Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Plant Biology

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

Position Description:

The Department of Biology at McMaster is seeking candidates to fill a full-time tenure-track research faculty position at the Assistant Professor level, working in the area of Plant Biology.  The preferred start date for the appointment is July 1, 2027.

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in Biology, Life Sciences or a related discipline, a record of research excellence in the area of plant biology/plant-related microbiology/biotechnology, strong communication skills, and a commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.

The successful candidate should clearly demonstrate the potential to develop a prominent, externally funded research program, and be strongly committed to excellence in teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  All potential candidates whose research focuses on any aspect of plant biology are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in candidates working in the areas of plant genetics, plant-microbe interactions, and plant-environment interactions, and in those having strong functional genomics, evolutionary, and/or bioinformatics components to their work.

The Department of Biology is a thriving community of scientists working in diverse areas, who are committed to excellence and innovation in research, training, teaching, and outreach.  The Department is entering an exciting period of faculty and infrastructure renewal (including being home to a brand-new greenhouse). We currently have ~20 full-time research-active faculty members, in addition to 4 teaching faculty members, ~80 graduate students, and ~900 undergraduate students. For more information on the Department, please visit biology.mcmaster.ca.

McMaster University is a globally renowned institution of higher learning and a research community committed to advancing human and societal health and well-being. Our focus on collaboratively exchanging ideas and approaches makes us uniquely positioned to pioneer ground-breaking solutions to real-world problems leading to a Brighter World. The Faculty of Science works to create global impact by advancing scientific discovery and knowledge, and promoting greater understanding. Our innovative, interdisciplinary approach generates new methods and insights, results, and lasting change.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities (“visible minorities”), persons with disabilities, women, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

We invite all applicants to complete a brief Diversity Survey, which takes approximately two minutes to complete, through McMaster’s application submission portal. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Science at View email address on nature.com to communicate accommodation needs.

How to Apply:

Complete applications must be made online at hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/current-opportunities/ (Faculty Positions, Job 78638) by the deadline to the attention of Dr. Marie Elliot, Professor & Chair, Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1.

A complete application consists of:

• a cover letter (including a statement regarding whether the applicant has Canadian citizenship / permanent resident status (see below))
• a current Curriculum Vitae, and
• three (3) representative publications
• a statement of research interests
• a statement of teaching philosophy and interests
• a statement of experience and plans for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in post-secondary education, community-based or other professional settings (2-page maximum)
• the names and full contact information of at least three referees.  Letters of reference are not required and will not be reviewed at the application stage; the Department will request letters of recommendation from referees at later stages of the search process.

McMaster University recognizes the potential impact that career interruptions and personal circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, early childcare, eldercare, illness, etc.) can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their applications the impact that career interruptions, or other issues, may have had.

Review of complete applications will begin November 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.  All applicants will receive an on-line, system-generated confirmation of receipt of their application; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews.  Progressive policies are in place to assist faculty members achieve a work-life balance.  The starting salary will not be less than $99,981, and will be determined based on rank, discipline, experience, and qualifications. Salaries for faculty members progress through a Career Progress/Merit Plan; average salaries by rank and Faculty for previous academic years can be found here (macfaculty.mcmaster.ca/members/salary-and-financial-information/salary-statistics/).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.  To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications need to include the following statement in their application package:  I am/am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada .  Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.