Assistant Professor in Waterborne Disease Modelling

Position Title / Rank:Assistant Professor in Waterborne Disease Modelling
Department: Environmental Sciences

Position Description:

The School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. The applicant will specialize in modelling of waterborne disease and/or its transmission. This forms part of a cluster hire and the successful candidate will codevelop an internationally recognized research program on the surveillance and control of waterborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). There are exciting opportunities for collaboration within SES (e.g. research strengths exist in environmental microbiology, wastewater surveillance and water quality modelling) and many departments at UoG. The candidate will help to develop and teach courses in the area of water and environmental systems at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The willingness to work collaboratively and to mentor students from a range of disciplines, cultures, and academic backgrounds is essential.

The candidate must hold a PhD in Engineering (Civil or Environmental), Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Applied Mathematics or a related field and a preferred minimum of three years post-doctoral experience. The candidate must have a skills necessary for research excellence and impact in computational modelling of pathogens in water systems, human health risk assessments, climate change impacts on waterborne disease transmission, or the development of decision support tools and models for public health intervention to control pathogens or AMR risk. The candidate will have demonstrated potential to: collectively establish an internationally recognised research program; align with the strategic direction of the university (https://www.uoguelph.ca/president/strategic-plan/) and align with the CERC on Waterborne Pathogens (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/index-eng.aspx); attract, develop and retain excellent trainees/students/researchers; lead a team which commits to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in water and environmental sciences; and, provide service to SES, UoG and the wider community.

The School of Environmental Sciences is a collegial, inclusive, and welcoming environment that values diversity and wellness among our members as key ingredients in our collective success. The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now 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 over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 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. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

Assessment of applications will begin April 7, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #2132) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):

(1) a cover letter outlining how the applicant is suited to the position;
(2) a curriculum vitae;
(3) a vision statement for teaching (max. 2 pages), (4) a vision statement for research (max. 2 pages),
(5) an EDI statement to describe the strategies that you will use to foster inclusion and support a diverse community in your research program and classrooms (max. 1 page)
(6) contact details for three referees.

Applications should be sent to the attention of:

Prof. David McCarthy
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Waterborne Pathogens
School of Environmental Sciences University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Questions about this position may be directed to David McCarthy at [email protected]. All applications must be submitted online through the careers hiring portal.

Date Posted: 02/06/2026
Deadline: 04/07/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

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].