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

Competition 1403

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.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and at Alberta Diabetes Institute

The successful candidate of this competition will be assigned to one of the departments of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, one of the world's elite academic health sciences centres, where top students are taught by award-winning educators and mentored by renowned scientists in a dynamic learning environment. The Faculty has 20 departments, two stand-alone divisions, 7 research institutes, 15 research centres, and 10 research groups. We have state-of-the-art labs and teaching facilities, award-winning teachers, medical students who have scored near or at the top on national medical licensing exams, and alumni who are making a difference in the health of the world's peoples.

The Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) is one of 8 Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry institutes established to provide strategic leadership in research and innovation. Opened in 2007, it is one of the world’s most outstanding and comprehensive research facilities dedicated to conquering diabetes. The ADI has an overarching mission to support excellence in basic and clinical research in diabetes and is heavily invested in translational diabetes research. ADI houses numerous core resources that will support the successful applicant, including ready access to human islets from healthy and diseased donors provided by the ADI IsletCore which is a world leader in the processing and banking of human pancreas for research.

ADI is home to a diverse group of researchers, 12 of whom hold CRCs. These researchers from several Faculties include groups focused on islet biology; immunology and transplantation; exercise physiology; obesity, nutrition, and metabolism; population health and education; clinical trials and interventions; and public policy. Collectively, their research is supported by grants from leading funding agencies including Tricouncil, NIH, JDRF, Diabetes Canada and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Supported by philanthropy, including the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, ADI provides pilot grants and studentships to support diabetes research. ADI is also the administrative lead for the national Canada Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN) which supports collaborative interactions for PIs and trainees from among >50 labs performing islet-related research at 15 institutions across Canada.

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.

Duties and Expectations:

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.

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.

Anticipated start date

Upon mutual agreement with the successful applicant.

To Apply:

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 the following group: women and gender minorities. Additionally, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered.

All applicants to this job posting are required to self-identify. Applicants will receive a questionnaire link from equity@ualberta.ca within 2-3 weeks of submitting their job applications. The survey will be sent to the email address that is listed on the application. Please be sure to check your spam box for receipt of this email. Please do not forward the link as it is unique to the email address. For any questions or concerns, please contact equity@ualberta.ca.

NB: The University of Alberta must collect self-identification data from all applicants as part of its participation in the CRC Program. This data is used to ensure that the institution is progressing towards meeting its EDI targets as set by Ottawa.

Please submit the following as separate documents by clicking the "Apply Online" button below:

1. Cover letter
2. Current and comprehensive CV
3. Complete list of Publications
4. Description of your recent, current and anticipated research activities for the next five years (two pages)
   1. Please submit under "Research Plan"
5. A statement of teaching interests (500 words)
   1. Please submit under "Interests"
6. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Philosophy (500 words)
7. References

Questions about this competition should be sent electronically to vdradmin@ualberta.ca.

Applicants who require an accessibility arrangement for their application, interview, and/or subsequent recruitment meetings can contact canderson@ualberta.ca to arrange appropriate accommodations.

Posting date: September 4, 2024

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. To support its commitments in this area, applications are encouraged from women and gender minorities who also identify as: First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. 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 (https://www.ualberta.ca/en/research-services-office/media-library/funding-crc/public-accountability/2018/ualberta-edi-progress_report-181215-withheld.pdf)