Canada Research Chair – University of Calgary

The Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is recruiting for a tenure track position in animal MRI.

Position Description

Applications are invited for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of ultra-high field (UHF) pre-clinical MRI, by the Department of Radiology, in partnership with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. The candidate will also be nominated for a prestigious Tier II Canada Research Chair. Preference will be given to applicants with experience studying the central nervous system but pre-clinical MRI experts with research experience outside the CNS will also be considered. 

Tier II Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars, so applicants must have a proven track record of excellence in pre-clinical MRI research. A PhD degree or equivalent is mandatory and additional postdoctoral training advantageous. Applicants should have  a track record of peer-reviewed funding (e.g. post graduate and/or post-doctoral scholarships) at the local and national level.  Evidence of successful teaching and supervision and/or mentorship of trainees at the undergraduate or graduate level is also considered an asset. 

The applicant will work in the Experimental Imaging Centre, which developed an international reputation using a 9.4T MRI. This system is being replaced with a new state-of-the art 11.7T MRI. The applicant’s research will help ensure that this 11.7T functions at the highest level and they will help oversee a core technical team who assist other Experimental Imaging Centre users to optimize and execute their pre-clinical MRI research studies. 

The candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized extramurally (Tri-Council) funded research program (for which 75% time will be protected) and to work collaboratively with other investigators to grow the pre-clinical MRI research program. A competitive year-round salary and an attractive start-up package will be provided. The selected candidate will also be nominated for a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Pre-Clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant and collaborative Image Science program in the Department of Radiology at the University of Calgary. The Image Science Division is home to 15 PhD faculty members and 5 imaging centers, including the Experimental Imaging Center, which houses the small animal MRI and MRI-guided pre-clinical focused ultrasound infrastructure. Other research dedicated MRI equipment includes three 3T human whole body scanners. The McCaig Institute’s Center for Mobility and Joint Health (MOJO) also houses extensive high resolution micro-CT, dual energy CT, peripheral MRI, and DXA.  These imaging facilities are part of the Cumming School of Medicine’s Centre for Advanced Technologies, which includes other complementary core facilities in microscopic imaging, genomics and informatics, flow cytometry, mass spectroscopy, as well as an extensive medical vivarium to support preclinical studies.  The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also has facilities that support large animals for preclinical studies. The candidate will become a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, a multidisciplinary group of over 300 faculty members spanning 16 academic departments and nine faculties at the University of Calgary. 

To qualify for a CRC Tier II position, candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years (since completion of PhD) at the time of nomination. Candidates who have had career interruptions, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., may have their time related eligibility (credited at twice the amount of time) for a Tier II Chair assessed through the program’s Tier II justification process. Research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., closures) are recognized as, and may be counted as, an eligible delay (credited at twice the amount of time) beginning March 1, 2020. Please contact UCalgary’s Office of Research Service for more information: ipd@ucalgary.ca. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada’s CRC website, including eligibility criteria.

The University of Calgary, through its Cumming School of Medicine, its health research institutes, and its academic departments seeks to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will contribute to creating the future of health. We are committed to fostering diversity through cultivating an environment where people with a variety of backgrounds, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported.

The University 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 consider, and be sensitive to, the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via University of Calgary Careers webpage using the “Apply Now’ link.  Please be aware that the application process allows for a maximum of four attachments. Your application attachments should be organized to contain the following (which may require you to merge documents): 
•    Cover letter and Curriculum vitae including the names and contact information for three referees
•    Statement of research interests and a description of a proposed 5-year research plan for the Chair (3 pages max)
•    Statement on trainee mentorship and education philosophy (1 page max)
•    Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in research (1 page max)

Questions about this position may be directed to:
Bruce Pike, PhD
Head of Image Science, Department of Radiology
bruce.pike@ucalgary.ca

The closing date for applications is September 15, 2023

Posting Date: July 10, 2023
Closing Date: September 15, 2023

Apply here: https://medicine.careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/13046674-canada-research-chair-tier-ii-in-pre-clinical-mri-department-of-radiology-cumming-school-of-medicine

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, 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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

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)

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.