Applications are invited for the position of Chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. The successful candidate must be eligible for a tenure stream appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The appointment as Chair will be for a 5-year term effective July 1, 2022, or shortly thereafter, renewable following a favourable review.
The successful candidate must have a PhD in Molecular Genetics, or equivalent doctoral degree in a related discipline. They must also have research and teaching interests that complement and strengthen the Departmentâs existing strengths. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in research, (undergraduate and graduate) teaching, mentorship and leadership and also bring a vision for innovative interdisciplinary research and education. They will have a record of collaborative leadership and people management skills to facilitate engagement with scholars across the University of Toronto and affiliated hospitals and to cultivate strategic partnerships with stakeholders in corporate sectors, government ministries and funding sources. Strong management, communication and interpersonal skills are necessaryâin addition to creative approaches to person-centred, empathy-informed problem-solving. They will be expected to lead and sustain innovative and independent research to maintain a competitive externally-funded research program at the highest international level. The candidate will oversee the promotion and implementation of strategic priorities, process improvement and change management, faculty development and recruitment, and education and research programs in a geographically-dispersed Department. They will be expected to bring an inclusive vision and be deeply committed to practically implementing the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and accessibility (EDIIA) in teaching, mentorship, research collaborations, faculty development, alumni engagement and in developing a future vision of the Department. Previous experience managing financial, budgetary and human resources would be an asset. Experience both in alumni relationship-building and successful fundraising would also be an asset. The Chair will take the Department of Molecular Genetics to an even higher level of academic achievement and recognition.
In addition to the submitted research statement and strong endorsements by referees of high international standing, the successful candidate must show excellence in research and be an internationally-recognized scholar as evidenced by a record of sustained high-impact publications in leading internationally-recognized journals, presentations and leadership at significant conferences, distinguished awards and accolades for research activity, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline.
Along with the teaching dossier submitted that includes a statement of teaching philosophy, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations, as well as strong letters of reference, the successful candidate must show evidence of excellence in teaching through teaching accomplishments, successful experience teaching in a degree-granting program, and providing mentorship and professional development to undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Department of Molecular Geneticsâ deep and rich tradition of teaching and research excellence dates back to 1969. The Department traverses several foci of research activity using state-of-the art equipment situated in five geographic ânodesâ within a 10-minute walk from each other: two campus- based venues (the Medical Sciences Building and the Donnelly Centre), MaRS West Tower and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Mount Sinai Hospital Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, and The Hospital for Sick Children Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning. The Department boasts over 100 faculty members whose research spans the frontiers of biological research and discovery from Cellular and Molecular Structure and Function; Computational and Systems Biology; Functional Genomics and Proteomics; Genetic Models of Development and Disease; Molecular Medicine and Human Genetics; and Molecular Microbiology and Infectious Disease. Principal faculty comprise 30 Canada Research Chairs. The Department offers research-intensive graduate programs, professional programs in Medical Genomics and Genetic Counselling, and an undergraduate program that provides the opportunity for involvement in research and exposure to the most current techniques.
In 2021, the Department was ranked eleventh in the world for departments of molecular biology and genetics by the US News and World Report. The Department ranks 11th in the world US News & World Report. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Toronto 5th in the world for clinical and health and 2nd among North American public institutions (after the University of California, Berkley). Spanning the basic, clinical and rehabilitation sciences, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals and research institutes form one of the largest research enterprises in North America. The Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) is one of the top five clusters of academic medicine in North America.
Interested individuals must apply here. Applications must include a (1) letter of interest with evidence of successful leadership experience; (2) current CV; (3) research statement; (4) teaching dossier that includes a teaching statement, sample course materials and teaching evaluations; and (5) statement on philosophy and contributions to EDIIA [maximum 300 words]. Examples of contributions to EDIIA include mentoring of students, administrative staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups; faculty and/or leadership development initiatives; development of inclusive pedagogies; research, scholarship and/or teaching with a focus on underrepresented and historically marginalized communities; and public engagement activities that reach out to marginalized communities.
Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Torontoâs recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each after an application is submitted (this happens overnight). Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit lettersâon letterhead, dated, signedâby the closing date.
Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply.
All application materials, including reference letters, must be received by the closing date, January 24, 2022.
For detailed information on the Department of Molecular Genetics, visit www.moleculargenetics.utoronto.ca. The Department Molecular Genetics is located at 1 Kingâs College Circle, MSB 4396, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8 CANADA.
If you have questions about this position, contact Anastasia Meletopoulos, Academic Affairs Manager, Temerty Faculty of Medicine at anastasia.meletopoulos@utoronto.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief diversity survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.
