Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) and Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Isle

at  University of Alberta

Department Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Alberta Diabetes Research Institute
Posted date September 4, 2024
Closing date Will remain open until filled.
Position Type Full Time

DESCRIPTION

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) at the University of Alberta are seeking an exceptional emerging researcher with expertise in islet biology and the pathogenesis of diabetes. The successful applicant will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and will develop an innovative research program aligned with, but operating independently of, the recently appointed Canada Excellence Research Chair in the Islet Microenvironment with the goal of further extending the research strengths within the Alberta Diabetes Institute.
This position is eligible for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC), a program which supports individuals with evidence or promise of an innovative and independent research program. The successful candidate will be expected to lead an innovative and productive research program in islet biology and diabetes pathogenesis that is supported by peer reviewed funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research or other such prominent organizations (or has the potential for such support in the near future).
The University of Alberta is committed to working for equity, diversity, inclusion, and access and to deepening and living out commitments to Indigenization and decolonization. The University of Alberta thus strives to remove barriers that some people in Canadian society and in postsecondary environments continue to experience and to build an accessible, equitable, and inclusive culture in support of the full participation of its diverse workforce. The CRC Program has identified four designated groups (FDGs): women and gender minorities; Indigenous Peoples; members of racialized minorities; and persons with disabilities. To support its commitments, the University of Alberta welcomes applications from all qualified persons who self-identify as a member of one of the following group: women and gender minorities. Additional information about the specific actions set out by the University of Alberta for the CRC program can be found in the University of Alberta CRC EDI Action Plan.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) at the University of Alberta are inviting applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position from individuals with evidence or promise of an innovative and independent research program in islet biology and diabetes pathogenesis. The successful applicant will develop a research program aligned with, but operating independently of, the recently appointed Canada Excellence Research Chair in the Islet Microenvironment with the goal of further extending the strengths within the ADI.

CRC REQUIREMENTS:

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging researchers (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, 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. Please consult the University of Alberta CRC Coordinator, Glen Thomas (crcadmin@ualberta.ca) for more information. Full program information, including details on eligibility criteria and acceptable leaves, can be found on the Canada Research Chairs website: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.
The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
The successful applicant will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. Nominations are reviewed by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a Canada Research Chair is conditional upon their approval.

POSITION ELIGIBILITY

We are seeking applications from individuals with:

• A PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent in Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Physiology or a related field with publications demonstrating expertise in islet biology.
• Relevant postdoctoral experience in working with human islets as they relate to studying or treating diabetes.
• A plan to develop an independent academic research program related to diabetes pathogenesis using human islets and/or stem-cell based approaches.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an exceptional emerging health researcher who is, or has the potential to be, a national/international expert in their field.
• Expected to lead an innovative and productive research program that is supported by peer reviewed funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research or other such prominent organizations (or has the potential for such support in the near future).
• Hold a PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent in health research.
• Have relevant post-doctoral experience studying topics that may include but are not limited to:
• Biology of islet hormone secretion
• Investigation of islet endocrine cell dysfunction in the pathogenesis of diabetes
• Use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in modeling diabetes pathogenesis
• Experience with use of human islets.

We are especially interested in candidates applying a combination of cutting-edge approaches to islet biology and the generation/analysis of large datasets, and individuals keen to build capacity for bioinformatics at ADI.
While the main focus of this position is research, this individual will be an active member in undergraduate and graduate teaching programs and an academic member of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. They will be integrated into the strong research hub of multiple research laboratories in the area of islet biology within ADI.