The University of Guelph (U of Guelph), located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, is a research-intensive institution renowned for its leadership in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and life sciences. Jobs at University of Guelph span faculty positions, research roles, administrative opportunities, and support staff in a vibrant academic environment. With over 30,000 students across its main Guelph campus and satellite locations in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, the university employs thousands in higher education roles that contribute to groundbreaking work in food security, environmental sustainability, and animal health.
Careers here attract professionals passionate about interdisciplinary research and teaching. The university's commitment to innovation is evident in its ranking among Canada's top research universities, with annual research funding exceeding CAD 100 million from sources like the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Whether you're a PhD holder seeking tenure-track faculty jobs or a skilled technician eyeing research assistant positions, U of Guelph offers pathways to impactful work in Canada's higher education landscape.
Established in 1964 through the merger of the Ontario Agricultural College (founded 1874), the Ontario Veterinary College (1922), and the Ontario College of Arts and Sciences (1964), University of Guelph has evolved into a global leader in agri-food and life sciences. Its history is rooted in practical education for Canada's agricultural sector, now expanded to include business, engineering, and social sciences. This legacy shapes jobs at University of Guelph, where roles often involve applied research addressing real-world challenges like climate change and food production.
The university's colleges – such as the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), College of Biological Science, and Gordon S. Lang School of Business – drive hiring in specialized fields. For instance, OVC faculty jobs focus on veterinary research, while the Lang School recruits for business professorships with an emphasis on agribusiness.
Diverse opportunities exist across academic and non-academic categories. Faculty positions include assistant, associate, and full professors, often tenure-track, requiring teaching, research, and service. Postdoctoral fellows conduct advanced research, typically 2-3 years with competitive salaries around CAD 50,000-60,000. Research assistants support labs, needing bachelor's or master's degrees. Administrative roles in student affairs or HR offer stability.
For a full breakdown, explore university job types.
Jobs at University of Guelph demand rigorous qualifications tailored to Canada's academic standards.
Required Academic Qualifications: Tenure-track faculty roles mandate a PhD in the relevant field (e.g., PhD in Animal Biology for OVC positions). Research assistants often need a BSc or MSc, while postdocs require a PhD completed within 5 years.
Research Focus or Expertise Needed: Priority areas include sustainable agriculture, one health (human-animal-environment interface), bioinformatics, and climate-resilient crops. Expertise in genomics or epidemiology is highly sought for funded projects.
Preferred Experience: 3+ years postdoctoral experience, 5+ peer-reviewed publications, and successful grant applications (e.g., NSERC Discovery Grants averaging CAD 40,000/year). Teaching experience with student supervision is essential for faculty.
Skills and Competencies:
The process begins with online submission through the university's Workday portal or platforms like higher ed jobs listings. Key documents: academic CV (Canadian format, 5-10 pages), cover letter (1-2 pages), research statement (3 pages), teaching dossier, and three references.
Leverage how to write a winning academic CV for success. Timeline: postings close 30-60 days, decisions in 3-6 months.
U of Guelph champions EDI through the Human Rights and Equity Office and Indigenous Initiatives. The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan targets 25% underrepresented faculty by 2025. Specific efforts include the President's Inclusive Excellence Hire Program, funding for women in STEM, and reconciliation with Indigenous communities via the Anishinaabe land acknowledgement. Hiring committees undergo bias training, and affinity groups support LGBTQ+ and racialized staff. In 2023, 40% of new hires were from equity-seeking groups.
Guelph's 1,017-hectare campus blends urban and rural charm, with trails, farms, and the Arboretum for recreation. Employees enjoy 35-hour weeks, 6 weeks vacation, and parental leave per Ontario standards. Wellness programs include free gym access, mental health support via Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hybrid work post-COVID. Proximity to Toronto (1 hour drive) aids work-life balance. Community events like Gryphon athletics foster belonging. Salaries competitive with Ontario peers, plus pensions and health benefits covering 90% premiums.
In Ontario's higher education sector, U of Guelph ranks high for employee satisfaction, with low turnover in research roles due to collaborative culture.
Guelph, known as "Canada's Technology Triangle gateway," offers affordable living (average home CAD 800,000) and vibrant arts scene. Jobs here align with Canada's push for agri-innovation, with proximity to research hubs like the Food and Wine Centre.
Recent highlights: U of Guelph researchers advanced biogel fire tech and decarbonization pathways. For career advice, visit higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post your profile at post a job. Explore higher ed jobs for openings.
Tenure-track: A permanent academic position leading to tenure after 5-7 years of review based on research, teaching, and service.
NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, funding agency for STEM research grants.
EDI: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – university policies promoting fair hiring and supportive environments.
One Health: Integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health, central to OVC research.
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