Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Award - LTRI

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional support to advance transformative research in Canada’s strategic priority areas , build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world.

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health , a fully affiliated member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network ( TAHSN ), invites applications from outstanding Early Career Researchers to establish an innovative, independent research program aligned with Canada's strategic priority area of Health, including Biotechnology . The nominee’s research area must demonstrably align with this category. Awards are valued at $100K per year over six years, with the possibility of extension for another six years.

The successful candidate will be appointed as an Investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, an independent faculty position equivalent to a tenure-track appointment, and will receive an academic appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. The start date should be between September 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.

Emerging Leaders Awards are intended for exceptional Early Career Researchers. Candidates must be within five years (minus eligible delays) of the start date of their first research-related appointment, defined as an appointment where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently. All eligible delays in research (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) are credited as twice the amount of time taken. Professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not credited as eligible leaves.

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will demonstrate research excellence, intellectual independence, leadership potential, and the ability to establish a competitive, internationally recognized research program. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute requires that candidates must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree and have completed postdoctoral training. They should have an outstanding record of research achievement, as evidenced by influential publications, invited presentations at international scientific meetings, awards and distinctions, and strong letters of reference. Candidates should demonstrate evidence of research independence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the potential to secure competitive external funding.

The successful candidate will establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program of international calibre at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. They will contribute to Sinai Health's collaborative research environment and have opportunities to develop impactful collaborations across Sinai Health and the University of Toronto, including but not limited to the Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Genome Integrity.

ABOUT US

The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community of world-class scholars at Canada’s leading university. The University of Toronto offers a wide range of opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, the excitement of working with a highly diverse student population and actively encourages innovative scholarship. The Greater Toronto Area offers amazing cultural and demographic diversity and one of the highest standards of living in the world. 

Sinai Health is one of Canada's leading academic health sciences centres, integrating world-class discovery research, translational science, clinical investigation, and patient care. Ranked among Canada's top 15 research hospitals, Sinai Health is internationally recognized for excellence in women's and infants' health, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, geriatrics, infectious diseases, and a strong culture of biotechnology innovation and commercialization.

Our 2026–2031 Research Strategic Plan builds on these clinical strengths together with internationally recognized leadership in discovery and translational research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI). LTRI investigators are global leaders in network and systems biology, developmental and cellular biology, endocrinology, structural biology, and data science. Researchers benefit from state-of-the-art shared research infrastructure, including the Network Biology Collaborative Centre , The Centre for Phenogenomics , a fully accredited Biospecimen Repository, and a dedicated Research Trainee Centre.

Sinai Health is a full affiliate of the University of Toronto and a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network ( TAHSN ), providing access to one of the world's largest and most collaborative biomedical research ecosystems. Toronto is a vibrant, safe, multicultural city with an exceptional quality of life.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

The anticipated salary range for this position is $145,000–165,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted electronically through Interfolio by August 7, 2026 (). Only complete applications received by the closing date will be considered.

Applications should include the following documents:

1. Cover letter describing their research program, highlighting its alignment with the Health, including Biotechnology  priority area and its potential for synergy with the Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Genome Integrity.
2. Structured summary (maximum one page) including:
3. education and training history;
4. a summary of up to five of the applicant's most significant research contributions; and
5. an abstract of the proposed research program.

• Research statement (maximum three pages, excluding references) describing the proposed research program, its significance, innovation, and anticipated scientific and societal impact.
• Statement on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (maximum one page), describing past contributions and/or future plans to foster an inclusive research, training, and mentoring environment. Applicants may also describe how these principles are incorporated into research design, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.
• Curriculum vitae , including a complete publication list, record of research funding, and, where applicable, a description of career interruptions or other circumstances that may have affected research productivity.
• Three letters of reference

Questions regarding this opportunity may be directed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Anne-Claude Gingras and Daniel Schramek, at View email address on nature.com . Please note that applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, and the University of Toronto are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse research community. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, disabled people/persons with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

We recognize that outstanding scholars follow diverse career paths and that career interruptions or non-linear trajectories due to personal circumstances may be part of an excellent academic record. Applicants are encouraged to describe such circumstances, where appropriate, to support a fair and equitable assessment. Search committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to the impact of career interruptions throughout the evaluation process.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Employment at Sinai Health is conditional upon the verification of credentials, completion of a health review, and demonstrating proof of immunity and vaccination status of vaccine-preventable diseases. All employees and affiliates will follow safe work practices and comply with health and safety policies, procedures and training. If you believe you are one of the very few people who may require an exemption from vaccination, supporting medical information must be submitted to our Occupational Health department, who will review and assess. 

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

As an equal opportunity employer who understands that diversity enriches our community and culture, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, disabled people/people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require accommodation(s) due to disability at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Klaudia Dudas  at View email address on nature.com .

All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

COLLECTION OF EQUITY DATA

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey directly on the Interfolio site. This form is voluntary, and any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by the search committee. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes as part of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.