Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Cellular Agriculture

Competition 2150

This competition is restricted to faculty members holding tenure-track academic positions in the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences of the University of Alberta.

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.

Job Description

We invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cellular Agriculture.

Position Description

Cellular Agriculture is an exciting, emerging field in agriculture and food science, with an emphasis on tissue engineering, cell culture, precision fermentation, and bioprocessing technologies. The candidate’s area of research is expected to focus on fundamental and applied aspects of cellular agriculture for cultivated meat production, including scaffold-based and scaffold-free tissue engineering approaches, cost-effective edible scaffold development, and bioprocess optimization. The candidate is expected to grow a strong and collaborative research program within the Food Science and Bioresource Technology Division in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Science within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. Previous industry experience in cultivated meat production is required, demonstrating familiarity with scaling up cell culture systems and food regulatory considerations, with the candidate expected to work effectively with new industries focused on cellular agriculture both in Alberta and across Canada.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology, Agriculture and Biological Engineering, or a closely related discipline. The candidate will be expected to teach at all levels of the Nutrition and Food Science curriculum, from undergraduate to graduate level courses, contribute to curriculum development and academic program planning, and to take on graduate supervision and other supervisory, service and administrative work. We are seeking an individual with an exemplary and proven record of emerging research accomplishments, a sound understanding of cell/tissue culture, media and scaffold development, bioprocessing, and risk assessment, and the ability to develop a vibrant and growing research program as someone who is acknowledged by peers as a potential leader in their discipline. The candidate will be well-versed in the emerging global cellular agriculture research ecosystem, and will have the vision and talent essential to lead a novel, complementary and collaborative research program that transcends institutional, disciplinary, and international boundaries. Demonstrated success in grant applications will be an asset.

Tier 2 CRC Eligibility

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have been active researchers in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination. Candidates beyond this timeframe but have experienced career interruptions, such as parental or extended sick leave, may have their eligibility assessed through the Tier 2 Justification Process. All candidates must meet the CRC eligibility criteria, and applicants are encouraged to consult the CRC Coordinator, Glen Thomas (crcadmin@ualberta.ca), for further details. Comprehensive program information, including specific eligibility requirements, can be found on the CRC website: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.

The successful applicant will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. Nominations are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a Canada Research Chair is conditional upon their approval.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Other individuals will be considered if suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found.

Your application should include the following in one .PDF document:

• cover letter (max two pages) outlining how their research aligns with the position description
• curriculum vitae
• research statement (max three pages) detailing past research achievements and the proposed CRC Tier 2 program of research.
• one-page teaching philosophy statement describing their teaching experience and approach,
• contact information for three academic references (letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interviews),
• two-page statement on how they plan to incorporate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) principles into their teaching, research, and service.

All applicants to this job posting are required to self-identify. You will be able to view and answer the survey by clicking the "Apply" button. For any questions or concerns, please contact equity@ualberta.ca.

Candidates should submit to the online portal by clicking the “Apply Online” button below by April 30, 2025.

Applications will be reviewed on or shortly after April 30, 2025. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. The application or questions about this competition should be sent electronically to the Chair of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Dr. Spencer Proctor, at proctor@ualberta.ca.

The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that life circumstances such as disability, leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness), and other family and community responsibilities can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These life circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

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

Posted: March 26, 2025