Assistant Professor in Regulated Plant Pests - Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders

McGill University; Greater London; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

McGill University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Plant Science, focused on regulated plant pests. The successful candidate will build an externally funded research program and contribute to teaching in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The role integrates with the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program, with access to substantial research funding and the Plant Pest Containment Laboratory at Macdonald Campus.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Health, Plant Biology, Integrated Pest Management or related field.
• Experience with high-containment facilities (BSL-2/3) handling quarantine or regulated pests.
• Knowledge of Canadian plant protection legislation and ISPMs.
• English-language university with potential French teaching ability considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Teach core undergraduate courses related to plant pests and a graduate course on Integrated Pest Management.
• Develop an internationally recognized, externally funded research program on regulated pests and quarantine organisms.
• Collaborate with government agencies, industry, and international plant health organizations.

Education

PhD in Plant Health or related field

Job description

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders (McGill University)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position

Open to rank of Assistant Professor in Regulated Plant Pests

Program Description

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in recruiting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional support to advance transformative research in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world.

Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences / Department of Plant Science

The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at McGill University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position to advance transformational research programs that support the growth of Canada’s global leadership in the following strategic priority area:

• Environment, climate resilience, and the Arctic

Emerging Leaders must have an independent program of research that demonstrates strategic alignment with this priority area. The award provides $100,000 per year for six years to McGill University to support the salary costs associated with the successful Emerging Leader appointment as well as direct research expenses, with the possibility of extension for a further six years.

Successful candidates will be expected to begin a full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor no later than June 28, 2027, in the Department of Plant Science.

Job Duties

The successful candidate specializes in the study of insects, pathogens, nematodes, or invasive weeds that are legally restricted by governments to protect agriculture and ecosystems. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized, externally funded research program focused on the biology, diagnostics, epidemiology, management or responses to environmental and climate change of regulated pests, invasive species, or quarantine organisms that affect agricultural crops in Canada.

The successful candidate is expected to teach core courses [such as an introductory course related to plant pests (e.g., Insect Biology), Pesticides in Agriculture] in the Faculty’s undergraduate programs and a graduate course related to Integrated Pest Management. In addition to teaching, the candidate will be expected to conduct innovative research in regulated plant pests, making full use of the extensive research infrastructure at the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, more specifically the Plant Pest Containment (PPC) Laboratory, which is part of the Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform (ECP3). The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between academic research and regulatory science, collaborating closely with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international plant health organizations.

The candidate should also actively pursue collaborative research with other departments and schools within the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to foster interdisciplinary approaches. Participation in Department, Faculty, and University committees is expected, as are interactions with provincial and federal organizations and professional societies.

Qualifications and Education Requirement

Only candidates who were internationally based, both working and residing outside Canada, on June 28, 2026, are eligible.

Candidates must be within five years following the start date of their first research-related appointment, minus the length of any eligible delays in research. Recent graduates and postdoctoral fellows may also be eligible.

Ph.D. in Plant Health, Plant Biology, Integrated Pest Management or related field; track record and demonstrated excellence in working in high-containment facilities (Biosafety Level 2 or 3) handling quarantine or regulated pests; knowledge of Canadian plant protection legislation, the Plant Protection Act, and international phytosanitary standards (ISPMs).

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing. The ability to teach and communicate in French and prior experience with the Canadian agricultural and agri-food industry are considered an asset.

Research-related appointments are defined as those where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently.

Eligible leaves, including maternity, parental, medical, and bereavement leave, are credited as twice the amount of time taken. Professional leaves, including training, sabbatical, and administrative leave, are not credited.

A PhD is required by McGill University for appointment to a tenure-track position; however, it is not a requirement of the Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program itself.

Candidates should review the eligibility and selection criteria for the Impact+ Program prior to applying.

Canadians living abroad who wish to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.

Faculty/Department/Unit

Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences / Department of Plant Science

Job Type

Tenure-track

Rank

Assistant Professor

Salary

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required Documents

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research describing current and future research, alignment with the strategic priority area, and potential for knowledge translation, mobilization, and application of research results (maximum 2 pages)
• Research infrastructure needs: laboratory space, equipment(max. 1 page)
• Teaching statement (max. 1 page) and dossier
• Contact information for three references

Commitment to Equity and Diversity

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.