Assistant Professor in Pregnancy / Perinatal Biomedical Research

Culture Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tenure-track opportunity

Job summary

The University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in pregnancy/perinatal physiology. The successful candidate will develop an independent research program, teach, and mentor across undergraduate and graduate levels while fostering collaboration within a premier perinatal science ecosystem.

Applicants should demonstrate strong publication records, potential for external funding, and a commitment to inclusive training and

Qualifications

• PhD in Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field.
• 3–5 years postdoctoral training in a relevant basic science lab.
• Strong publication record in reputable international journals with potential for external funding.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses and mentor diverse trainees.

Responsibilities

• Lead an independent discovery-based research program on perinatal, fetal, or pediatric health outcomes.
• Secure robust external funding from Tri-Council and other agencies.
• Collaborate across disciplines within the University’s perinatal network.
• Deliver excellence in teaching and mentorship for diverse students and trainees.
• Contribute to academic governance and service activities.

Skills

Teaching & mentoring

Collaboration

Peer‑reviewed publications

Education

PhD in Physiology or Biomedical Sciences

Job description

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry in partnership with the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) invites applications from outstanding early-career researchers for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the field of pregnancy/perinatal physiology.

We are seeking a visionary scientist whose research program investigates fundamental mechanisms of pregnancy, development, and early-life environments to improve pregnancy and perinatal, fetal, and children's health outcomes. This position is strategically intended to complement the world-class perinatal/pregnancy research ecosystem at the University of Alberta.

Pregnancy complications and adverse intrauterine environments affect up to one in four pregnancies worldwide, carrying lifelong health consequences for both the pregnant person and the child. The successful candidate will establish an independent, innovative research program utilizing advanced physiological models, cellular and molecular biology techniques, and/or translational in vivo systems to bridge the gap between pregnancy complications, early neonatal development and pediatric outcomes.

We welcome applicants exploring a broad spectrum of discovery science in pregnancy and perinatal physiology, including but not limited to:

• Pregnancy Complications: Understanding the mechanisms by which maternal physiological adaptations to pregnancy, placental development/function, and maternal cardiovascular–placental interactions contribute to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and alter the fetal environment and developmental trajectory.
• Fetal Programming & Development: How early-life and intrauterine disruptions modify fetal organogenesis, cellular differentiation, and later-life systemic health.
• Maternal-Fetal Signaling: Molecular cross-talk between maternal tissues, placental structures, and the developing fetus that governs healthy maturation.
• Translational Discovery: Identification of early biomarkers, mechanistical targets, or innovative therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing the impact of pregnancy complications on maternal and offspring health.

The successful candidate will be embedded within a premier health research environment at the University of Alberta:

• Synergistic Opportunities: Work collaboratively alongside leading scientists to bridge microenvironmental placental mechanisms with systemic fetal and neonatal outcomes.
• Infrastructure Access: Utilize cutting‑edge resources within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry’s Core Research Facilities and the specialized infrastructure supported by the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI).
• Supportive Launch: Receive a competitive institutional start‑up package, institutional mentorship, partial teaching release during the initial years, and access to domestic and international funding networks.

The Assistant Professor role is the starting point on the academic faculty member career pathway at the University of Alberta. The successful candidate will be expected to balance research, teaching, and service commitments, with specific expectations to:

• Lead an independent, discovery-based research program focused on the physiological mechanisms driving perinatal, fetal, or pediatric health outcomes.
• Secure robust external funding from Tri‑Council and other agencies to sustain a state-of-the-art laboratory environment.
• Collaborate across disciplines to build research bridges within the University’s perinatal network, complementing established strengths in maternal‑fetal interface and trophoblast biology.
• Deliver excellence in teaching and mentorship, fostering an inclusive, high‑performance training environment for diverse undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars.
• Contribute to academic governance and service activities within the Department, Faculty, Institute, and broader university community.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD in Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of high-impact postdoctoral training in a relevant basic science laboratory setting.
• An outstanding track record of peer‑reviewed publications in reputable international journals, alongside demonstrated potential to secure competitive external research funding.
• Demonstrated ability or high potential to teach undergraduate and graduate courses (such as fetal/developmental physiology) and successfully mentor diverse trainees.

The University of Alberta recognizes the impact that life circumstances (e.g., maternity/parental leave, illness, family care, or systemic delays) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.