Tier II Canada Research Chair in Computational Oncology

The University of Calgary is located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The city of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation within Alberta (Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).

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. 

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.

The Cumming School of Medicine values the unique contributions that can come about by employing a diverse staff and seeks to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will contribute to creating the future of health. We are committed to fostering diversity by cultivating an environment where people with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported. This includes the provision of a formal mentoring program, internal grant review programs that enhance success in research grant applications, pilot funding programs and other support programs.

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is  Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups .  Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit  ucalgary.ca .

The university’s commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary. 

With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.

The University of Calgary adheres to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and strives to evaluate research impact responsibly and inclusively by explicitly considering discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate's research productivity.

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.

View full posting and apply:

For more information please contact:

Dr. Justin A. MacDonald, PhD

Professor and Head, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

C/O Margaret Enders (View email address on nature.com)

Application deadline: December 4, 2026

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website () .  For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Cumming School of Medicine | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca)

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide  Indigenous Strategy ii' aa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here; in particular, we encourage members of equity-deserving groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ( View email address on nature.com ) and requests for accommodation can be sent to the People & Culture Team ( View email address on nature.com ).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

The terms and conditions of this appointment, including salary, are governed by the collective agreement between the Faculty Association of the University of Calgary and the Governors of the University of Calgary. Detailed information is available here .