Post End Date:
September 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM

This job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)

About the Role: 

The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University is looking for an experienced scientist with a PhD in Plant Pathology, Plant Production, Agriculture Engineering or related areas with a focus on grapevine viruses, pathogen eradication from grapevine, grapevine plant propagation, and germplasm maintenance. Experience in vineyard field research and a desire to work with the Canadian grape and wine industry is required. Overseeing pathogen detection using high throughput sequencing and droplet digital PCR is required.     

Reporting to the Director, CCOVI, the Senior Scientist, Virology leads and participates in short-term and long-term applied and field research on issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry and leads and participates in outreach activities to support the local and Canadian grape and wine industry. The Senior Scientist supervises research assistants, and 4th year thesis students and co-supervises graduate students.   

The Senior Scientist, Virology will:  

• Provide research knowledge to pre-existing and new research programs in areas of their expertise in grapevine virology and vine propagation; 
• Lead the development of research programming focused on short-term and long-term issues relevant to the Niagara grape and wine industry; 
• Liaise with industry grape growers and winemakers to determine issues of relevance; 
• Carry out applied and field research and track, analyze and report on progress, communicating results to end users, the research community and media venues; 
• Collaborate with other CCOVI researchers and with professors affiliated with CCOVI to apply for competitive, multidisciplinary grant proposals and carry out joint research projects; 
• Maintain adjunct status in the department of Biological Sciences to have active participation in training and mentoring of graduate and 4th year students; 
• Lead the development of outreach activities to assist the local grape and wine industry, including workshops, seminars and videos; 
• Actively engage in strategic, long-term opportunities for the local community and industry engagement; 
• Oversee research personnel that are hired as a direct result of a successful grant application; 
• Provide financial oversight for any part of a grant that has a budget allocated directly to the incumbent as the Principal Investigator or collaborator; 
• Oversee all financials for short- and long-term grants and projects while demonstrating fiscal responsibility. 

Key Skills and Experience: 

• PhD in plant pathology, plant production systems or agriculture engineering with a focus on grapevine virology, and experience working on issues relevant to the grape and wine industry in areas of virology and plant propagation; 
• Advanced ability to obtain and manage grant money to fund research for the local grape and wine industry as a collaborator or as a principal investigator; 
• A research scientist who is recognized as an expert in their area of grapevine virology and grapevine propagation through local or national invited speaking engagements, and who has led a team of scientific and technical personnel or carried out in-depth inquiries to successfully deliver on the short-term and long-term outcomes of CCOVI and the grape and wine industry; 
• Advanced knowledge of area of plant pathology, grapevine virology and plant propogation as it relates to grape and wine production, quality indicators and impact from climate change; 
• Advanced awareness and ability to remain up to date with the issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry; 
• Demonstrated success attaining and managing significant research funding as a Principal Investigator; 
• Demonstrated success developing outreach programming including, workshops and seminars that engage members of the community at all levels of industry knowledge; 
• Knowledge of project management practices and principles, and the ability to keep up-to-date with best practices; 
• Strong listening, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; 
• Conflict resolution skills with the ability to communicate tactfully and diplomatically; 
• Advanced troubleshooting skills and ability to resolve research issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry; 
• Expert analytical skills and demonstrated ability to correctly analyze research results and draw accurate conclusions. 

Salary and Total Rewards:  

• Job Grade P, Salary Scale ($100,217-$160,348); 
• Target Hiring Range: $100,217-$115,000* 
• This is a permanent position that includes:   
• Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage. 
• Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan. 
• Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays. 
• Professional Development: Eligibility for the Brock Tuition Waiver Program. 

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range.