Assistant Professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Brain Tumour and Glial Biology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Position Description

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, in partnership with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of brain tumour and glial biology. This focus area includes the cell biology, developmental biology, and physiology of brain tumours, as well as research on the interactions among the diverse cell types in tumours and between tumour and healthy brain tissue. The successful candidate will be invited to apply for a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 award.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant and collaborative brain tumour research group within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute (charbonneau.ucalgary.ca) at the University of Calgary. This multidisciplinary group of neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, and basic and translational scientists will provide the successful candidate with exciting possibilities for conducting innovative work with clinical impact. The successful applicant will also have access to a well-established tumour bank with an extensive collection of tissues and fluids from brain tumour patients. Areas of research emphasis in the Charbonneau Cancer Institute include basic cancer biology, immune oncology, cancer genomics, early cancer detection, precision oncology & experimental therapeutics, and cancer epidemiology and prevention. Our brain tumour researchers also have strong ties with clinical, basic, and translational neuroscientists within the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (hbi.ucalgary.ca).

Applicants must have a PhD degree or equivalent, at least 2 years of post-doctoral experience (or equivalent), and an outstanding record of research productivity in the area of brain tumor and glial cell biology. The candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized extramurally funded research program (for which 75% time will be protected), as well as contribute to teaching and graduate student supervision. A competitive year-round salary and an attractive start-up package will be provided. The selected candidate will also be nominated for a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Brain Tumour and Glial Biology. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website. 

Tier II Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Candidates who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and who have had career breaks, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., may have their eligibility for a Tier II Chair assessed through the program’s Tier II justification process.  Research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., closures) are recognized as, and may be counted as, an eligible delay (credited at twice the amount of time) beginning March 1, 2020. Please contact UCalgary’s Office of Research Services for more information: [email protected]. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website , including eligibility criteria. 

The University of Calgary, through its Cumming School of Medicine, its health research institutes, and its academic departments seeks to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will contribute to creating the future of health. We are committed to fostering diversity through cultivating an environment where people with a variety of backgrounds, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported.

The University recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to consider, and be sensitive to, the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via University of Calgary Careers webpage using the “Apply Now’ link.  Please be aware that the application process allows for a maximum of four attachments. Your application attachments should be organized to contain the following (which may require you to merge documents):
•    Cover letter and Curriculum vitae including the names and contact information for three referees
•    Statement of research interests and a description of a proposed 5-year research plan for the Chair 

Questions about this position may be directed to:
Sarah Childs
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
c/o Leslie McGill ([email protected])

Posting Date: October 19, 2023
Closing Date: January 20, 2024

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy  committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected] ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected] ).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website . For more information visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups . Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .
About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.