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Professor, Tenure – Donald Rix British Columbia Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine

By ji ying ginny mak | October 21, 2020

The Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) invite applications for a successful candidate eligible to be nominated for the approved Donald Rix British Columbia Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine, and appointed a faculty position at the rank of Professor with tenure.

This position is located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this position requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

The CMMT is a senate-approved Research Centre of UBC with a scientific mandate to ascertain cellular and protein function relevant to human disease as the key to improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health problems in children and adults. Investigators at the CMMT are working to advance understanding of the roles of environment and genetics in human health and disease, and to develop new treatments and therapies. Based at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) on the BC Children’s Hospital campus, CMMT is home to a world-leading multidisciplinary research team working on fundamental, clinical, and translational research into the mechanisms underlying genetic and epigenetic causes of disease, with expertise spanning genetics, neuroscience, metabolism, biochemistry, cell biology, and bioinformatics. BCCHR is a large, hospital-based research institute where over 300 investigators form a dynamic and highly collaborative research community, with particular strengths in understanding the causes of childhood disorders and translating discoveries into therapies for the treatment of childhood disease. Together, CMMT and BCCHR have enjoyed a close partnership for over two decades, and together provide extensive support for research, infrastructure, core facilities, administrative support, research development and education programs that will help ensure the success of the Chair. CMMT and BCCHR are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and core facilities utilized by researchers throughout the UBC community. The successful candidate will be supported with appropriate space in the CMMT, as well as a highly competitive start-up award.

This prestigious appointment, supported by the Leading-Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF), will provide a unique opportunity for an internationally recognized individual to perform research in an outstanding and inclusive environment to enhance the province of BC as a leader in genetic medicine. The successful applicant will conduct innovative research that will generate new knowledge relevant to genetic contributions to illness or molecular determinants and mechanisms of disease, and/or development of novel therapeutic approaches and technologies to improve diagnosis and treatments for disease. The successful candidate will have an outstanding track record of excellence and leadership in research related to understanding genetic and epigenetic causes of diseases and their treatment. Areas of research interest of the successful candidate could include, but are not limited to, (i) genetic causes of disease, particularly in childhood, including genome sequencing, single cell transcriptomics, and model organisms; (ii) bioinformatics and computational biology approaches to understanding gene and protein function in health and disease; and (iii) translation of discovery to molecular and/or cell therapies for improving the lives of children and adults living with disease.

The successful candidate will hold an MD and/or PhD, or equivalent, and will qualify for a full-time appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Clinician scientists are welcome and encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized leader and have attained distinction within their discipline, with a sustained and productive program of scholarly activity. The incumbent must show evidence of excellence in teaching and will be expected to participate in the teaching activities of the Department, as well as provide mentorship and training to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute and provide service to the University and the broader academic and professional community. The incumbent will have demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and interact with empathy, understanding and, respect of diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviours. The successful candidate will foster engagement and inclusivity across the Centre and its stakeholders and promote a culture of respect, integrity, compassion the broader academic and professional community. An appropriate academic Department in the UBC Faculty of Medicine will be identified at the time a successful candidate is selected contingent upon the candidate’s area of expertise.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. An application package should include a letter of application outlining the applicant’s research and teaching interests, accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae and the names of four arm’s length references. Please also provide a brief statement (1-2 pages) of the applicant’s current or planned contributions to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic, professional, or community contexts. Please submit your application to:

Name: Shelly Au, Senior Manager, Research Programs & Services

Email: shelly.au@ubc.ca

Subject Line: BC Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine

Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2023 or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

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, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. 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. 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.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. 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. Please contact Shelly Au via email at shelly.au@ubc.ca.

To learn more about UBC’s Center for Workplace Accessibility, visit the website here https://hr.ubc.ca/CWA.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of thexʷm əθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

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The Faculty — comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members — is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 24 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualifies persons are encouraged to apply. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. 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. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.