"Canada Research Chair (CRC) - Tier 1 in Metabolomics for Novel Therapeutics"

Job Details

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Metabolomics for Novel Therapeutics. The successful candidate will be appointed to a full-time tenured joint appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and jointly in the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science. The rank and tenure status will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate may be appointed to potential cross appointment(s) in other relevant departments at their request.

In recognition of Western’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of Women in our Chairholders and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, only applicants who self-identify as a woman will be considered for this CRC opportunity. The CRC Program includes individuals from Gender Equity-Seeking Groups in the designated group of Women. This includes individuals who self-identify as transgender, gender-fluid, non-binary and Two-Spirit. Applicants will be required to self-identify to the appointments committee members in their application for the position. Candidates must complete the CRC Application Form and submit it with their application materials. This information will be disclosed to members of the appointments committee responsible for the selection of candidates and senior administrative personnel supporting the committee. Self-identification of applicants will not be disclosed to advisory members to the search committee or other departmental or faculty members.

Metabolomics is an area of research that can be used to study both healthy populations as well as many different acute and chronic diseases and the goal of this position is to build capacity and leadership in this critical research area. Identifying, characterizing and following the small molecules in populations and patient cohorts provides a functional readout on the combined molecular, cellular and system-wide processes. This position can be in any area of interest but should demonstrate a strong technical ability to acquire, set up and maintain shared instrumentation. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will assume a leadership role for the shared Mass Spectrometry infrastructure in the BioCore, which is a key and growing component of the research infrastructure in the Department of Biochemistry.

This position is part of a larger initiative by Western University, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science to build a cross-departmental, world-class program in molecular biotherapeutics and diagnostics that spans the continuum from discovery to first-in-human trials. Successful candidates will join recent faculty hires across multiple departments with expertise in bioinformatics, biotherapeutics, imaging, inflammation, and public and indigenous health. They will have access to recent, professionally-managed, major on-site infrastructure investments in: multimodal and single-cell imaging, translational neuroimaging, high-throughput metabolomics, proteomics and genomics, pre-clinical biotherapeutic production, animal facilities, CL2 and 3 facilities, and GMP production. It is anticipated that successful candidates will participate in this initiative by providing their critical expertise in this continuum, and contribute to large-scale funding proposals, by working closely with clinician-scientists, basic scientists and facility directors to advance these research priorities.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent with advanced training in biochemistry, chemistry, biochemical engineering or another closely related area as and a demonstrated ability to both collaborate and to drive their own independent research. The successful candidate’s research interests will be supported by a record of impactful and significant publications as assessed by the principles of DORA. They should be a recognized national or international leader as exemplified by invited lectures and/or conference symposia as appropriate for their discipline and career stage. Candidates must demonstrate career-stage appropriate external peer-reviewed funding (e.g., CIHR, NIH). Successful candidates will have a record of incorporating EDID principles into their research, teaching and/or mentorship.

In accordance with the criteria for a Tier 1 CRC appointment (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/) the successful candidate must be an outstanding and innovative world-class researcher who is recognized internationally as a leader in their field. The successful candidate must have demonstrated excellence in research, a record of external research funding, research impact, leadership in collaborative research environments, and high-quality training of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The applicant must have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. While this is a research-intensive position, the successful applicant should demonstrate enthusiasm for excellence in education as contributions to graduate and undergraduate education are expected.

The University of Western Ontario recognizes the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Potential candidates are encouraged to explain within their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record, and to submit a full career or extended CV to a chairholder position in cases where they have had career interruptions.

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has emerging and established research foci in sustainable healthy aging, infection and immunity, cancer research and neurobiology. Within this context there is a special emphasis on biomedical research and teaching with a focus on human health and disease. Relevant to this CRC position, the Basic Medical Science and Clinical Departments within Schulich provide key support and expertise in basic, clinical, and applied aspects related to the biochemistry, cellular physiology and molecular biology of cells, microorganisms, and systems. The Faculty supports excellence in: Research and scholarship; Training and mentorship of undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral/clinical fellows by providing hands-on, technical laboratory and research experience; Teaching of undergraduate Bachelor of Medical Science (BMs) students, graduate students and professional students in Medicine and Dentistry.

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is home to several research facilities and state-of-the-art core facilities at Western that have been revitalized through recent major investments. At the molecular and cellular level, the School has the London Regional Genomics facility that support genomics and transcriptomics at the single cell level, the Flow Cytometry and the Molecular Pathology Core. Within the Department of Biochemistry, the BioCORE contains shared facilities for Mass Spectrometry for proteomics and metabolomics, NMR facilities for both protein and small molecule characterization and facilities for biophysical characterization of proteins and metabolites. The Western Biotherapeutics Centre is a new facility that is geared towards developing molecular biotherapeutics. Outside of Biochemistry and at the macro level, core facilities include a Biomedical Research Facility for animal housing, an Animal Cognition and Behavioural Neuroscience Core, a Translational Imaging Research Facility, and an Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation (ImPaKT) Facility with Containment Level 2+ and 3 cell culture laboratories and animal housing. More information can be obtained at: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/research/research_excellence/core_facilities.html.

The Department of Biochemistry is a research-intensive department with strong upper year undergraduate, and strong graduate programs. The Department has 22 faculty, engaged in a diverse portfolio of research that includes areas of focus in metabolomics, proteomics, synthetic biology and macromolecular structure and function determination.

The Department of Chemistry is a research-intensive department in Western’s Faculty of Science, with both undergraduate and graduate programs. The Department is home to 30 faculty, including 10 current or former Canada Research Chairs and NSERC Industrial Research Chairs. Chemistry at Western has core research strengths in molecular and macromolecular materials, as well as surface and interfacial chemistry and corrosion science. The Department has faculty placed in the London Regional Cancer Program and adjunct faculty members at the Lawson Research Institute and cyclotron facility. Western Chemistry has comprehensive in-house core infrastructure including modern NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction facilities.

With annual research funding exceeding $300 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities, and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Further details can be accessed at: http://www.uwo.ca/hr/benefits/your_benefits/faculty.html. Western’s Recruitment and Retention Office is available to assist in the transition of successful applicants and their families.

Western’s campus is in London, Ontario, a city with a population of approximately 400,000, located midway between Toronto and Detroit. With an extensive park system, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is known as the “Forest City”. London has a reasonable cost-of-living and hosts an international airport, galleries, theatre, music, sporting events, and excellent restaurants.

Applications will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee and must include the following:

• A completed regular full-time faculty application form that can be found at the following link: CRC Application Form.
• A cover letter addressing how your expertise fits this position and complements existing strengths at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• A plan identifying your proposed research program and most significant contributions to the field metabolomics. In your statement, describe how your past contributions connect with your research plan and how your research plan will build research capacity at Western (up to five single -spaced pages, 1” margins and font size 12)
• A statement of your overall teaching and mentoring philosophies. This statement should include descriptions of past formal and informal mentorship experience, and plans for mentorship and training at Western (up to two single-spaced pages, 1” margins, font size 12). If available, summaries of teaching evaluations should be provided in addition to these two pages.
• A statement on how your track record and plans create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for research, teaching, and service (up to two single-spaced pages, 1” margins, font size 12)
• The names and email addresses of 3 academic referees.

The application package should be assembled into a single PDF document for submission to Dr. Gloor via email to jessica.jamieson@schulich.uwo.ca.

The anticipated start date will be July 1, 2026 or as negotiated. The successful candidate will be expected to apply for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the first available competition after their appointment. Consideration of applications will begin on January 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.