Canada Research Chair in Inflammation and Sustainable Healthy Aging

Canada Research Chair in Inflammation and Sustainable Healthy Aging               

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Inflammation and Sustainable Healthy Aging. The successful candidate will be appointed to a full-time probationary (tenure-track) appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, probationary or tenured. The rank and tenure status will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be appointed to the department that most appropriately fits their expertise with potential cross appointment(s) in other relevant departments.

Inflammation is a large field that impacts many different acute and chronic diseases across an aging population. An immunologist with a focus on inflammation would integrate aspects of this field including innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, and tolerance at the basic mechanistic level, and/or inflammation within specific disease contexts. Thus, diseases driven by acute inflammation or originating from trauma, infection, or that have a genetic cause that evolves into a chronic form of ‘inflammaging’ all fall within the scope of this position.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD with advanced background in inflammation, infection and immunity or related disciplines (e.g., physiology, biochemistry, medical biophysics and neuroscience) in the context of sustainable healthy aging. The successful candidate’s research interests will be supported by a record of impactful publications in excellent journals, national/international exposure through invited lectures and/or conference symposia as appropriate for their discipline and career stage, and external peer-reviewed funding (e.g., CIHR) where career stage appropriate. Successful candidates will have a record of incorporating EDIDI principles into their research, teaching and/or mentorship. Evidence of research leadership potential would be beneficial.

In accordance with the CRC program (Nominate a Chair (chairs-chaires.gc.ca) for Tier 2 Chairs, candidates must be exceptional emerging world-class researchers (i.e., candidates must have less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination) who have demonstrated particular research creativity and have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields within five to ten years. As chairholders, candidates must have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers, and be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as pregnancy, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may contact [email protected] to have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process (Nominate a Chair (chairs-chaires.gc.ca).

Western recognizes the potential impact that legitimate 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 and to submit a full career or extended CV.

One of the overarching missions of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is research in sustainable healthy aging. Within this context there is a special emphasis on biomedical research and teaching with a focus on human disease and inflammation in support of healthy aging. 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 cellular physiology and molecular biology of microorganisms, viruses, and the immune system including: (1) Research and scholarship; (2) Training and mentorship of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral/clinical fellows by providing hands-on, technical laboratory and research experience; and (3) Teaching of undergraduate Bachelor of Medical Science (BMs) students, graduate students and professional students in Medicine and Dentistry.

Our School is home to several research facilities and state-of-the-art core facilities at Western that have been revitalized through recent major investments. These facilities and cores include but are not limited to: a Biomedical Research Facility for animal housing (opens in 2023), an Animal Cognition and Behavioural Neuroscience Core, a Western Advanced Microscopy 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. In addition, our School has core facilities that support genomics and transcriptomics at the single cell level, proteomics, flow cytometry and molecular pathology. More information can be obtained at: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/research/research_excellence/core_facilities.html . With annual research funding exceeding $220 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top researchintensive 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. 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.

With an enviable national reputation and an international profile that ranks among the top universities world-wide, Western pushes the boundaries of pedagogical and scholarly excellence while setting a national standard for a student experience that is second to none. Western is a founding member of Canada’s U15, serves as a hub for more than 500 international research collaborations, and is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

There are more than 38,000 students within Western’s 12 Faculties and Schools and 3 affiliated University Colleges. Approximately 4,000 faculty and staff work in partnership to deliver 400+ specializations, majors, and minors, as well as innovative modular degree programs. For more information about Western’s strategic priorities, visit Western Strategic Plan (WesternU_Full_StratPlan_2014.pdf (uwo.ca) and Indigenous Strategic Plan (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://indigenous.uwo.ca/initiatives/docs/Indigenous-Strat-Plan---Final.pdf )and for information on Western’s research areas please visit Research Western (Western Research - Western University (uwo.ca).

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Western University recognize that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning and a community leader. Western understands that our pursuit of research excellence and our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion are mutually supporting. As such, Western is committed to achieving and maintaining an equitable representation amongst our Canada Research Chair holders, as well as within Western’s broader research enterprise.

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: (https://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/pdf/full-time-application-form.pdf).

• A cover letter addressing how your expertise fits this position and complements existing strengths at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

• A detailed curriculum vitae

• A plan identifying your proposed research program and most significant contributions to the field of inflammation, infection, and immunity in the context of sustainable healthy aging. In your statement, describe how your past contributions connect with your research plan and how your research plan connects to inflammation and sustainable healthy aging 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. Dekaban via email to [email protected].

The anticipated start date will be July 1, 2024 or as negotiated. The successful candidate will be expected to apply for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the first available competition after their appointment. Consideration of applications will begin on September 9, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communications skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

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

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the application and recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Kim Arts at [email protected] .

If you are having trouble viewing the full advertisement and/or the links in the ad, please visit our website, https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/microbiologyandimmunology/people/job_opportunities.html

Open/Close Dates: Open – now. Closes – July 1, 2024
Position Title: Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Inflammation and Sustainable Healthy Aging
Location: Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Contact Information: [email protected]