Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Ph[...]

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology. The role focuses on developing a competitive research program while fostering collaboration across disciplines. Candidates should have a PhD and a commitment to research excellence and diversity.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Developing research in computational modelling at the cell or tissue scale.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience with interdisciplinary collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Develop an internationally recognized research program in mathematical modelling.
• Mentor postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
• Attract and manage external research funding.

Skills

Data-driven modelling

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Research excellence

Education

PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Biological Engineering, or related field

Job description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Bargaining Job Title Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology Department Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences | Faculty of Medicine | Provost and VP Academic (Edwin D Moore) Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

The expected salary for this position is $150,000 - $170,000 per annum, commensurate with experience.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff, and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The Departments of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and The Department of Mathematics at The University of British Columbia (UBC) invite applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology.

Tier 2 Chairs are five-year positions, renewable once, intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have the potential to lead in their fields. Applicants must hold or be eligible to hold a full-time, tenure-stream appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor at UBC. Normally, applicants for Tier 2 Chairs should be no more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree at the time of Chair nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Effective March 1, 2020, research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized and may be counted as an eligible delay.

The Canada Research Chair Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan guides the University’s efforts to sustain the participation of people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women, and people from minoritized gender identity groups. Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, UBC is currently restricted in the recruitment, selection, and nomination of CRCs to members of these groups.

Position Overview

We seek an emerging research leader for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair position in Mathematical and Computational Modelling in Cell Biology and Physiology. The successful candidate will be eligible to hold a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, tenure, in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Medicine) and the Department of Mathematics (Faculty of Science) at UBC.

Research Focus and Expertise

The Chair will develop an internationally competitive research program in mathematical and computational modelling at the cell and/or tissue scale, motivated by, and focused on, emerging data and experimental challenges. This may include biochemical, biomechanical and biophysical modelling, image analysis and its applications to understanding biological mechanisms, and/or the development of computational methods to support biological research. The successful candidate may run their own wet lab or work primarily as a computational/theoretical scientist.

The successful candidate will enhance UBC’s growing research community in computational mathematics applied to cell biology and physiology. We seek an applicant who has a track record or is keen to develop cross-disciplinary collaborations with experimentalists and modelers in both departments, and bring modern data-driven computational modelling approaches to study cutting-edge cell biology and/or physiology.

Responsibilities

The Tier 2 Chair is expected to:

• Develop an internationally recognized research program in mathematical and computational modelling in cell biology, biomechanics and/or physiology.

• Provide mentorship to postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in mathematical modelling of biological systems.

• Attract and manage external research funding to develop and support an innovative research program.

• Collaborate across disciplines in areas such as biological modeling, image analysis, data-driven modelling, high-performance scientific computing, and development of mathematical/computational methods and tools.

• Teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.

• Engage in academic service and outreach.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• A PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Biological Engineering, or a closely related field, as part of the UBC requirement.

• A developing record of research excellence in data-driven mathematical and computational modelling at the cell and/or tissue scale.

• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring at both the graduate and undergraduate levels; experience is preferred but not required.

• The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own, and a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Experience in engaging with broad scientific communities and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit the following materials via the MathJobs online portal (link here):

• Cover letter outlining interest in the position.

• Curriculum vitae including a full list of publications.

• Research statement describing current work and future research plans directed at collaborating across disciplines (3-5 pages).

• Teaching and mentorship statement detailing teaching philosophy and student supervision experience (if applicable) (1 page).

• Diversity statement describing your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion (1 page).

• References – names and contact information of three referees for the Assistant Professor rank and four arm’s length referees for the Associate Professor rank.

The Faculty of Medicine is committed to offering equitable and competitive salaries, with a comprehensive benefits package and career development opportunities. For more information, visit: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc.

Should you have any queries, please contact Human Resources Manager at Zaira dot Khan at UBC dot ca.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2025. The successful applicant will be required to prepare a CRC package by the UBC internal deadline of August 21, 2026, for the CRC deadline of October 20, 2026. The earliest start date is July 1, 2026, or later upon mutual agreement. This offer is contingent upon successful application and CRC award receipt.

The Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences

The Department (www.cellphys.ubc.ca) investigates fundamental cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying human health and disease, with strengths in cardiovascular physiology, cell biology, cancer, development, diabetes, endocrinology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. Located in the Life Sciences Institute (www.lsi.ubc.ca), it fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

The Department of Mathematics

The Department (www.math.ubc.ca) is one of the largest and strongest in Canada, with research strengths across pure and applied mathematics, and close ties with other faculties and the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (pims.math.ca).

UBC recognizes the impact of leaves (e.g., parental leave, illness) on research achievement and will consider these during assessment. Applications are limited to those who self-identify as members of designated groups under the BC Human Rights Code, with an equity survey required as part of the application process (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9).

The university is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable environment. Confidential accommodations are available upon request. For more info, visit https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/workplace-accessibility/centre-workplace-accessibility.

We acknowledge that UBC is located on traditional, unceded territories of First Nations Peoples. Our vision is to transform health for everyone, with a mission to lead in medical education, research, and community service.

Ranked among the top medical schools worldwide, UBC Faculty of Medicine is dedicated to excellence and diversity, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.