Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics & Immune Engineering, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine

The University of Calgary is located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The city of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation within Alberta (Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).Qualifications include a Ph.D., or equivalent degree, with at least three years of relevant post-doctoral experience. The preferred candidate will show a track record in the field of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics & Immune Engineering. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven record of research excellence, for example as defined by external awards, publications in the relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature and letters of reference. The ability to lead an independent research program and to demonstrate the likelihood of securing independent funding (e.g., peer-reviewed national grants) is essential to this hire. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in formal, in-class, teaching (undergraduate/graduate) activities and relevant teaching experience is a requirement. Graduate student supervision is an expectation of the position and suitable experience is necessary.

Tier II Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Candidates who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and who have had career breaks, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., may have their eligibility for a Tier II Chair assessed through the program’s Tier II justification process.  Research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., closures) are recognized as, and may be counted as, an eligible delay (credited at twice the amount of time) beginning March 1, 2020. Please contact UCalgary’s Office of Research Services for more information: ipd@ucalgary.ca. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website, including eligibility criteria.

The successful candidate will occupy laboratory space within the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases in the Cumming School of Medicine. The successful candidate will show the ability to collaborate with other members of the Inflammation Research Network, Gastrointestinal Research Group, the Immunology Research Group and/or Lung Health Research Group (LHRG), as well as with, as appropriate, biologists, immunologists and clinical researchers within other research groups in the Snyder Institute and/or Cumming School of Medicine. Alignment with the research directions and strategic plans of the Snyder Institute and CSM are considered essential and the research programs of the successful applicant will be in the area of chronic inflammatory disease or infectious diseases. Please visit our websites at https://www.ucalgary.ca/pp, https://www.snyder.ucalgary.ca and https://cumming.ucalgary.ca for more information.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop a vigorous and independent, externally funded research program within a dynamic, collaborative and multidisciplinary environment. The position provides 75% of time protected for research and will include expectations to contribute to teaching (undergraduate and/or graduate) and trainee supervision. A competitive salary and an attractive start-up package are available. The successful candidate will be expected to apply for extramural support from national/provincial agencies to sustain their research program.UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary. 

The University of Calgary adheres to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and strives to evaluate research impact responsibly and inclusively by explicitly considering discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for many years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate's research productivity.

Application deadline: January 25, 2026

The Department of Physiology & Pharmacology (https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/departments/physiology-pharmacology/), in partnership with the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases (the Snyder Institute; https://snyder.ucalgary.ca/), at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, invite applications for a tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics & Immune Engineering.

The selected candidate will be nominated for a National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics & Immune Engineering. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx) including eligibility criteria. A competitive salary and an attractive start-up package will be available through the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the Snyder Institute.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online using the ‘Apply Now’ link found on the University of Calgary Careers webpage https://careers.ucalgary.ca/.

Please be aware that the application process allows for a maximum of four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following (you are encouraged to merge documents to reduce the number of attachments):

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research interest statement (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Leadership statement including equity, diversity and inclusion considerations (not to exceed 2 pages)
• The names and contact information for three (3) referees. Reference letters will not be required unless the applicant is short-listed for a visit/interview.

View full posting and apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/17161733-tier-ii-canada-research-chair-crc-in-nucleic-acid-therapeutics-and-immune-engineering-department-of-physiology-and-pharmacology-cumming-school-of-medicine

Questions about this position may be directed to:

Dr. Robert Newton

Head, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology

c/o Neil Chander (neil.chander@ucalgary.ca)