Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering Faculty opportunity at UBC

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Vancouver campus of The University of British

Columbia invites applications for one or more faculty positions in Synthetic Biology and Metabolic

Engineering to start no earlier than July 1, 2023. This is a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor

level or at the Associate Professor level in exceptional circumstances. Applicants specializing in

reconstructing microbial regulatory and metabolic networks as well as high-throughput microbial

genome engineering, particularly as applied to strengthening Canada’s natural resource sectors are

strongly encouraged to apply.

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 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 ability

to teach microbial genetics and genomics is an asset, as are teaching excellence and an interest in

innovative teaching methods.

The successful candidate will become a member of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology

(www.microbiology.ubc.ca). The Department includes 25 research faculty with strengths across the

disciplines of microbiology, virology, and immunology including microbial genomics, data science,

functional screening, microbial ecology, as well as bacterial metabolism and physiology. 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 could be part of the multi-faculty BioProducts Institute (bpi.ubc.ca), which brings together

interdisciplinary researchers comprised of scientists, engineers, and market and policy experts to

unlock the full potential of materials, chemicals and fuels produced in Nature. 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.

Applicants should submit:

1. Cover letter (up to two pages) that outlines your research vision and accomplishments, your

teaching philosophy and experience, and leadership activities in academic service, equity,

diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

2. Curriculum vitae.

3. Summary of research interests describing two potentially fundable projects (maximum 4 pages).

4. Statement of teaching interests and accomplishments (maximum 2 pages).

5. Statement describing identifying your past contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, along

with your ability to work with a culturally diverse student body (giving specific examples where

possible), as well as your philosophy of and potential future contributions to equity, diversity

and inclusion (maximum 1 page).

6. Names and contact information for 3 referees.

Apply through Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23202. Review of

completed applications will begin on November 14, 2022.

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 Musqueam people. 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.