\"Canada Emerging Leaders\" Faculty Position in Computational Design and Engineering of Proteins

Laval University; Quebec; On-site; CAD 96,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Université Laval invites applications for a tenure-track position in protein design and engineering within the Emerging Leaders Impact+ Canada program. The role focuses on building an ambitious, computationally driven research program and leveraging collaborations with the Eddie Goldenberg Canada Research Chair in Optical Protein Engineering and Biophotonics, PROTEO, IID, and CERVO.

We seek a candidate with a Ph.D., 2–5 years postdoc/assistant professor experience, and a track record of

Qualifications

• Hold a Ph.D. relevant to the research field covered by this position and preferably have between two and five years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher or assistant professor (or equivalent).
• Be residing and working outside Canada as of July 1, 2026, in accordance with the eligibility criteria of the Impact+ Canada Emerging Leader Program.
• Be prepared to begin working full-time in the fall of 2027.
• Have demonstrated emerging global excellence in research through high-quality publications.
• Demonstrate strong potential to develop and lead an independent, original, and high-level research program funded by external sources.
• Demonstrate an interest in recruiting and mentoring graduate students.
• Demonstrate aptitude or potential for university-level teaching at all three levels, for supervising graduate students, and an interest in pedagogical innovation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental principles guiding research, teaching, mentoring, and service activities.
• Demonstrate potential or a commitment to community service.
• Be proficient in French, both orally and in writing (or commit to acquiring this proficiency within the timeframes specified in the collective bargaining agreement).
• Demonstrate that one’s professional potential aligns with the key competencies required for the teaching position: Analytical skills, ability to synthesize, and sound judgment.; Creativity and innovation.; Communication skills.; Interpersonal skills and open-mindedness.; Ability to work in a team and with partners.; Independence and a sense of responsibility.; Strong ethical standards and sense of duty.; Supervising and mentoring of people.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement an ambitious research program in protein design and engineering using computational approaches (machine learning, AI, molecular dynamics, evolutionary algorithms, etc.).
• Lead and collaborate with Université Laval research teams and networks to attract global excellence and funding.
• Develop collaborations with IID, CERVO, and other campus groups to advance technologies at the intersection of protein engineering, biotech, biosensing, biophotonics, and precision medicine.

Skills

French proficiency

Analytical skills

Creativity and innovation

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Independence

Strong ethical standards

Supervising and mentoring

Education

Ph.D. relevant to the field

Job description

The Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Bioinformatics at Université Laval is accepting applications for a tenure-track position as part of the “Emerging Leaders Impact+ Canada” program. This prestigious program, funded by the Canadian government, provides an annual grant of $100,000 for a period of six years to fund the research programs of successful candidates (with the possibility of an extension for an additional six years). The program aims to recruit early-career researchers based abroad and to support the creation of independent, internationally competitive research programs. These initiatives will help strengthen the Eddie Goldenberg Canada Research Chair in Optical Protein Engineering and Biophotonics, which will begin in July 2027.

The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for designing and implementing an ambitious research program in protein design and engineering. This program will draw on computational approaches such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, molecular dynamics, evolutionary algorithms, molecular modeling, structural bioinformatics, and related methods. The goal of this program is to attract candidates whose research advances innovative computational methods for protein design, prediction, optimization, and engineering, as well as those who apply these approaches to address major challenges in the fields of health, biotechnology, and the life sciences. Research may cover the entire design-build-test-learn process or focus primarily on computational innovation, while taking advantage of the many opportunities for experimentation through collaborations within Université Laval and its research ecosystem.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to forge close ties with cutting‑edge research teams. These include the Eddie Goldenberg Canada Research Chair in Optical Protein Engineering and Biophotonics, as well as the PROTEO research network, which ranks among Canada’s leading networks in the fields of protein sciences and biotechnology.

The candidate will work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment, including the Intelligence and Data Institute (IID) and the CERVO Research Center, creating unique opportunities to develop transformative technologies at the intersection of protein engineering, biotechnology, biosensing, biophotonics, and precision medicine.

Selection Criteria

• Hold a Ph.D. relevant to the research field covered by this position and preferably have between two and five years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher or assistant professor (or equivalent).
• Be residing and working outside Canada as of July 1, 2026, in accordance with the eligibility criteria of the Impact+ Canada Emerging Leader Program.
• Be prepared to begin working full-time in the fall of 2027.
• Have demonstrated emerging global excellence in research through high-quality publications.
• Demonstrate strong potential to develop and lead an independent, original, and high-level research program funded by external sources.
• Demonstrate an interest in recruiting and mentoring graduate students.
• Demonstrate aptitude or potential for university-level teaching at all three levels, for supervising graduate students, and an interest in pedagogical innovation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental principles guiding research, teaching, mentoring, and service activities.
• Demonstrate potential or a commitment to community service.
• Be proficient in French, both orally and in writing (or commit to acquiring this proficiency within the timeframes specified in the collective bargaining agreement).
• Demonstrate that one’s professional potential aligns with the key competencies required for the teaching position:
  • Analytical skills, ability to synthesize, and sound judgment.
  • Creativity and innovation.
  • Communication skills.
  • Interpersonal skills and open-mindedness.
  • Ability to work in a team and with partners.
  • Independence and a sense of responsibility.
  • Strong ethical standards and sense of duty.
  • Supervising and mentoring of people.

Employment Equity

Committed to equity, diversity, and excellence, Université Laval is firmly dedicated to providing all its staff with a work and living environment characterized by an inclusive culture. For the University, diversity is a source of strength, and we encourage qualified people of all origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, as well as people with disabilities to apply.

Université Laval also adheres to an equal employment opportunity program for women, members of visible or ethnic minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities. Please note that accommodations for the selection process may be provided to people with disabilities based on their needs, in complete confidentiality. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to qualified candidates who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Career interruptions, slowdowns and Personal Circumstances

In keeping with its values of diversity and equity, Université Laval recognizes that career interruptions or slowdowns and personal circumstances—such as parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, caring for a family member, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a disability (among other factors)—may affect productivity and research achievements. Applicants are therefore encouraged to identify and explain, if applicable, any such situations. These will be duly considered when evaluating their applications.

Accommodations

Accommodations may be provided to applicants based on their needs for this competition, in complete confidentiality. If you require an accommodation, please contact the equity resource person using the contact information below.

Patrice Bouchard
Research Development Advisor
[e-mail]

Terms of Employment and Compensation

• Regular, full-time position leading to tenure.
• Salary based on experience.
• Exemption from teaching duties for the first year.
• Compensation in accordance with the Université Laval collective bargaining agreement, with an annual salary (12 months) ranging from $96,407 to $170,914, depending on rank and step.
• $100,000 per year for 6 years in research funding from the Impact+ Canada Emerging Leader Program, with the possibility of renewal.
• Start-up funding from the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the CERVO Center.

Start date: Fall 2027

Application deadline: no later than January 5, 2027

Link for additional information:

• Department Information: www.bcm.ulaval.ca