Position description

The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Fungal Genomics and Biomanufacturing at the rank of Associate Professor. Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and service to the institution.

Biological Engineering and Biomanufacturing technologies are poised to transform many sectors including agriculture, human health, chemicals, and energy, leading to significant global economic impacts over the next few decades. The successful candidate will benefit from a diverse network of collaborators in the Department of Biology which will facilitate their establishment of a robust and productive research program. They will also benefit from collaborations across the university and through Concordia’s School of Health (https://www.concordia.ca/schoolofhealth.html).

Qualifications and assets

We are seeking a scientist with demonstrated potential to establish a robust, externally funded research program employing innovative genomic and synthetic biology approaches in fungal systems to identify and produce enzymes involved in biomass conversion, proteins as well as metabolites with potential application in human health, e.g. antibody or antimicrobial activities. Research programs of interest may address identification and/or production of natural products using biosynthetic gene cluster engineering and overexpression, mechanisms of regulation of secretion pathways, or carbon utilization and stress response to environmental factors. The successful candidate will be positioned within our existing research ecosystem encompassing Biological Engineering and Biomanufacturing expertise and state-of-the art facilities including the Genome Foundry, the Bioprocessing Centre, the Centre for Microscopy and Cellular Imaging, Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, the Centre for Biological Applications of Mass Spectrometry, and the School of Health. The candidate’s research is expected to integrate within these research platforms that aim to pursue important targets in multiple sectors of central importance to the Canadian economy, along with developing the enabling technologies and building blocks that will drive the Canadian biomanufacturing innovations of tomorrow. Research targets may include: (1) Sustainable food production systems, (2) Net-zero carbon chemicals and materials designs, (3) Engineering next generation therapeutics for precision health. 

Candidates must have completed their PhD in Biology or a related field. Academic or significant professional experience commensurate with an appointment at the Associate Professor level is required. The main criteria for selection are scholarly and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will provide evidence of high-quality scholarly output that demonstrates potential for independent research leading to peer assessed publications and the securing of external research funding, as well as strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals 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.

Education at Concordia University is delivered largely in person; unless otherwise specified, candidates must be able to fulfil their teaching and service duties in person on campus. Where public health or other circumstances require it, candidates may be directed to provide instruction remotely.

How to apply

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) 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

Applications should be addressed to: Dr. Michael Sacher and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (26-T-BIOL-O), a detailed curriculum vitae, a 1-2 page research plan, a teaching statement, and three letters of reference.  Electronic applications should be submitted to the Department Administrator, Ian Tonnies at ian.tonnies@concordia.ca by October 2, 2026 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 January 2027.

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.

Adaptive measures

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Dr. Mark Villacorta, Senior Equity Advisor: equity@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 4875.