Assistant Professor - Functional Genomics

Date Posted: 10/09/2024
Closing Date: 01/16/2025, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 39780
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Department: Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (Donnelly Centre), in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in the area of functional genomics. The appointment is at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2025.

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the time of appointment, with an exceptional track record in the field of functional genomics. Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to: high throughput cell biology (genome scale genetic screens in mammalian cells, organoids, and/or model organisms, regulatory genomics), enabling technologies (gene editing, imaging of cellular processes, single-cell biology, chemical biology, protein engineering), application of functional genomic approaches to study human diseases and to identify drug targets, and development and application of computational biology and artificial intelligence approaches to functional genomics. The candidate must also have a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching, including student mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The candidate will receive institutional support to establish a research program that leverages and innovates novel functional genomic approaches, and that will benefit from being embedded in an interactive community of experimental and computational biologists. Preference will be given to candidates with postdoctoral training in a relevant field (genetics, functional genomics, systems biology, or quantitative biology).

We seek a colleague whose research and teaching interests complement and strengthen our existing scientific community, which encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative technology development. The successful candidate is expected to pursue innovative research in functional genomics at the highest international level and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence that can be demonstrated by the submitted research statement, record of publications in leading journals or forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, invited scientific presentations, awards and accolades, and strong letters of references with endorsements from referees of high standing.

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching. To this end, candidates must provide: i) a one-page statement of teaching philosophy and interests, which should refer to previous teaching-related activities such as experience as a teaching assistant or course instructor, leading workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or awards for oral presentations and posters at conferences; and ii) strong letters of reference. Reference letters should indicate the candidate’s suitability for undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentorship.

The candidate will actively participate in the research and teaching ecosystems of the Donnelly Centre and the Department of Molecular Genetics, where the successful candidate will have a graduate appointment.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

State-of-the-art research space will be provided in the Donnelly Centre, which is in the heart of downtown Toronto, one of the safest and diverse metropolitan areas in the world. The Donnelly Centre is an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Toronto with the mandate to create a research environment that encourages integration of functional genomics, computer science, engineering, and biology, and that spans leading areas of biomedical research (https://thedonnellycentre.utoronto.ca). The Department of Molecular Genetics (https://moleculargenetics.utoronto.ca/) holds a leadership position in Canada and internationally as a premier venue for biomedical and life sciences research and education. Toronto is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, one of the most desirable in the world in which to work and live, and a major centre for advanced computer, medical, and biological technologies. The University of Toronto has one of the most concentrated biomedical research communities in the world, including 10 academic hospitals/research institutes that are all fully affiliated with the University. This community attracts more than $1.37B in annual research investment.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit 1) a cover letter; 2) a one-page summary that includes education/training history, and a 350-word abstract of their research plan; 3) a current curriculum vitae that includes information regarding their most significant scientific contributions (up to five) as they relate to the application; 4) a statement of current and long-term research interests (three pages, not including references); and 5) a statement of teaching philosophy and interests as outlined above (one page). Each section should start on a new page and include a header with the candidate’s name and the section title.

In addition, applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee the day after an application is submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that references submit letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. More details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ.

Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact donnelly.facultysearch@utoronto.ca.

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by January 16, 2025.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.