Assistant Professor in Pregnancy / Perinatal Biomedical Research

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry in partnership with the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) invites applications from outstanding early-career researchers for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field of pregnancy/perinatal physiology. 

We are seeking a visionary scientist whose research program investigates fundamental mechanisms of pregnancy, development, and early-life environments to improve pregnancy and perinatal, fetal, and children's health outcomes. This position is strategically intended to complement the world-class perinatal/pregnancy research ecosystem at the University of Alberta.

Pregnancy complications and adverse intrauterine environments affect up to one in four pregnancies worldwide, carrying lifelong health consequences for both the pregnant person and the child. The successful candidate will establish an independent, innovative research program utilizing advanced physiological models, cellular and molecular biology techniques, and/or translational in vivo systems to bridge the gap between pregnancy complications, early neonatal development and pediatric outcomes. 

We welcome applicants exploring a broad spectrum of discovery science in pregnancy and perinatal physiology, including but not limited to: 

• Pregnancy Complications: Understanding the mechanisms by which maternal physiological adaptations to pregnancy, placental development/function, and maternal cardiovascular–placental interactions contribute to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and alter the fetal environment and developmental trajectory. 
• Fetal Programming & Development: How early-life and intrauterine disruptions modify fetal organogenesis, cellular differentiation, and later-life systemic health. 
• Maternal-Fetal Signaling: Molecular cross-talk between maternal tissues, placental structures, and the developing fetus that governs healthy maturation.
• Translational Discovery: Identification of early biomarkers, mechanistical targets, or innovative therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing the impact of pregnancy complications on maternal and offspring health. 

The successful candidate will be embedded within a premier health research environment at the University of Alberta: 

• Synergistic Opportunities: Work collaboratively alongside leading scientists to bridge microenvironmental placental mechanisms with systemic fetal and neonatal outcomes. 
• Infrastructure Access: Utilize cutting-edge resources within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry’s Core Research Facilities and the specialized infrastructure supported by the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI). 
• Supportive Launch: Receive a competitive institutional start-up package, institutional mentorship, partial teaching release during the initial years, and access to domestic and international funding networks.