Program Description
The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in recruiting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional support to advance transformative research in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Biomedical Sciences at McGill University invites applications for a full-time tenure track Assistant Professor position with a focus on Biosensing, including molecular, cellular, chemical, or physical biosensors.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering seeks a candidate who will develop an independent research program on biosensing, to study the impact of the environment (including toxic exposures, nutrition, microbiome, etc.) on human health. We welcome candidates with expertise in biosensing, including in the design and/or use of biosensors, such as biosensors based (i) on molecules (e.g. affinity binders, antibodies, aptamers enzymes); (ii) on natural or artificial cells and synthetic biology; or (iii) on physical and chemical sensors; and (iv) in the integration of biosensors with detection systems and instrumentation including, but not limited to microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, wearables, implantables and ingestibles. Expertise in continuous monitoring, small molecule (e.g. metabolite) sensing, or computational and machine learning-based biosensors and biosensing will be considered assets.
The successful candidate will advance transformational research programs that support the growth of Canada’s global leadership in the strategic priority area of ‘Health, including biotechnology’. This position contributes to the broader goal of transforming medicine from reactive approaches toward preventative and sustainable models of health, informed by a One Health perspective. The research program should align with McGill’s Strategic Research Plan, particularly its Health and Well-Being and Technologies and Applications for Society priority areas, while building on institutional strengths in climate change and health, precision and data-driven health, emerging technologies, and translational research. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the research program will help address complex health challenges and support McGill’s commitment to the responsible development and application of innovative technologies with meaningful societal impact. It will also promote connections among researchers, clinicians, healthcare systems, industry, and communities, especially communities particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the environment on health.
The research is also expected to strengthen the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Strategic Research Plan, Together for Better Health, which emphasizes the continuum from foundational discovery to clinical application and real-world impact. McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is internationally recognized for excellence in research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together with Quebec’s vibrant health innovation ecosystem, the environment offers an exceptional opportunity for establishing a world-leading independent research program with significant scientific, clinical, and societal impact.
The successful candidate will be required to begin a full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor no later than July 1, 2027, in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This may include a joint appointment with McGill-affiliated institutes and centres.
Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program
The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in recruiting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional support to advance transformative research in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world.
The successful candidate will be expected to propose an independent research program demonstrating strong alignment with the program’s strategic priority of ‘Health, including biotechnology’. The Emerging Leaders Program award is valued at $100,000 per year over six years to support the Early Career Researchers’ Research Program, with the possibility of extension for a further six years.
An exceptional environment for Biosensing research and translation
The candidate will join a growing research community in biosensing and wearables, strengthened by McGill’s recent recruitment of Professor Sameer Sonkusale through the $10 M Canada Eddie Goldenberg Chairs of Canada program to the Department of Biomedical Engineering within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The candidate’s research program will complement the strategic research cluster in biosensors and wearables in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as in the Faculty of Engineering, positioning McGill as global leader in this area.
McGill offers an exceptional end-to-end pipeline for translating technologies from ideation to clinical applications and clinical trials. The candidate will benefit from on-site expertise and infrastructure spanning molecular and device design, microfabrication, rapid prototyping, systems integration, AI-enabled sensing, clinical research, and technology translation. McGill Nanotools Micro- and Nanofabrication Facility is recognized as one of the leading microfabrication facilities globally, and its suite of instrumentation and equipment will be expanded to include modern rapid prototyping equipment as part of the new Impact+ Research Chair.
The candidate will also benefit from McGill’s strong innovation and commercialization ecosystem, including the Office of Innovation and Partnerships, the Technology Transfer Office, and entrepreneurship promotion through the McGill Innovation Fund, the Clinical Innovation Platform, the Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, and the McGill Engine that collectively provide $825K in annual nondilutive funding (the largest in Canada). These resources support the progression of promising discoveries toward intellectual property, partnerships, clinical validation, and new ventures, and provide opportunities to engage with industry and healthcare partners throughout the innovation pathway.
The successful candidate will join McGill during a period of exceptional institutional investment with the $820 M Sustainability Park and the Climate Change and Health Centre. The successful candidate will also benefit from extensive opportunities for collaboration with researchers in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Goodman Cancer Institute, the Dahdaleh Institute for Genomic Medicine, School of Population and Global Health), the Faculty of Engineering, the McGill-affiliated hospitals and research institutes, as well as with the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. McGill strongly encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across Medicine, Engineering, and Science, as well as partnerships with industry and government that accelerate translation of fundamental discoveries.
Job Duties
The successful applicant will be expected to:
· Develop an independent research program of the highest international standards in their own areas of expertise related to biosensing, aligned with the priorities of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
· The research program is expected to include interdisciplinary collaboration with relevant partner units within the University and its affiliates, as well as in Canada and internationally
- Successfully compete for research funding
- Supervise a diverse body of graduate students
- Serve in administrative roles within their units, the university, and the wider scholarly community
- Contribute to formal classroom teaching equivalent to at least one graduate course in their area of expertise and supporting and complementing the existing offerings
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and other knowledge translation and exchange activities
- Integrate equity, diversity, and inclusiveness (EDI) considerations into research design and practices and create an equitable and inclusive research environment.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
Only candidates who were internationally based, both working and residing outside Canada, on July 4, 2026 are eligible.
Candidates must be within five years following the start date of their first research-related appointment, minus the length of any eligible delays in research. Recent graduates and postdoctoral fellows may also be eligible.
Research-related appointments are defined as those where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently.
Eligible leaves, including maternity, parental, medical, and bereavement leave, are credited as twice the amount of time taken. Professional leaves, including training, sabbatical, and administrative leave, are not credited.
A PhD is required by McGill University for appointment to a tenure-track position; however, it is not a requirement of the Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program itself.
Candidates should review the eligibility and selection criteria for the Impact+ Program prior to applying.
Canadians living abroad who wish to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through Workday, McGill’s HR management system.
Use a personal email address when creating an account in Workday. Refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.
Required Documents
The application package should include the documents listed below and must be merged into one single PDF file not exceeding 5 MB.
- 1-page executive summary
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of research describing current and future research, alignment with the strategic priority area, and potential for knowledge translation, mobilization, and application of research results (maximum 2 pages)
- Research infrastructure needs: laboratory space, equipment (maximum 1 page)
- Teaching statement and dossier (maximum 1 page)
- Contact information for three references
Job Details
Job Type: Tenure-track
Rank: Assistant Professor
Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Posting Period
Inquiries from potential candidates are welcome and will be treated in strict confidence. Correspondence can be directed to Sonia.nardini@mcgill.ca
Commitment to Equity and Diversity
Please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located. McGill University offers immigration and relocation support for selected candidates.
McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.
McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.
McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, Catherine Roy accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
Posting date: October 1, 2026
Closing date: November 7, 2026
McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.
McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
