Description The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in partnership with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, invite applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of computational oncology. The selected candidate will also be nominated for a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Computational Oncology. The Chair is tenable for five years and renewable once. This position guarantees 75% protected time for research.
With a deeper understanding of the molecular profiles, clinical characteristics, and patient factors that influence cancer risk, progression, prognosis, and outcomes, we can develop more precise and effective approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment. This approach to delivering precision cancer medicine relies on the use of computational and data science approaches to make sense of large and highly complex, multiscale datasets. The successful applicant will be expected to leverage advanced computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), in silico modeling, software and tool development, and/or data engineering to integrate and interpret large and complex datasets, enabling more precise classification of tumours, prediction and monitoring of response to treatment, prediction of disease recurrence, and/or modeling of tumour behaviour in individual patients. These approaches will also generate new biological insights into the pathways and mechanisms that drive cancer development.
The successful applicant will join the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and become an active member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. The Department and Institute have a well-recognized multi-disciplinary research environment that will facilitate the chosen applicant's ability to direct a cross-cutting research program in computational oncology. In addition, the cancer research ecosystem is anchored by the state-of-the-art Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and supported by extensive biospecimen resources, advanced core facilities for molecular analyses, an integrated data environment, and strong graduate training programs.
Applicants will require evidence or promise of original high-quality research and scholarship and future development as a scholar. The applicant will also have evidence or promise of the ability to obtain funding as well as evidence or promise of effectiveness in teaching and trainee mentorship at the University level or equivalent. In addition to fostering a thriving training program, the selected candidate will participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Experience with lecturing and innovative educational approaches, course development and coordination, and a demonstrated record of impact in undergraduate teaching. The selected applicant will also have opportunities to be involved in administrative and service activities that affect the Cumming School of Medicine community.
Qualifications include a PhD or equivalent, and a minimum of two years of postdoctoral research fellowship experiences. The selected applicant will be an emerging leader in the field of computational oncology and will have expertise in the development and deployment of computational methodologies to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. Areas of potential focus could include, but not be limited to, use of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) using radiomics, computer vision models, and large language models, and/or development of bioinformatics and reproducible data pipelines. The program of research will be potentially complementary and collaborative with current strengths in the Cumming School of Medicine.
Tier II Canada Research Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must be within 10 years of their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of nomination). Candidates who are more than 10 years from their first independent appointment may still be considered through the official Tier II justification process if they have experienced eligible career interruptions, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, mandatory military service, etc. Research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., closures) are recognized as, and may be counted as, an eligible delay beginning March 1, 2020. Further information about the Canada Research Chairs Program can be found on the Government of Canada's CRC website , including eligibility criteria.
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via University of Calgary Careers webpage using the 'Apply Now' link.
Please be aware that the application process allows for a maximum of four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following (you are encouraged to merge documents to reduce the number of attachments):
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of research interests (not to exceed 2 pages)
- A 5-year research plan for the Tier II CRC (4 pages)
- Leadership statement including equity, diversity and inclusion considerations (not to exceed 2 pages)
- The names and contact information for three (3) referees. Reference letters will not be required unless the applicant is short-listed for a visit/interview.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Justin A. MacDonald, PhD
Professor and Head, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
C/O Margaret Enders ( [email protected] )
Posting Date: October 29, 2026
Closing Date: December 4, 2026
For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Academic Careers website . For more information about the
Cumming School of Medicine, click here .
