Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Translational Crop Genomics in Sustainable Agriculture

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The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in the area of Translational Crop Genomics in Sustainable Agriculture. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Associate or Full Professor and will be nominated for a Tier I Canada Research Chair. The candidate’s research program is expected to use genomic approaches to map the basis of complex traits in species of importance for agriculture in Alberta and contribute to applications in crop improvement. The anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2026.

Research area
New crop varieties are required to maintain agricultural sustainability and global food security in response to climate change and a reduction in fertile land and water resources. The proposed Tier I CRC will leverage the power of crop genomics and genome-assisted breeding strategies to contribute to the sustainability of agricultural production in Alberta. Research should include a focus on traits that include climate-resilience, yield, disease resistance, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, or other traits of agronomic or nutritional importance. The ideal candidate will work in the areas of crop genomics that include sequencing and assembling of relevant crop genomes, pan-genome data analysis and molecular breeding strategies such as gene editing, tilling, GWAS scanning or QTL mapping. The research program should integrate with the local agricultural context in Alberta and focus on oilseeds, cereals, forage, pulse crops, or close relatives to these crop species. The CRC candidate is expected to work closely with government agricultural agencies (e.g. Results Driven Agriculture Research, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Canola Council and Alberta Wheat Commission) and agritech companies (e.g. Nutrien, Corteva, Bayer, BASF and Syngenta) to develop and bring the next generation of robust and productive crop varieties to market.

Eligibility criteria
CRC Tier I Chairs are intended for exceptional scholars with outstanding leadership ability and an already established research program. Candidates for this position must hold a PhD in Plant Biology, Agronomy, or a related field, with a proven record of research using genomic approaches in plants that demonstrates excellence commensurate with their career stage. Interdisciplinarity is essential to success in this role. The CRC is expected to develop a world-class research program supported by federal and provincial funding agencies such as NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), Alberta Innovates, Genome Canada, and private industry. The successful candidate should have a track record of scientific publications and/or other outputs (popular press, interviews, public or online seminars, scientific social media, clinical trials, online database development, software development, etc.). Prior experience in obtaining grants from external research funding programs (including peer-reviewed fellowship programs), and evidence of effective student mentoring are highly valued qualifications. The successful candidate should have prior experience in being part of and leading large group grants.

Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website, including eligibility criteria: www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca and
www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx.

Appointments at the rank of Associate Professor require evidence of an established academic program and recognition as an internationally respected scholar, demonstrated through a record of high-quality research and scholarly activities appropriate to the discipline, as well as evidence of teaching effectiveness and a substantive record of service.

Appointment at the rank of Professor is reserved for individuals whose academic achievements are recognized nationally and internationally as outstanding within their community, discipline, or field, and who have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in research and scholarship, teaching, and service.

About the University of Calgary
The CRC will build upon existing strengths in plant and crop research in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Calgary, as well as play an important role in the development of a new undergraduate agricultural science program in alignment with provincial priorities to strengthen the agricultural sector. Active research programs in the Biological Sciences Department include crop biotechnology to develop increased yield, climate resilience and nutrition in canola, peas and wheat, susceptibility/resistance to crop pathogens and pests, pharmaceuticals for biosynthesis of narcotics, phytocannaboids and psilocybins, phytoremediation of organic pollutants, comparative genomics of climate adaptation, and ecosystems services for agricultural sustainability.

A new state-of-the-art greenhouse with an automated high-throughput precision phenotyping facility is being developed in the next few years as part of the Science District and the Multi-Disciplinary Science Hub. This facility will be unique to Canada and provide the equipment and an outstanding research neighbourhood to perform cutting-edge research in high-throughput crop genomics. This facility will consist of a high-throughput phenotyping gantry system equipped with multispectral and hyperspectral imaging sensors to systematically track growth and development of 300-500 plants simultaneously exposed to a variety of stress conditions. This facility will dramatically enhance the phenomics capabilities required for genomics prediction tools and AI-associated machine learning to rapidly identify new regions or target genes for accelerated molecular breeding.

The CRC will be able to leverage two major University of Calgary initiatives promoting innovative solutions in agricultural research: the Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy in the School of Public Policy, which focuses on policymaking on agriculture in Canada, to realize a more sustainable agricultural industry; and the Centre for Precision Agriculture and Sustainability (CPAS), a network that promotes innovative solutions and sustainable agriculture through collaborative efforts between researchers, communities, and industry leaders. The CRC will also have access to isolated plots for potential field trials of elite crop lines at the W.A Ranches facility at the University of Calgary whose mandate is to conduct applied research aimed at improving cattle welfare, health and management to achieve sustainable/regenerative agriculture.

The University of Calgary’s ‘Ahead of Tomorrow’ strategic plan outlines our commitment to harness the power of research and innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges. Transdisciplinary collaboration, community integration, and future-focused research into global priority issues are critical to achieving this goal. The CRC will participate, and take a leadership role when appropriate, in a variety of transdisciplinary research initiatives across campus in areas such as One Health, molecular diagnostics, and child health. The One Health at UCalgary research theme (https://research.ucalgary.ca/one-health) aims to systemically understand health issues on multiple scales spanning environments, communities, and individuals.

The University of Calgary is a young and ambitious comprehensive research institution. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is recognized as one of Canada’s top research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The student body includes 30,000 undergraduate and 7,700 graduate students enrolled across 100 different undergraduate, graduate or professional degree programs. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Calgary has consistently been named as one of the world’s most livable cities. It 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 in 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.

For more information and to apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/16687644-canada-research-chair-tier-i-in-translational-crop-genomics-in-sustainable-agriculture

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via the UCalgary Careers site. Please note that the application process allows for only four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following:
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information of three referees
• Statement of research interests (1-3 pages)
• Statement of large initiatives/grants participated in and led (1 page)
• Statement of mentorship and teaching philosophy and experience (1-2 pages).
• Statement describing prior contributions and/or philosophy in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). This should include a description of your ability to work within a culturally diverse and international student, staff, and faculty body (up to 1 page)

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 the impact of career interruptions when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Questions may be addressed to:
David Hansen,
Head, Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]

Applications will be accepted until November 9, 2025.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science, click here.

About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for 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.

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