Assistant Professor of Vaccinology

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

THE DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF VACCINOLOGY

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Faculty of Science at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver seeks candidates for a tenure-track Assistant Professor to start no earlier than July 1, 2024. The candidate will be an integral part of the interdisciplinary Prepare for Pandemics through Advanced Research in Evolution (PrePARE) research cluster formed to address the emergence and evolution of infectious disease. Applicants interested in developing innovative new interventions/vaccines or vaccine approaches targeting zoonotic pathogens are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with a strong background in basic immunology and interests in translational research, including: rational vaccine design, hypothesis-driven systems vaccinology, animal models of infection, One Health, co-morbidities that affect vaccine efficacy, and/or platform-based approaches to mitigate evolving zoonoses, would be well aligned with the mission of the PrePARE research cluster (mbim.ubc.ca/prepare).

The position requires a PhD, postdoctoral experience, and a strong record of research achievements and publications in this field. The successful applicant will be expected to develop an innovative, externally-funded and internationally-competitive research program; supervise graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; collaborate with faculty members; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in immunology, virology, or microbiology; and participate in service to the department, university, and academic/scientific community. Candidates will have strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and a commitment to creating a welcoming community where those who are historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized are treated equitably, feel respected, and belong.

The successful candidate will become a member of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (mbim.ubc.ca). The Department includes 25 research faculty with strengths across the disciplines of immunology, virology, and microbiology including systems immunology, data science, virology, and host-pathogen interactions. The successful applicant will establish their laboratory in the Life Sciences Institute (lsi.ubc.ca), which houses 85 laboratories across 10 departments, providing ample opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaborations. The new hire will have access to outstanding core resources for acoustic liquid handling and microfluidics, high-throughput screening, cell sorting, plurality and single-cell sequencing, microscopy, metabolomics, and proteomics. The Centre for Disease Modeling, the UBC Gnotobiotic mouse facility, and the FINDER level-3 biosafety laboratory provide state-of-the-art facilities for studying rodent models of disease.

 

Applicants should submit as a PDF document:

1.     Cover letter (up to 2 pages).

2.     Curriculum vitae including a summary of teaching experience and effectiveness.

3.     Summary of research interests describing two potentially fundable projects as well as how your research fits within the PrePARE cluster (maximum 4 pages).

4.     Statement of teaching philosophy and accomplishments (up to 2 pages).

5.     Diversity statement describing your lived background experiences (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.  (up to 1 page).

6.     Names and contact information for 3 individuals willing to serve as references.

 

Apply through Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25864

The closing date for applications is November 1, 2023.

 

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam). Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world. UBC is dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded throughout the university’s academic and work life, recognizing that significant work remains to be accomplished. For example, UBC’s vision is to be a world leader in the implementation of Indigenous people’s human rights and is guided in a mission of reconciliation as articulated and called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It is firmly committed to recruiting Indigenous faculty, students, and staff as outlined in its Indigenous Strategic Plan.  As one of the world’s leading universities, UBC creates exceptional research and learning environments to foster global citizenship, advance a civil and sustainable society, to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence.  An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged.  Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.

Also, within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short listed by contacting Hannah Wong [email protected].