Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Molecular Biosciences

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Molecular Biosciences
Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Position Description:

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of artificial intelligence and molecular biosciences.

We seek an outstanding candidate whose research program integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning with modern experimental biology. The successful candidate will develop innovative computational or data-driven approaches to analyze and interpret complex biological data. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, genomics, proteomics and other omics or multi-omics datasets, biochemistry, biological imaging, and AI-enabled drug discovery. Applications may span biochemistry, cancer biology, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience, plant and agricultural biology, biotechnology, and other areas aligned with the Department’s strengths.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program that advances AI-enabled biological discovery and creates new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. The candidate’s research should complement existing departmental strengths in molecular biology and genetics, neuroscience, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and multi-omics while strengthening computational and data-driven research across the Department, the College of Biological Science, and the University.

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, a preferred minimum of three years of relevant postdoctoral experience or equivalent, and a record of research excellence demonstrated through high-quality scholarly contributions. Applicants must also demonstrate the potential to establish a competitive independent research program, secure external research funding, and contribute effectively to collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary, research-intensive department with approximately 40 faculty members studying diverse biological systems at levels ranging from molecules to cells. Departmental research spans Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Neuroscience and contributes to undergraduate and graduate programs across the biological sciences. The candidate will have opportunities to collaborate across the College and University and to access advanced infrastructure supporting genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, imaging, structural biology, and other high-throughput experimental approaches. Faculty within the College of Biological Science have access to the Advanced Analysis Centre, which houses state-of-the-art equipment, including facilities for solution- and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electron and confocal microscopy, and genomics.

The successful candidate must also demonstrate the potential to provide effective and innovative teaching to a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching contributions may include computational biology, bioinformatics, AI-enabled analysis of biological data, and other areas aligned with departmental needs. The candidate will also contribute to graduate training in Molecular and Cellular Biology and may participate in interdisciplinary and professional programs, including the Master of Applied Molecular and Health Sciences, Master of Biotechnology and Graduate Program in Bioinformatics.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 140,000 people, located about an hour’s drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process:

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph, you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant.

Assessment of applications will begin on December 27th, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #3064) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):

1. Cover letter (1 page) addressed to Dr. Cezar Khursigara, MCB Faculty Search Committee Chair:
   • Describe your background and interest in the position.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Proposed research program (4 pages max):
   • Detail the candidate’s specific area of expertise, describing their contributions to the field.
   • Present a vision of the short- and long-term goals of the scholarship/research activities.
   • Provide a detailed plan for their future independent research program and how this program might be leveraged to obtain extramural funding.
   • Indicate how the candidate’s research program will synergize with the Department’s research environment.
4. Teaching statement (2 pages max):
   • Describe an overall teaching philosophy.
   • Describe all previous formal and informal education training and experience and any experiences with experiential/work-integrated learning.
   • Describe potential teaching contributions to the department.
5. Diversity statement (1 page max):
   • Describe the history of advocacy and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching, scholarship/research and mentorship.
   • Describe strategies to ensure the applicant’s scholarship/research, teaching, and mentorship activities will provide equitable opportunities for students from diverse equity-seeking groups and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in their courses.
6. Contact information for three references.

APPLY ONLINE

Date Posted: 10/27/2026
Deadline: 12/27/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at [email protected].