Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader. Assistant Professor in Functional Genomics & Generative Biology for Plant Adaptation

Assistant Professor Position

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in an area broadly related to functional genomics and generative biology, with the focus on plant adaptation and the resilience of managed and natural ecosystems under a changing climate. This Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader position is associated with Dr. Charles Chen's Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair in Adaptive Genomics for Climate-Resilient Forestry and Agriculture in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta.

Salary and research support will be specified in the appointment offer. The successful candidate will establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, supervise students and other highly qualified personnel, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across the Faculty, the University, and with external partners. We seek an emerging scholar to lead an innovative, externally funded research program integrating functional genomics, biological synthesis and design, and experimental approaches to understand how adaptive biological functions emerge and interact across scales, and how they can be harnessed to enhance resilience in agricultural, forest, and natural-resource systems.

The successful candidate will hold an academic appointment in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, with an academic home in the Department of Renewable Resources.

Applicants must be internationally based (working and residing outside Canada) at the time the Emerging Leader position is accepted. An early career researcher, defined as being within five (5) years of the start date of their first research-related appointment (minus eligible leaves of absence, such as parental, medical, community, or bereavement leave) as of the posting date. Successful nominees will be appointed at the University of Alberta as Assistant tenure-track Professor. The award value is $100,000 per year over six years and is renewable up to six additional years at the same amount. Chairholders will be required to take up their appointment on a full-time basis and located at the University of Alberta.

The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that life circumstances (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, COVID-19 impacts, etc.) can have on a candidate's record of research achievement and that these circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Please consult the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and application requirements.

The Assistant Professor role is the starting point on the academic faculty member career pathway at the University of Alberta. Faculty members are full members of their department and participate actively in academic governance and collegial decision-making. The responsibilities of the role include teaching, research, and service:

• Teaching: Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the Department of Renewable Resources, including classroom instruction, student advising, and the supervision and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibilities will be determined in consultation with the Department Chair and according to the candidate's expertise and departmental needs. Relevant teaching areas may include plant science and genetics, molecular genetics and biotechnology, conservation biology, land reclamation, natural-resource management, forest management, quantitative methods, and related disciplines. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to inclusive and engaging learning environments and support the development of the next generation of researchers and natural-resource professionals.
• Research: Establish and sustain an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program in functional genomics/genetics, generative biology, and related areas, with an emphasis on plant adaptation and the resilience of managed and natural ecosystems. The successful candidate will conduct and disseminate high-quality research, develop interdisciplinary collaborations, and translate fundamental discoveries into applications relevant to forests, agriculture, and renewable resources. The position encourages collaboration with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair and the broader interdisciplinary research community at the University of Alberta.
• Service and Collaboration: Contribute to the intellectual and academic life of the Department, Faculty, and University through collegial service, academic governance, mentorship, and collaborative initiatives. The successful candidate is also encouraged to engage with external partners and stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, Indigenous communities and organizations, forestry and natural-resource professionals, conservation organizations, and tree improvement programs, and to support knowledge mobilization and the application of research findings beyond academia.

  Applicants whose research connects functional genomics, genetics, breeding, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and experimental approaches to understanding and directing biological function are particularly encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity for an emerging scholar to develop a distinctive research program at the intersection of fundamental biological discovery and innovative applications, advancing the resilience of forests and crops and supporting the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of natural resources.

  The successful candidate will:

  • Establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program in functional genomics, genetics, or generative biology.
  • Integrate experimental, computational, and genomic approaches to advance plant adaptation and resilience.
  • Publish high-quality research, secure external funding, and develop interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Teach undergraduate and graduate courses and contribute to curriculum development.
  • Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and research personnel.
  • Collaborate with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair and the broader University research community.
  • Engage external partners to translate research into practical applications.
  • Contribute to departmental, Faculty, and University service and foster an inclusive academic environment.

    Candidates must have a PhD and postdoc experience in genetics, genomics, plant regenerative biology, biotechnology, breeding, computational and systems biology, or another relevant biological, agricultural, or natural resource discipline. A PhD is a requirement of the Faculty of ALES and not of the Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program.

    Applicants should demonstrate expertise in one or more areas relevant functional genomics, generative biology, plant adaptation, or biological design, including but not limited to:

    • plant genetic improvement, breeding, quantitative and predictive genomics;
    • functional, and regulatory genomics;
    • molecular, cellular, developmental, or systems biology;
    • genome or epigenome engineering, synthetic biology, or approaches to biological design;
    • single-call, spatial, multi-omic, or other engineering approaches for resolving biological function across scales;
    • computational biology, artificial intelligence, or generative approaches for biological discovery and design;
    • genetic and biological mechanisms of adaptation, environmental stress, plant health, regeneration, or biotic interactions; or
    • other innovative approaches that connect fundamental biological discovery with genetic improvement, sustainable management, conservation, restoration of resilient forests, crops, and natural resources.

      We strongly encourage applications from scholars who bring new perspectives, approaches, technologies, and disciplinary expertise that can expand the application of genetics, genomics, and biological innovation to agriculture, forests and renewable resources. Candidates should demonstrate strong potential to establish an independent and innovative research program, publish high-quality research, secure external research funding, contribute to teaching and mentorship, and develop productive interdisciplinary collaborations.

      The following are considered an asset:

      1. Experience in functional genomics, genetics, plant breeding, synthetic biology, computational biology, or related fields.
      2. Experience with interdisciplinary research and large-scale, multi-year collaborative projects.
      3. Experience collaborating with industry, government, Indigenous communities, and other external research partners.
      4. Experience managing research teams, laboratories, facilities, equipment, and research safety.
      5. Teaching experience and training in instruction, curriculum design, and student mentorship.
      6. Experience in research, teaching, service, and community engagement, including initiatives supporting equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
      7. Experience securing external research funding, preparing grant applications, and managing research budgets.
      8. Experience translating research findings into practical applications for plant improvement, forest health, conservation, or ecosystem resilience.
      9. Experience with advanced genomic, computational, or AI-driven approaches to biological discovery and design.
      10. Experience building interdisciplinary partnerships and mentoring diverse research teams.

          To apply, please select the Apply Now icon below and submit the following in ONE PDF document:

          1. Cover letter
          2. Curriculum vitae, including your research, teaching, and service experience related to the role and responsibilities, as well as the qualifications above
          3. Research Plan (maximum 3 pages) that outlines main areas of current research and short and long-term research goals, and how you will build and retain a high-performing and diverse research team. Please include your plans for design of the research environment and the team, and for equitable opportunities for all members of the team to engage with the work being conducted and other opportunities that will advance their career goals, and up to 3 recent peer-reviewed research publications
          4. Teaching Dossier including
             1. Teaching philosophy (maximum 3 pages), including how you will contribute to our culture of providing exceptional educational experiences that focus on learner engagement and