"Full Professor in Antiviral Cellular Immunity (HIV Cure Research) - Canada Excellence 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 Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology is a centre of excellence dedicated to deepening our understanding of interactions between microorganisms and the human body. It plays a key role in research, teaching and innovation, making significant contributions to scientific advances in the fields of microbiology, infectious diseases and immunology.

The IRCM is a unique biomedical research institute where internationally renowned researchers and clinicians collaborate under one roof.

As part of the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program competition, the Department of Microbiology, infectious diseases and immunology, in partnership with the IRCM, is recruiting a professor at the rank of Full Professor to advance research and teaching in antiviral cellular immunity, notably in the context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection with the goal of harnessing these immune responses to achieve a HIV cure.

The CERC program supports two chair categories, with maximum values of either $1,000,000 or $500,000 per year. The chair offered under this call will have a value of $500,000 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 March 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 a Canada Excellence Research Chair, you will:

• Leverage your world-class leadership in antiviral cellular immunity in alignment with the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities, with the potential to generate positive health benefits for Canadians;
• Develop an independent, innovative, world-class research program in antiviral cellular immunity. More specifically, priority will be given to research topics focused on the dynamics between HIV and the human immune system, particularly CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, with the goal of exploiting these immune responses towards finding a cure for HIV. The successful candidate is expected to have proven expertise and a track record in virology and human immunology, single-cell genomics, and the development of humanized mouse models for testing therapeutic interventions, as well as a desire to collaborate with bioinformatics experts and clinicians at the Université de Montréal who have established cohorts and biobanks relevant to the study of HIV reservoirs;
• Actively foster co-creation of research projects and initiatives with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, and community) to increase the application of research outcomes in antiviral cellular immunity, for the benefit of society at large. You will also facilitate the mobilization and application of the Chair’s research results in diverse ways to promote the health of Canadians;
• Have the opportunity to apply for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI);
• Teach virology and immunology at all levels of study;
• Supervise undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students as well as postdoctoral fellows;
• Actively participate in promoting the discipline through conferences, publications, and scientific activities related to your area of expertise;
• Contribute to the functioning of the institution by participating in departmental, faculty, and/or university committees, as well as IRCM committees.

Qualifications

• Be eligible for the CERC Program and apply to the 2026 CERC competition;
• Hold a PhD in immunology/virology or a related discipline and have significant experience as an established researcher in the areas of interest listed above. This requirement is set by the Université de Montréal; not by the CERC program;
• Demonstrate outstanding expertise and international recognition as a leader in antiviral cellular immunity notably in the field of HIV cure research;
• 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 benefits for Canadian and populations worldwide;
• Have experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Have experience supervising undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees, research associates and other highly qualified personnel;
• Demonstrated excellent research productivity and a strong track record of research funding from recognized organizations;
• Demonstrated interest and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team (e.g., immunologists, virologists biochemists, bioinformaticians, clinicians, communities);
• 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: June 1st, 2026;
• Located at the Montreal Campus.

How to submit your application
The application file presented must include the following documents, to be submitted during the posting period, from October 24 to November 30, 2025, 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 summary should cover 8 years (suggested maximum length: 4 pages).

Contact information
Jacques Thibodeau, Chair
Department of Microbiology, infectious diseases and immunology
Faculty of Medicine
jacques.thibodeau@umontreal.ca

We encourage you to complete the self-identification questionnaire. More information is available in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion section at the end of this document.

As per UdeM’s appointment procedures, members of the Assembly of Professors may consult all submitted application files. If you wish your application to remain confidential until the shortlist is established, please mention it in your application.

HEALTH AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS

• Medical, paramedical, dental and travel insurance
• Employee and Family Assistance Program along with an Institutional Health and Wellness Program
• Defined benefit pension plan with indexed pension payments upon retirement (rrum.umontreal.ca)
• Life insurance and disability income insurance

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

• Up to two years of parental leave
• Reduced workload upon return from parental leave, until the child turns two
• Two on-campus childcare centres
• Summer camps and spring break camps at UdeM’s Sports and Fitness Centre
• Compassionate leave

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Research and study leave
• Research start-up funding
• French language training program
• University-level teaching skills development activities
• Professional development and sabbatical leave allowance program

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIONThe Université de Montréal (UdeM) places equity, diversity and inclusion at the core of its mission. It adopts a broad and inclusive definition of diversity that goes beyond applicable laws, and encourages all qualified individuals, regardless of their characteristics, to apply. Women, Indigenous Peoples, members of visible or ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities are invited to apply and to complete the selfidentification form. This process directly supports employment equity objectives and helps strengthen the representation of members of these groups within our community.

Completing the self-identification questionnaire is strongly encouraged when submitting your online application.

This voluntary initiative aims to foster a diverse and equitable environment. The information provided is essential to improving UdeM’s practices and fulfilling its legal obligations. It is collected and used in strict compliance with applicable federal and provincial laws, remains strictly confidential, and will never be disclosed without your consent. It is used to advance employment equity, recognize the expertise of members of designated groups, and enhance their representation within the UdeM community.

During recruitment, selection tools may also be adapted, on a confidential basis, to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation are invited to contact, Marie-Lou Lalime at the Bureau du personnel enseignant (Faculty Office) in complete confidentiality by email (marie-lou.lalime@umontreal.ca) or by phone at 514 343-6111 ext. 5472.

In accordance with current Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

UdeM also recognizes that parental, medical, caregiver or COVID-19 related leaves can lead to career interruptions or slowdowns. Applicants are encouraged to indicate any such circumstances that may have affected their career path. This information will be fully taken into account in the evaluation of applications.