Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Molecular Genetics for Microbiome Editing

The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in the area of Molecular Genetics for Microbiome Editing. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) and will be nominated for a Tier II Canada Research Chair. The candidate’s research program is expected to employ genetic and biochemical methods to manipulate microbiomes. The anticipated start date for the position is May 1st, 2025.

Research area
The proposed Tier II CRC will leverage state-of-the-art molecular and analytical tools to manipulate microbiomes, either by isolating, engineering, and reintroducing specific microbes, or by editing microbial genomes in situ. The majority of bacteria, archaea and microbial eukaryotes in any natural community remain inaccessible to genome editing. Disruptive technologies will therefore be essential to map and manipulate the molecular mechanisms of microbe-microbe and host-microbe dynamics. This CRC position is aimed at researchers working in fields related to human health, but this will be broadly interpreted. Scientists working in diverse areas related to microbiome editing in human, animal, or biotechnological systems are encouraged to apply. Example research topics include (but are not limited to): introducing beneficial microbes or antimicrobial agents to selectively eliminate pathogens and treat infection; adjusting gut microbiome composition to manage or prevent chronic diseases like irritable bowel syndrome; increasing drug efficacy by changing how the microbiome influences drug metabolism; targeting the gut-brain axis to manage conditions like depression or anxiety; gene editing of the microbiome via engineered CRISPR-Cas systems; improving microbiome interactions with host immune system to prevent allergies, autoimmune disorders, or recurrent infections; altering the microbiomes of plants and livestock to improve food production; and engineering complex bioreactor communities for pharmaceutical/bioproduct synthesis.
Eligibility criteria

CRC Tier II Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Candidates for this position must hold a PhD in microbiology, microbial genetics, or a related area; and have a proven record of research excellence commensurate with their career stage. Interdisciplinarity is an asset. The CRC is expected to develop world-class research program supported by federal and provincial funding agencies like CIHR (Canadian Institute of Health Research), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), Alberta Innovates, Genome Canada, or private industry. The successful candidate should have a track record of scientific publications and/or other outputs (popular press, interviews, public or online seminars, scientific social media, clinical trials, online database development, software development, etc.). Prior experience in external research funding programs (including peer-reviewed fellowships programs), and evidence of effective student mentoring are assets.

At the time of nomination, a candidate must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years since the conferral of their highest academic degree (PhD or equivalent). Candidates who are more than 10 years beyond having earned their highest degree and who have had career breaks resulting from leaves, clinical training, etc., may have their eligibility for a CRC Tier II Chair assessed through the program’s Tier II justification process. Please contact University of Calgary’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: www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca and www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx.

About the University of Calgary.
The CRC will be integrated into extensive microbiome expertise and infrastructure at UCalgary, and will advance our reputation as a hub for breakthroughs in understanding and harnessing the power of microbiomes. The CRC will be housed in the Faculty of Science (FoS), but depending on their research focus may be cross- appointed in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) or the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). The Department of Biological Sciences in the FoS is home to the Calgary Metabolomics Research Facility (CMRF), a $5 million mass spectrometry facility that serves as the CIHR national centre for microbiome metabolomics; and the Alberta Centre for Advanced diagnostics (ACAD), a $14 million interdisciplinary facility supporting device prototyping and microbiology laboratories. Presently, 9 FoS faculty members and >20 total faculty across UCalgary work in diverse areas of microbiome research, and have assembled extensive shared resources for genomics, molecular genetics, multi-omics, and microbial cultivation, along with computational resources for multi-omics data. The chair will have access to infrastructure at the International Microbiome Centre (IMC), including germ-free and gnotobiotic small animal facilities.

The University of Calgary’s “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan outlines our commitment to harness the power of research and innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges. Transdisciplinary collaboration, community integration, and future-focused research into global priority issues are critical to achieving this goal. The CRC will participate, and take a leadership role when appropriate, in a variety of transdisciplinary research initiatives across campus in areas such as One Health, molecular diagnostics, and child health. The One Health at UCalgary research theme (https://research.ucalgary.ca/one-health) aims to systemically understand health issues on multiple scales spanning environments, communities, and individuals.

The University of Calgary is a young and ambitious comprehensive research institution. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is recognized as one of Canada’s top research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The student body includes 28,000 undergraduate and 6,800 graduate students enrolled across 100 different undergraduate, graduate or professional degree programs. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Calgary has consistently been named as one of the world’s most livable cities. It 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 in 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.

For more information: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/14226660-canada-research-chair-tier-ii-in-molecular-genetics-for-microbiome-editing

How to Apply
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via the UCalgary Careers Site. Please note that the application process allows for only four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following:
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information of three referees
• Statement of research interests (1-3 pages)
• Statement of mentorship and teaching philosophy and experience (1-2 pages).
• Statement describing prior contributions and/or philosophy in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). This should include a description of your ability to work within a culturally diverse and international student, staff, and faculty body (up to 1 page)

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 the impact of career interruptions when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Questions may be addressed to:
David Hansen,
Head, Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]

Applications will be accepted until May 17, 2024.

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 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)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science, click here.

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.

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