Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Microbial Therapeutics

University of Calgary

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).

The Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, the Department of Medicine, and the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases invite applications for an appointment with Tenure at the Associate Professor or Professor level. The selected candidate will be nominated for a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Tier I Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Microbial Therapeutics. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx) including eligibility criteria.

Qualifications include a PhD, with completed post-doctoral training, or an MD/PhD, with completed residency training in gastroenterology, infectious diseases or relevant internal medicine subspecialty, and eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. A deep knowledge and skills in microbial therapeutics and significant experience leading related translational research or clinical trials is desired.

Applicants at the Associate Professor level must present evidence of an established, externally funded (at the level of Canadian Tri-Council or equivalent peer-reviewed National/International organization) research program focused on microbial therapeutics, and a strong publication record that reflects their experience in discovery science, translational science and/or clinical trials research. Evidence of successful teaching and/or graduate supervision, National/International research collaborations, and experience creating and leading interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams are required assets in the applicant.

Applicants at the Professor level must present evidence of a well-established, externally funded (at the level of Canadian Tri-Council or equivalent peer-reviewed National/International organization) research program focused on microbial therapeutics, and an extensive impactful publication record that reflects their experience in discovery and/or translational science and/or clinical trials research. Evidence of successful teaching and/or graduate supervision, National/International research collaborations, and experience creating and leading large interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams are all required.

The successful candidate will lead an interdisciplinary program in the identification, development and therapeutic use of the microbiota or microbiota-derived products in health and disease, within the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and in partnership with Alberta Health Services. For clinician scientist applicants, duties will also include providing clinical care to patients as part of their membership within the Department of Medicine.

This position provides an opportunity for an outstanding researcher or clinician researcher to continue to grow and accelerate an active research program in microbial therapeutics, from discovery at the bench to clinical application. The Chair will be expected to engage actively with researchers and clinicians within the UCalgary International Microbiome Centre, as well as the broader community within the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services. The Chair will benefit from and contribute to a growing community of scientists focused on the microbiome and microbial therapeutics at the University of Calgary. Start-up funds will provide the Chair with resources to successfully leverage and galvanize existing initiatives at the University of Calgary into a world class centre for microbial therapeutics.

The Chair will be part of a growing cadre of highly motivated and driven individuals whose focus is microbiome research in a wide variety of disease conditions and the clinical application of novel microbial therapeutics, as supported by the International Microbiome Center, the Wild Microbiome and Immunology Center, and related leading-edge core facilities within the Snyder Institute.

There is the possibility of additional philanthropic support for the successful applicant.

The selected applicant will join the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases and become an active member of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. The Departments and Institute have a well-recognized multi-disciplinary research environment that will support the chosen applicant’s ability to direct a collaborative research program.

In addition to fostering a thriving training program, the selected candidate will participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Experience with lecturing and innovative educational approaches, course development and coordination, and a demonstrated record of impact in teaching is a requirement. The selected applicant will also have opportunities to be involved in administrative and service activities that affect the Cumming School of Medicine community.

For MD/PhD clinician scientist applicants, the selected applicant will join the Department of Medicine. Members of the Department of Medicine enjoy an attractive remuneration and benefits package through the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Academic Medicine and Health Services Program. Alberta Health Services operates five teaching hospitals in the city of Calgary. AHS serves 2.4 million residents of Southern Alberta, Southeastern British Columbia and Southwestern Saskatchewan. The Department provides academic and clinical services in an integrated manner across all of the hospital sites and in several ambulatory care settings. Please visit our website at: www.departmentofmedicine.com.

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.

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.

The University of Calgary adheres to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and strives to evaluate research impact responsibly and inclusively by explicitly considering discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.

The University of Calgary 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 give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application 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 four application attachments should be organized to contain the following (you are encouraged to merge documents to reduce the number of attachments):

• Cover letter and academic CV including the names and contact information for three referees
• Statement of research interests
• Statement of teaching interests

Questions about this position may be directed to:

Dr. Nathan Peters, PhD
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
C/O Marcy Brett (mbrett@ucalgary.ca)

View full posting and apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/15311778-canada-research-chair-tier-i-in-microbial-therapeutics-departments-of-microbiology-immunology-and-infectious-diseases-and-medicine-cumming-school-of-medicine

Application deadline: January 31, 2025

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website (http://careers.ucalgary.ca/). For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Cumming School of Medicine | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca).

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 (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

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)