, host-pathogen interactions and sustainable pest management. The candidate will grow a strong and collaborative research program within the Plant Biosystems Division of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. The program is expected to integrate and collaborate with existing centers of excellence in the areas of crop protection, plant biotechnology, as well as environmental biosafety and sustainability, and develop key collaborations with organizations such Alberta Canola, the Canola Council of Canada, and industry partners. The candidate will be expected to teach at various levels of the curriculum, and to take on graduate supervision and other supervisory, service, and administrative work.

The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Molecular Biology, Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Crop Science, or a closely related discipline.  Experience as a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate at the University of Alberta is preferred. The individual should have demonstrated capacity to become a leader in their discipline, with the intent of leading plant science research through the application of novel technologies for the improvement of the productivity and sustainability of western Canadian cropping systems. The candidate will have the vision and talent essential to lead a successful, collaborative research program that transcends institutional and disciplinary boundaries. 

As one of Canada’s premier research institutions, the University of Alberta offers an excellent teaching and research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, including laboratory equipment and a comprehensive range of leading-edge nutrition, food, and analytical research laboratories at the Human Nutrition Research Unit, Agri-Food Discovery Place, and the Agricultural Genomics and Proteomics Unit.  The University of Alberta is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) with a Strategic Plan for EDI and to reconciliation (Indigenous Strategic Plan -Braiding Past, Present and Future).  The University is located on Treaty 6 territory, and Métis Nation of Alberta Zone 4 and recognizes and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.      

How to Apply

To apply, please select the apply Online icon below and submit the following as one attachment in PDF format:

• Cover letter that includes highlights of the candidate's profile and the names of three (3) referees.
  • To assist the University in complying with mandatory reporting requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (R203 (3)(e), please include the first digit of your Canadian Social Insurance Number at the bottom of your cover letter. If you do not have a Canadian Social Insurance Number, please indicate this at the bottom of your cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Research statement that outlines main areas of current research and short-term and long-term research goals. (2 pages maximum)
• Teaching Dossier which includes a brief teaching philosophy and evidence of, or potential for, teaching effectiveness (2 pages maximum)
• An Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) statement that describes their strengths and experiences with equity, diversity and including, and plans for advancing EDI in research, teaching, and service (2 pages maximum)
• Letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interview.

The deadline to apply is April 1, 2024. Only those applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

For further information on this position, or the department, please contact the Department Chair by email at [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.ualberta.ca/agricultural-food-nutritional-science/index.html .

With more than 40,000 students and 15,000 staff, the University of Alberta (www.ualberta.ca) grants almost 8,500 degrees annually to graduates of 388 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs. A research, medical-doctoral, multi-campus institution, the University of Alberta offers a full range of academic and professional programs.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations, and the ways of Indigenous peoples on these lands inform and guide our learning modalities and approach to community. The University of Alberta is home to the only Faculty of Native Studies in Canada, and the University of Alberta’s First Peoples’ House supports the growing enrolment of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) is a science-based faculty that is positioned within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. Our professors and students draw from the natural sciences, the social sciences and the arts and humanities to seek comprehensive solutions to some of the key challenges our province, country and world face today. ALES was founded in 1915 and has a long and rich history, tracing back to one of the oldest Faculties and earliest Departments at the University of Alberta. Teaching, research and community engagement within the Faculty are focused on healthy human environments; the sustainability of land, forests and water; the biological, economic, social and technological underpinnings of the bio-products industry; and global food systems.

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta, is a vibrant, collegial, and unique department, the first of its kind in North America. AFNS has a mission of serving the community through excellence in teaching and research in efficient and sustainable agricultural production, value added processing, food safety and human health to promote the health and quality of life.    AFNS administers a budget of about $ 38 million, including approximately $24 million in research and trust funds.

The department now has a total of 45 academic staff and over 100 Research Associates, PDFs, Adjunct professors, and visiting scientists. There are approximately 300 graduate students, and over 900 undergraduate students enrolled in BSc degrees in Agriculture, Animal Health, Nutrition & Food Science degree programs, administered at the Faculty level. 

Greater Edmonton, with over one million residents in the city and surrounding communities, is a beautiful city straddling a spectacular river valley park system. It is the capital of Alberta, with the lowest provincial tax regime in the country, and has led the nation in economic growth in the past five years. Edmonton is known as Canada’s Festival City, with more than thirty major annual festivals celebrating its rich cultural diversity and community spirit. It has all the attractions of a big city, yet it is clean, safe, and livable, with excellent schools and health care. Edmonton is located only a few hours from Banff and Jasper National Parks, which offer skiing in winter and excellent hiking and sightseeing in summer (www.edmonton.ca ). 

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.