Assistant Professor in Cancer Biodiagnostics

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 Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pathology and Lab Medicine and Oncology, in partnership with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, invite applications for a tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level in the area of Cancer Biodiagnostics.
This area aims to advance the development and utilization of genomic, proteomic, and computational technologies to improve cancer detection, characterization, and monitoring. Research focus could include circulating blood-, fluid-, or other biosample-based molecules for therapeutic prediction (e.g., via analysis of cell-free DNA, plasma proteomics, etc), blood-based tests for quantitative disease burden monitoring, early/minimal disease detection, and quantitative spatial pathology (e.g., computational approaches to the analysis of multispectral tissue imaging, spatial proteomics, and spatial transcriptomics) – and the use of this information to inform treatment selection and adaptive oncology approaches. 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, multidisciplinary group of investigators within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute (charbonneau.ucalgary.ca) at the University of Calgary and the new Arthur JE Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The research environment, which is comprised of basic, translational, and clinical scientists will provide the successful candidate with exciting possibilities for conducting innovative work with clinical impact. Close collaboration with oncologists and pathologists, and ready access to patient tissue and fluid samples through a well-established biobank are additional key features of the environment. 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.

Applicants must have a PhD or MD degree, at least 2 years of post-doctoral experience (or equivalent), and an outstanding record of research productivity in the area of cancer diagnostic development using the methods mentioned above. 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. Eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta is required should the successful applicant be a practicing physician. 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 Cancer Biodiagnostics.

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: ipd@ucalgary.ca. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website, including eligibility criteria.

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 including names and contact information for three (3) referees. (Note that reference letters will not be required unless the applicant is short-listed for a visit/interview)
• Curriculum vitae
• Research plan statement (not to exceed 4 pages)
• Teaching statement (not to exceed 1 pages)
• Equity, diversity and inclusion statement (not to exceed 1 pages)


View full posting and apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/14165302-assistant-professor-in-cancer-biodiagnostics-department-of-biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-cumming-school-of-medicine

For more information please contact: Dr. Sarah Childs via Leslie McGill (lmcgill@ucalgary.ca)

Application deadline: May 15, 2024

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)