Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Molecular, Cellular and Microbial Biomanufacturing

Job title: Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Molecular, Cellular and/or Microbial Biomanufacturing
Position code: 24-C-BIO-O
Date posted: December 17, 2024
Application deadline: February 28, 2025
Advertised until: Position is filled

Position description

The department of Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position with the opportunity to apply for a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Biomanufacturing and Applied Synthetic Biology. This is a research-intensive tenure-track faculty position, and we are seeking candidates who will have a strong background in pure and applied eukaryotic cell biology research, a feasible plan to develop and use workflows involving high-throughput methods and/or bioprocessing, and a strong capacity to establish a research program that will benefit from and foster growth in our innovative, state-of-the-art Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Genome Foundry and Bioprocessing Facility.

Qualifications and assets 

Candidates must have a PhD in the life sciences and postdoctoral experience in cell biological research involving any of the major experimental systems, e.g. mammalian cells, C. elegans, yeast, Arabidopsis, algae. They also must have high potential to 1) attract substantial external research funding, 2) provide high quality supervision to multiple trainees, 3) exercise leadership in their field of research and 4) achieve international recognition as required by the CRC Tier II program. While extensive teaching experience is not required, candidates are expected to demonstrate aptitude for excellent teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels.

Candidates eligible for Tier II chair positions must be excellent emerging scholars within 10 years of their highest degree at the time of nomination (exclusive of career interruptions).  Potential Tier II candidates who are more than 10 years from their highest degree should take note that certain career interruptions may still make them eligible for nomination. Potential candidates are encouraged to submit a formal justification by means of the Tier II Justification Assessment Form, which will be considered in the review of applications. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and acceptable justifications to the extension of the eligibility term.

Notwithstanding the above and irrespective of their submission of a formal justification, candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile . Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.  

How to Apply 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements: 

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

or 

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Application packages should be addressed to, Dr. Michael Sacher, Chair of the Department of Biology, and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code [24-C-BIO-O], the name and complete contact information (phone and email) of three references in the cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of three representative publications; a statement of research achievements and plans, including explanations of the three most important research contributions to date; and a statement of teaching philosophy/interests, including evidence of teaching interests and effectiveness. Applications should be submitted electronically to the Department of Biology at ian.tonnies@concordia.ca, with the subject heading CRC Application in Molecular, Cellular and/or Microbial Biomanufacturing by February 28, 2025, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence in August, 2025. All inquiries regarding this position can be directed to the Chair of Biology: biology.chair@concordia.ca.

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society. 

Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to: 

• teaching about underrepresented populations 
• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds 
• committee work 
• offering or organizing educational programming 
• participation in training and workshops 

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.