"Tier 2 CRC in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology"

Tier 2 CRC in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology

The Departments of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and the Department of Mathematics at The University of British Columbia (UBC) invite applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology.

Tier 2 Chairs are five-year positions, renewable once, intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have the potential to lead in their fields. Applicants must hold or be eligible to hold a full-time, tenure-stream appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor at UBC. Normally, applicants for Tier 2 Chairs should be no more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree at the time of Chair nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Effective March 1, 2020, research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized and may be counted as an eligible delay.

The Canada Research Chair Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan guides the University’s efforts to sustain the participation of people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women, and people from minoritized gender identity groups, and thus pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, UBC is currently restricted in the recruitment, selection, and nomination of CRCs to members of these groups.

Position Overview

We seek an emerging research leader for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair position in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology. The successful candidate will be eligible to hold a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, tenure, in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Medicine) and the Department of Mathematics (Faculty of Science) at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Research Focus and Expertise

The Chair will develop an internationally competitive research program in mathematical and computational modelling at the cell and/or tissue scale, motivated by, and focused on, emerging data and experimental challenges. This may include biochemical, biomechanical and biophysical modelling, image analysis and its applications to understanding biological mechanisms, and/or the development of computational methods to support biological research. The successful candidate may run their own wet lab or work primarily as a computational/theoretical scientist.

The successful candidate will enhance UBC’s growing research community in computational mathematics applied to cell biology and physiology. We seek an applicant who has a track record or is keen to develop cross-disciplinary collaborations with experimentalists and modelers in both departments, and bring modern data-driven computational modelling approaches to study cutting-edge cell biology and/or physiology.

Responsibilities

• Develop an internationally recognized research program in mathematical and computational modelling in cell biology, biomechanics and/or physiology.
• Provide mentorship to postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in mathematical modelling of biological systems.
• Attract and manage external research funding to develop and support an innovative research program.
• Collaborate across disciplines in areas such as biological modeling, image analysis, data-driven modelling, high-performance scientific computing, and development of mathematical/computational methods and tools.
• Teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage in academic service and outreach.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• A PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Biological Engineering, or a closely related field, as part of the UBC requirement.
• A developing record of research excellence in data-driven mathematical and computational modelling at the cell and/or tissue scale.
• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring at both the graduate and undergraduate levels; experience is preferred but not required.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own, and a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience in engaging with broad scientific communities and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit the following materials via the MathJobs online portal:

• Cover letter outlining interest in the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a full list of publications.
• Research statement describing current work and future research plans directed at collaborating across disciplines (3-5 pages).
• Teaching and mentorship statement detailing teaching philosophy and student supervision experience (if applicable) (1 page).
• Diversity statement describing your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion (1 page).
• References – names and contact information of three referees for the Assistant Professor rank and four arm’s length referees for the Associate Professor rank.

The expected salary for this position is $150,000 - $170,000 per annum commensurate with experience. The Faculty of Medicine is committed to offering equitable and competitive salaries, commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate. At UBC, in addition to a generous benefit package and highly valued pension plan, faculty members also have access to a comprehensive range of leaves, services, resources and career development opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc.

Should you have any queries around this position, please contact Human Resources Manager at Zaira.Khan@ubc.ca.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2025. The successful applicant will be required to prepare a CRC package by the UBC internal deadline of August 21, 2026, for the CRC deadline of October 20, 2026. The earliest anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026, or upon a later date to be mutually agreed upon. This offer of employment is contingent upon successful application and receipt of the applicable CRC award.

The Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences

The Department (www.cellphys.ubc.ca) is internationally recognized for using diverse approaches and model systems to investigate fundamental cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying human health and disease. The Department has particular strengths in cardiovascular physiology, cell biology, cancer, development, diabetes, endocrinology, neuroscience and stem cell biology, with translational research projects in therapeutics and their delivery. The Department is located in the modern, highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment of the Life Sciences Institute (www.lsi.ubc.ca).

The Department of Mathematics

The Department (www.math.ubc.ca) is recognized as one of the largest and strongest in Canada, with research strengths across many fields of pure and applied mathematics. The Mathematics Department has close connections with many other units in the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Medicine, and others on campus, through its extensive teaching and research activities. UBC hosts the headquarters of the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (pims.math.ca) which supports mathematical research activities locally and across Western Canada.