Associate or Full Professor in molecular engineering – Canada Impact+ Research Chair

Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine is one of the world’s leading French-language medical faculties. In both teaching and research, its mission is to actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge and mastery of skills needed to improve healthcare.

The Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Université de Montréal is a unique department that brings together both basic researchers in the fields of cell biology and cancer, and clinical pathologists who practice in hospitals. World-class research is conducted here in areas such as cancer cell signaling, the cell biology of Parkinson’s disease, and the structural biology of cancer-related proteins.

Several research centres and institutes (IRIC, Institut Courtois d’innovation biomédicale, and IRCM) in the greater Montreal area are affiliated with or associated with the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal. As a faculty member in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, you will be expected to develop your research program within one of these centres.

As part of the 2026 Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program competition, the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology is recruiting a professor at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to advance research and teaching in molecular engineering.

The program awards Chairs of two award values: $8 million over eight years ($1 million per year); or $4 million over eight years ($500,000 per year). The chair offered under this call will have a value of $1 million per year for a duration of eight years. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate in preparing the application, leading up to its submission in June 2026.

Day-to-day responsibilities
Through your undergraduate and graduate-level teaching, and your research activities, you will contribute to the faculty’s pursuit of excellence. Furthermore, you will promote your discipline and actively participate in the daily activities of a renowned institution. As a Professor and holder of an Impact+ Canada Research Chair, you will:

• Leverage your world-class leadership in the field of cancer molecular biology in alignment with the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities, with the potential to generate positive social, economic and health benefits for Canadians;
• Develop an independent, innovative, and internationally competitive research program in your area of expertise. Priority will be given to research programs aimed at developing innovative approaches to investigate immune functions across multiple scales—from molecules to organisms—with the goal of characterizing protective immune processes and leveraging them for therapeutic interventions;
• Actively foster co-creation of research projects and initiatives with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, and non-profit) to enhance the translation and application of research outcomes in infectious diseases and other conditions, such as cancer, for the benefit of society at large. The successful candidate will also facilitate the mobilization and deployment of the Chair’s research results through diverse mechanisms to promote the health of Canadians and stimulate economic growth and social innovation;
• Have the opportunity to apply for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation(CFI);
• Teach at all levels of study in your area of expertise;
• Contribute to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to the training and mentoring of Master’s and Doctoral students as well as postdoctoral fellows in the completion of theses and dissertations;
• Actively participate in promoting the discipline through conferences, publications, and scientific activities related to your area of expertise;
• Lead major interdepartmental and interfaculty research initiatives with national and international scope;
• Contribute to the functioning of the institution through active participation in Departmental, Faculty, and/or University committees, as well as committees within your research centre;
• Contribute actively to the academic and scientific life of the Department, the Faculty and your research centre.

Qualifications

• Be eligible for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program and apply to the 2026 competition;
• Hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., pathology, cell biology). This requirement is set by the Université de Montréal; not by the Canada impact+ Research Chairs program;
• Have proven expertise and a strong track record in developing innovative approaches to study immune functions across multiple scales, along with a clear commitment to collaborative research with experts in bioinformatics, biochemists, virologists, cell biologists, and clinicians within the network of hospitals affiliated with the University of Montreal;
• Demonstrate leading expertise and international recognition as an expert in molecular engineering;
• Have an international profile in the field and show strong leadership in major international networks;
• Be able to lead ambitious, productive research teams;
• Possess the qualities required to conduct research that mobilizes and applies knowledge to deliver positive health, social and economic benefits for Canada and beyond;
• Have experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Have experience supervising undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees as well as research associates and other highly qualified personnel;
• Demonstrate excellent research productivity and a strong track record of research funding from recognized organizations;
• Demonstrate interest and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team (e.g., biochemists, cell biologists, bioinformaticians and clinicians);
• Have adequate proficiency of the French language or be committed to learning it once hired, through the Université de Montréal’s French language support program, in accordance with the Université de Montréal language policy.

Additional information about the position

• Competitive salary and a comprehensive range of benefits;
• Expected start date: November 1st, 2026;
• Located at the Montreal campus.

How to submit your applicationThe application file presented must include the following documents, to be submitted during the posting period, from, March 26, 2026 to April 25, 2026, inclusively:

• A cover letter;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Copies of, or links to, three recent publications or research papers;
• A statement outlining your teaching and mentoring experience and approach;
• A research program proposal;
• Contact details of three referees who will be solicited for a letter of recommendation;
• Important: the research program proposal should cover 8 years (suggested length: 4 pages maximum).

Contact information
Greg FitzHarris, Chair
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology
Faculty of Medicine
direction@patho.umontreal.ca