Assistant/Associate Professor, Wheat Breeding and Genetics

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

Location - North and South campus. This role is in person

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in the area of Wheat Breeding and Genetics.  

The candidate’s area of research is expected to focus on fundamental and applied aspects of wheat breeding, genetics, and genomics for the development of cultivars with improved yields, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, as well as value-added and quality traits. The candidate will inherit an established breeding program and is expected to grow it into a strong and collaborative research program within the Plant Biosystems Division of the Department of AFNS. The program is expected to integrate traditional and novel breeding technologies and field and laboratory components, and the candidate will work effectively with wheat growers and the wheat industry both in Alberta and across Canada. 

The University of Alberta, as one of Canada’s premier research institutions, offers an excellent research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, including field and laboratory equipment, plant growth facilities (field, greenhouse and controlled environment plant growth chambers), two research farms, a comprehensive range of analytical research labs, and leading-edge food safety and processing laboratories at Agri-Food Discovery Place, the Agricultural Genomics and Proteomics Unit, and the Human Nutrition Research Unit.

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics or a closely related discipline. We are seeking an individual with an exemplary and proven record of research accomplishments, a sound understanding of contemporary cropping systems and the ability to develop a vibrant and growing research program as someone who is acknowledged by peers as a leader in their discipline. The candidate will have the vision and talent essential to lead a successful, collaborative research program that transcends institutional, disciplinary, and international boundaries. The candidate will be expected to teach at all levels of the curriculum, from undergraduate to graduate level courses, contribute to curriculum development and academic program planning, and to take on graduate supervision and other supervisory, service and administrative work.

The successful candidate's proposed research program should ideally conform to the University’s vision and "cornerstones" outlined in the University of Alberta institutional plan “For the Public Good” document (https://www.ualberta.ca/strategic-plan/media-library/isp/final-doc/12885institutionalstrategicplan33final.pdf ).

How To Apply:

Candidates should submit the below documents as one PDF document online

• A cover letter
• A letter of application outlining the proposed program of research
• A statement of research interest
• Curriculum vitae,
• 3 sample publications, the names and contact information of 3 referees
• A teaching dossier with evaluations of teaching performance
• A  statement on how the candidate intends to incorporate principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) into their plans for teaching, research and service.

The position will remain open until filled; however, review of applications will commence on April 13, 2023. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online by that date.  

For further information on this position, or the department, please contact the 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 nearly 15,000 employees, the University of Alberta (www.ualberta.ca) grants 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 Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) is a science-based faculty that is uniquely 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 $ 1 million and generates approximately $24 million in research and trust funds annually.

The department now has 65 academic staff (including secondments); over 100 Research Associates, PDFs, Adjunct Professors, and Visiting Scientists; 350 Administrative/Technical and Support Staff. There are approximately 350 graduate students, and over 600 undergraduate students enrolled in the BSc in Agriculture, Animal Health, Nutrition & Food Science degree programs, administered at the Faculty level. 

Greater Edmonton, with nearly 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. 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 ).

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