Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Computational Biology

About Us

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.

Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 21,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

Opportunity

MacEwan University’s Faculty of Arts and Science is seeking applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Computational Biology. We seek an emerging research leader who uses computational approaches to address important questions in the life sciences. The successful applicant will receive a full-time, probationary tenure-track position, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, in the Department of Biological Sciences. The position will commence July 1, 2027, subject to final budgetary approval. This position will support and build on MacEwan University’s Teaching Greatness: Strategic Vision 2030. 

MacEwan University, in the heart of downtown Edmonton, is dedicated to providing undergraduate students with a transformative, academically rigorous, and personal learning experience in a creative, collaborative, and supportive learning environment. MacEwan continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of its students and the communities it serves, offers student-focused instruction, and inspires students through a powerful combination of academic excellence and personal learning opportunities.  

The Department of Biological Sciences is seeking a candidate whose research falls broadly within computational biology, including but not limited to bioinformatics, multi-omics analysis, computational ecology, mathematical and computational modelling of biological systems, or big data applications in the life sciences. Upon starting the academic appointment, the successful applicant will work with the University to apply for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. For further information relating to a Tier 2 Chair, please click here. In addition to establishing a research program, the successful candidate will contribute service to the institution and to undergraduate teaching within the Department of Biological Sciences. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in bioinformatics, computational biology, biological data analysis, or other areas aligned with the candidate's expertise. The successful applicant will have a reduced teaching load during the CRC appointment.

This position represents a strategic investment in computationally driven biological research and interdisciplinary scholarship at MacEwan University. The successful candidate will establish, with the support of MacEwan’s Office of Research Services, a new research institute and serve as its director. This interdisciplinary institute will bring together researchers from Departments across the institution, including Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physical Sciences, to tackle complex biological challenges through data-intensive and computational approaches. This institute will serve as a hub for computationally-enabled biological research across the University, and will develop partnerships with external organizations such as industry, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and research institutions. In alignment with MacEwan’s mandate as an undergraduate University, the institute will support undergraduate research experiences in computational and data-driven biology. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a strategic vision for the institute and build a collaborative research community that bridges traditional disciplinary boundaries, positioning MacEwan as a leader in interdisciplinary computational life science research.

As a successful applicant, you will have:

• a PhD in biological sciences, or a related field, with experience working with large-scale biological data sets;

• evidence of, or strong potential for, outstanding teaching ability and a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and mentorship;
• an active program of original and innovative academic research in computational biology, or a related field, and evidence of a productive research program with strong potential for external funding success; and,
• evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership, with strong communication and relationship-building skills.

CRC Eligibility Criteria

A Tier-2 CRC has a term of five years, which may be renewed once for a second five-year term. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Candidates must be ten years or less from their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of nomination. Applicants who are more than ten years beyond their first independent academic research-related appointment, and who have career breaks, 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.

How to Apply

You should submit a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of a Tier 2 CRC; a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, including how they align with the CRC focus and how they will engage undergraduate student researchers; and a teaching dossier (including your teaching philosophy and recent teaching evaluations). To apply, please visit the MacEwan University Opportunities Page, select the job opportunity, and click Apply Now. If you require assistance, please contact us at careers@macewan.ca.

This position is included under the Faculty Association collective agreement. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.

Accessibility Statement

We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities. Please contact humanresources@macewan.ca and we will support you to the best of our ability.