Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology

University of Ottawa, Ontario CANADA; Ontario; On-site; CAD 99,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa seeks a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology. This tenure-track position requires an early-career researcher with expertise in AI and bioinformatics to advance multi-omics research. The successful candidate will engage in teaching, research, and contribute to the Brain-Heart Interconnectome program, with a competitive salary starting at $99,377.

Benefits

Complete benefits package

Long-term disability insurance

Health insurance

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Demonstrated strengths in artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.
• Proven record of interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Ability to obtain external research funds.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and supervising graduate students.
• Conducting research and scholarly activities.
• Participating in academic service.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence

Bioinformatics

Machine Learning

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in a related field

Job description

The University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology. The successful candidate will hold a tenure-track position with the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and be a Core Academic Member of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI). Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of the nation’s capital and in close proximity to multiple national agencies, the University of Ottawa is one of Canada's top ten research-intensive universities. It is recognised as the first and largest bilingual university in North America and offers strong connections to organisational, government and policy interest holders.

We are interested in attracting an early-career researcher with demonstrated strengths in artificial intelligence and bioinformatics. More specifically, expertise in using machine learning and AI tools to leverage multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and epigenomics) to detect patterns and build predictive models for disease progression and treatment outcomes. The successful candidate will be crucial for realizing the full potential of multi-omics research and overcoming the challenges of data complexity, computational demands and the need for standardized methodologies.

The successful candidate will become an integral part of our dynamic and research-intensive environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and strong support from the University of Ottawa and affiliated research institutes, where brain-heart research has been identified as a strategic priority within our 'Health' research mandate. This environment encompasses the Faculty of Medicine’s clinical departments (e.g., Department of Medicine), as well as departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), School of Epidemiology and Public Heath (SEPH), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS) and the Department of Innovation in Medical Education (DIME). As a Core Academic Member of the BHI, the candidate will be well positioned to apply their skills to the unique challenges of interconnected brain-heart disorders. The BHI is a ground-breaking interdisciplinary research program aimed at accelerating prevention, detection, treatment and care of interconnected brain and heart disorders through research co-produced with patients and other knowledge users.

Tier 2 Chairs:
Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program allocates to institutions $100,000 annually for five years, with an additional $20,000 annual research stipend for first-term Tier 2 Chairs.
Candidates should, at a minimum, be assistant or associate professors, or possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels. Candidates who are more than 10 years from their highest degree must contact the University of Ottawa directly for questions related to their potential eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair. The institution may nominate a professor or a researcher who is more than 10 years from their highest degree at the time of nomination and has experienced legitimate career interruptions (see acceptable justifications). In such cases, the institution must submit to the Secretariat a formal justification (using the Tier 2 Justification Screening Form), explaining why the nominee is still considered to be an emerging scholar. The University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. New CRC nominees are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.

Preferential Hiring:
The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from skilled and experienced members of the four designated groups such as Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and gender equity-seeking groups, as defined in the CRC Program method for establishing equity targets and the Employment Equity Act, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively implement equity measures that ensure and retain diverse teams and promote inclusive practices for research team members. As part of this preferential hiring process, applications from members of the four designated groups will be prioritized and assessed first for the vacancy. The purpose of this measure is to increase the representation and contribution of members of the four designated groups in the allocation of Canada Research Chair positions. All candidates are asked to complete the confidential self-identification questionnaire during the application process online. Internal candidates such as professors (APUO and non APUO), postdoctoral fellows, and students are not eligible.

Skills requirements:

• Education : PhD in a field related to the position.
• Required Qualifications: superior research achievements in the CRC’s identified area(s) and proof of interdisciplinary collaborations, a solid record with respect to publication record, teaching and training of students at the graduate level, the ability to obtain external research funds. Excellent communication skills in either English or French. Passive knowledge of the second official language (French or English) is a requirement for tenure. English-French bilingualism is an asset.

Duties: Academic staff functions include, in varying proportions:

• teaching
• scholarly activities such as research, artistic or literary creation, or professional work
• academic service
• graduate student supervision

Rank and salary:
New tenure-track academic appointment in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology. Additional appointment within the relevant affiliated research institute will depend on area of expertise and partnership agreements. Salary scale for an Assistant Professor starts at $99,377 (as of May 1, 2025). Salaries are competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package which includes long-term disability insurance, basic group life insurance, health insurance, University of Ottawa pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as reimbursement of eligible relocation expenses.
Location of work: Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5 Canada.

Application Package:

• A cover letter;
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (Please include any personal circumstances and/or career interruptions such as parental or sick leaves that may have impacted your research trajectory. These will be taken into consideration in the selection process);
• A research plan (2 to 3 pages);
• A statement of relevance to the BHI and commitment to a research co-production approach (research carried out in collaboration with community, patients, health professionals, policy makers and other knowledge users) (1 page);
• A statement of teaching interests (1 to 2 pages);
• A statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion philosophy and concrete practices (1 page);
• The names of three people who may be contacted by the University for letters of reference which will follow the Canada Research Chairs guidelines (i.e. Tier 2: one arm’s length and two who are not affiliated to the University of Ottawa unless they are the candidate’s PhD or postdoctoral supervisor); and
• Self-identification: Complete the confidential Employment Equity questionnaire online during the application process. The Canada Research Chairs Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, following the program’s best practices.

Deadline: June 21, 2025

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please address your cover letter to the following person:
Dr. Julie St-Pierre, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation
University of Ottawa
550 Cumberland St., room 246
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA
For questions, please email: [e-mail]

Ad posted on May 21, 2025

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.
In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at [e-mail]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 175-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides second-language training to staff members and their spouses.