Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Molecular Medicine

Job Summary

The Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology (CCB) at McMaster University invites applications to fill a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of molecular medicine. Scientists whose research interests focus on the molecular basis of disease and/or therapy are encouraged to apply. The successful application will be expected to mount a research program targeted toward the fundamental understanding of disease and/or the development of modern therapeutic methods. The research program should create a presence in any one of a number of critically important areas. These may include molecular research aimed at cell and organ-based disorders, molecular aspects of mental health, addiction, and aging, as well as molecular tools for gene editing, amongst others. The role of chemistry and chemical biology in understanding and treating health-related disorders is a clear area of growing importance, and CCB will provide a vibrant environment to foster a new research program in this area, with many opportunities for both internal and external collaborations.

Our aim is to recruit a candidate who will establish an internationally competitive research program and forge numerous research interactions and collaborations with colleagues across the University, including those within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The successful candidate will take advantage of numerous opportunities to attract research funding for personnel and infrastructure, including grant programs from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and disease-specific associations/foundations.

The research program of the selected candidate will be located in newly-renovated laboratory space, which was constructed in the spring. This space includes state-of-the-art open-concept laboratories designed for chemical biology/synthetic chemistry/biochemical engineering. The candidate will benefit from the surrounding suites of shared infrastructure (Confocal microscopes, Raman spectrometers, BSL-2 labs, etc.). In addition to having access to the equipment and facilities in this new space, the successful candidate will also have access to instrumentation in the CCB Core Facilities (Magnetic Resonance, Mass Spectrometry, and X-ray Diffraction), the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, the Biointerfaces Institute, the Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology (CMCB), and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC).

Applicants should clearly demonstrate potential to develop a prominent, externally funded research program and a commitment to excellence in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Candidates must have both a bachelor’s and doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical biology, or a closely related chemistry-based field, relevant postdoctoral experience, and a promising record of research scholarship and productivity. A complete application package must include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a one-page statement of teaching philosophy and detailed descriptions of three research projects that exemplify the proposed research program. In addition, applicants are asked to provide a one-page description of their commitment to and demonstrated experience of advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in post-secondary education, community-based or other professional settings. Applicants should also include a one-to-two page summary highlighting their top three publications and specifying the signficance and novelty of these contributions, as well as a list of the major instrumentation and equipment necessary to pursue the proposed research program. A minimum of three academic reference letters should be sent via e-mail directly from referees. Reference letters should include the candidate’s name in the file name (Last_First.pdf) and should be submitted as a PDF, on letterhead, and from an email address that is associated with the institution or organization of origin.

McMaster University has a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff that reflects the diversity of our student body. The successful candidate will be committed to inclusion and excellence and the Department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their teaching and/or service, to the diversity of the academic community. Women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons, members of racialized communities and LGBTQ-identified persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Gender diversity is being addressed at McMaster University through our policies and actions. Recent actions in this area include the completion of a gender pay equity study and a resultant base salary adjustment applied to all female faculty members, as well as a recent commitment by McMaster to the nation-wide Dimensions EDI charter.

Faculty members at McMaster University enjoy numerous personal and professional benefits. University employees are offered an excellent benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, extended health care benefits, dental care, group life, long term disability, worldwide travel assistance, and a retirement plan. Progressive policies are in place to assist faculty members who become parents or are needed to care for family members. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.