https://careers.uoguelph.ca/job/Guelph-Assistant-Professor-in-Virology-ON-N1G-2W1/729533547/

Assistant Professor in Virology

Location:  University of Guelph

Guelph, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page:  Faculty, Librarian and Veterinarian

Division:  College of Biological Science

Requisition ID:  1294

 

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor in Virology
Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology

 

Position Description:

 

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of Virology.  The anticipated start date for this appointment is July 1, 2025, or another mutually agreed-upon date in 2025.

 

This position is part of a strategic cluster hire in infection, immunity, and therapeutic innovation, which includes recent and upcoming recruitment of immunology, biochemistry, and teaching-focused faculty. These hires support the Department’s newly expanded undergraduate Microbiology and Immunology major and the development of course-based Master’s programs in Immunology, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Design.

 

We seek outstanding candidates whose research interests align with and complement the department’s strengths. Applicants in all areas of virology will be considered, including, but not limited to, the basic mechanisms of DNA or RNA virus replication, genome expression, virus-host interactions, viral modulation of immune responses, and viral pathogenesis. Other areas of interest include viral entry and assembly studies, the role of viral proteins and non-coding regulatory RNAs in manipulating viral and host cell processes and pathways, and the structural biology of virus-host interactions. Candidates investigating antiviral drug development, viral vector technologies for gene therapy, oncolytics or vaccine applications, or leveraging advanced methodologies such as high-throughput screening, imaging, animal models of infection, or computational approaches to address complex questions in virology are also encouraged to apply.

 

The successful candidate is expected to develop an innovative and sustainable research program that enhances our understanding of viral infection and infectious diseases in humans, targets modes of disease intervention and creates new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

 

Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in virology or a related field.
• A preferred minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience.
• A proven record of research excellence, as evidenced by high-quality publications.
• Demonstrated potential to establish a competitive, externally funded research program.
• A commitment to effective and innovative teaching in virology to diverse undergraduate and graduate student populations.

 

Research and Teaching Environment:

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and research-intensive department with over 40 faculty members who study a wide range of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. The Department has research strengths in Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Neuroscience, as well as the Biological Science, Biomedical Science, and Plant Science programs.

 

Faculty within the College of Biological Science have access to cutting-edge facilities for mass spectrometry, electron and confocal microscopy, genomics, and NMR spectroscopy. The successful candidate will also benefit from shared virology and cellular biology equipment and CL2 facilities, fostering an exceptional environment for groundbreaking research.

 

As part of the University of Guelph, successful candidates will join a robust research community that includes prominent immunological and virological research programs in neighbouring campus departments, fostering an exceptional environment for groundbreaking collaborative research in these areas.

 

The new hire will be pivotal in supporting the redesigned Microbiology and Immunology major and developing course-based MSc programs in Immunology and Therapeutic Design.

 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

The University of Guelph is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion as an institutional imperative. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through their teaching, research, and mentorship activities.

 

The Department is a collegial, inclusive, and welcoming environment that values diversity and wellness as critical components of its success. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from groups traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversifying our institution.

 

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

 

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

 

Application Process

 

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

 

Assessment of applications will begin on May 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #1294) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file): 

 

1. Cover letter (1 page): 

• Describe your background, credentials and interest in the position.

2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Proposed research program (4 pages max):

• Detail your specific area of expertise and contributions to the field.
• Present a vision for your short- and long-term research goals.
• Provide a detailed plan for your independent research program and strategies to secure external funding.
• Explain how your research program will synergize with the Department’s strengths.

4. Teaching statement (2 pages max):

• Outline your teaching philosophy and experiences.
• Describe potential contributions to the Department’s teaching programs.

5. Diversity statement (1 page max):

• Highlight your history of advocacy for EDI and strategies to foster inclusivity in teaching, research, and mentorship.

6. Contact information for three references.

 

Applications should be addressed to:

Dr. Cezar Khursigara

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

College of Biological Science

University of Guelph

Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

 

Date Posted: 03/28/2025
Deadline: 04/27/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

 

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA). 

 

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.” 

 

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. 

 

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position. 

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca. 

 

Two postdoctoral researcher positions are available at the Laboratory of Medicinal Biophysics to study Host-viral interactions and Glycoproteomics. For recent publications and information on the lab's research activities, visit https://trpatel.com.

Motivated recent PhD graduates with a strong background in biochemistry, biophysics, virology, mass spectrometry, glycomics, and honey bee virus-glycan interactions are encouraged to apply. It is expected that the candidate will have proven their research accomplishments by peer-reviewed publications.

 

Lab Infrastructure:

  Protein production core (using bacterial, insect, and animal cell culture systems)

  Four chromatography units for the purification of biomolecules and their complexes

  HPLC-MALS-DLS for biomolecular characterization

  Tycho-NanoTemper to study protein stability

  Microscale Thermophoresis and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry to investigate biomolecular interactions

We have access to the Central Analytical Core Facility and SynBridge synthetic biology lab and have established a computational core for structural and molecular dynamics studies. Also, we have access to mass spectrometry expertise in collaboration with Drs Mahal and Abbott, as well as honey bees and honey bees infecting pathogens from Dr. Hoover.

 

We are located in the state-of-the-art Science and Academic Building at the University of Lethbridge. Lethbridge is located in southern Alberta (Canada), not far from the Rocky Mountains. The City enjoys a sunny, dry climate that is surprisingly mild and has excellent cultural and recreational amenities. The University is located on the west side of Lethbridge and stretches across the coulees, with a great view of the Oldman River valley.

 

Interested candidates should email a CV including the names of at least three referees, a motivation letter, and links to publications to trushar.patel@uleth.ca by May 5, 2025.

The Strauss Lab at McGill University is looking to recruit a PhD student to work on structural virology of small RNA viruses. We are working to explore the mechanisms of action of neutralizing antibodies, examine the molecular mechanisms of infection, and characterize novel vaccine candidates. Using cryo-electron microscopy, live-cell imaging, and diverse biophysical approaches, we engage in molecular virological studies to understand viral uncoating and assembly.

Situated in the beautiful city of Montreal, McGill University offers a rich research environment and infrastructure for graduate students. The highly collaborative and engaging Center for Structural Biology (CRBS), of which the Strauss Lab is a founding member, offers a robust exposure to diverse biophysical and experimental training opportunities. The position is funded by a CIHR grant with an expected start date of September 2025. Successful candidates will have relevant experience in virology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Candidates will gain experience in powerful biophysical methods, such as electron tomography, single particle analysis, and correlative imaging in addition to more routine cell biological techniques (protein expression and purification, qPCR, ELISA, western blotting).

For more information, please contact Dr. Mike Strauss. Applications, including a CV and transcripts, can be sent by email to Dr. Strauss: mike.strauss@mcgill.ca