Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader Professor - Plant Biology

General information

The Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Université Laval invites applications for a tenure-track position in plant biology, specializing in the field of plant physiology or ecophysiology, in line with the strategic priority area “Environment, climate resilience and the Arctic” under the Impact+ Canada Emerging Leaders Competition, linked to the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada Resilience North.

The Department of Biology at Université Laval is an ideal place for training and research in fundamental fields of biology, from cellular and molecular biology to genomics, physiology, and animal, marine, freshwater, and plant ecology, as well as conservation and evolution. The Department currently has an enrollment of 435 undergraduate students, 135 graduate students in Masters and PhD programs, and 22 professors. The Department is a leader in northern research, with recognized centers of excellence in non-human genomics, ecology and evolution, and oceanography. This research is supported by major infrastructure at Université Laval, including the new scientific complex Institut nordique du Québec, the Institute of Integrative Biology and Systems, Québec Ocean, NGCC Amundsen research icebreaker and 11 research stations in Nunavik and Nunavut under the stewardship of the Centre for Northern Studies.

Université Laval is driven by a deep-rooted culture of sustainable development. It educates generations of committed and creative students who become leading citizens, scientists, and influential leaders. The total student enrollment stands at 55,000 with 1,700 professors. Open to the world and a leader among major French-speaking universities, Université Laval strives for excellence in teaching and research. Its clear ambition is to conduct inclusive, connected, and sustainable research for the benefit of local communities and the planet. According to the Times Higher Education 2024 Impact Ranking, based on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Université Laval ranks 19th in the world and first among French-speaking universities. Université Laval is also the top Canadian university and one of the top international universities in the field of Arctic and subarctic sciences. Université Laval inspires its partners by uniting the forces of change and is at the heart of Quebec City’s vibrant academic community. It was therefore named the best employer in Canada, according to the Forbes.

Impact+ Emergent Leader

This recruitment is part of the Impact+ Canada Emerging Leaders Competition, linked to the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada Resilience North held at Université Laval by Professor Martin Solan. This program enables Université Laval to attract more early-career researchers (ECR) based abroad (working and residing outside Canada) to Canada.

Resilience North addresses the challenges within the strategic priority area of “environment, climate resilience and the Arctic”. The Canadian North faces rapid alterations from climate change and industrial expansion, threatening ecosystem health and the prosperity of current and future generations. Resilient North is a pioneering research program that bridges the gap between observation and community action by moving away from simply describing change to predicting it with certainty. Its approach combines multi-generational Inuit wisdom with advanced technology—like artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics and mobile containerized laboratories—to quantify the mechanics of nature. Specifically, we will measure how energy and nutrients move through the sea, ice, and land all year round to observe how climate and human pressures disrupt biodiversity-mediated functioning. Experiments in simulated future environments allow us to test the effect of anticipated changes, such as warming and pollution, before they occur in the real world, providing a vital window to adjust management strategies and adaptation plans. Crucially, this research is anchored within a sovereign intelligence framework to ensure that all data—from robotic sensors to traditional knowledge—is governed by Indigenous-led protocols, providing a structural guarantee for local data ownership and decision-making. This framework positions Canada as a global leader in ethical, high-tech ecology, offering a scalable model for other circumpolar nations.

The successful candidate will receive

• A tenure-track professor position at the Department of biology, Faculty of science and engineering, Université Laval.
• Competitive salary package.
• $100,000 per year Emerging Leaders award over six years from Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada.
• Extension of the Emerging Leaders award for an additional six years, at the same yearly amount, will be contingent on confirming the person recruited as an ECR has progressed in their academic career and demonstrates the research conducted since the recruitment has been transformational, translational and has garnered partners.
• State-of-the-art laboratories in the INQ’s new science complex, including laboratories for simulating cold conditions and a logistics center for mission preparation.
• Competitive and attractive start-up funds.
  

Job Description

• Tenure-track professor position in plan biology, with specialization in plan physiology of ecophysiology;
• Development of an original and ambitious research program related to plant biology, with specialization in the field of plant physiology or ecophysiology, and linked to the strategic priority area “Environment, climate resilience and the Arctic” (see Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders competition);
• Teaching and supervising students at all three levels of university study in plant biology;
• Participating in the teaching and administrative activities of the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Science and Engineering;
• Participating in external academic activities that contribute to the outreach of the Department, Faculty and University.
  
  

Requirements

• Université Laval requires that candidates hold a Ph.D. in biological sciences or a relevant discipline related to the position description;
• The candidates must be early-career researchers (ECR) internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) when the Research Chair was accepted (1 July 2026). Postdoctoral researchers are regarded as ECR;
• Be available to start their position at the Université Laval, on a full-time basis, on July 1, 2027
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Selection criterias

• A proven or potential ability to independently develop original and ambitious research related to plant biology, with specialization in the field of plant physiology or ecophysiology, and linked to the strategic priority area “Environment, climate resilience and the Arctic” particularly through
• The quality, impact, and influence of publications, peer-reviewed conferences, and other scientific contributions in the field.
• A proven or potential aptitude for university teaching at all three levels in plant biology, for supervising postgraduate students, and a commitment to pedagogical innovation.
• Potential or demonstrated commitment to scientific and academic community service.
• The ability to communicate and integrate into the institution’s French-speaking environment within 2 years.
• Demonstrated ability to provide benevolent leadership to multidisciplinary research teams, including potential to develop trusted relationships with Nordic partners.
• Professional potential commensurate with the key skills required for the position
• Analysis, synthesis, and judgment.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills and openness.
• Ability to work in a team and with partners.
• Autonomy and sense of responsibility.
• Sense of ethics and duty.
• Supervision of people.
  

The selection committee is composed of professors from the Department of Biology, Faculty of science and engineering, Université Laval. In addition, an equity officer will take part in the committee meetings to ensure the conformity of the evaluation process. All committee members receive clear instructions on their role, the expected definition of excellence as well as on the impact of career interruptions and special circumstances in the evaluation of applications. Members must also complete unconscious bias training in peer review.

Candidature

Application deadline December 4, 2026

Job starting date July 1, 2027

Interested candidates should submit a complete application at https //recrutement.powerappsportals.com/en-US/. The complete application file includes

• A letter of intent of no more than two pages.
• A curriculum vitae in free format.
• Names and email addresses of three people who can provide references and comment on the candidate’s application in relation to the evaluation criteria mentioned below.
• A detailed document outlining the teaching philosophy and research proposal (maximum 4 pages), including
• The focus of the research work to ensure it falls within the strategic priority area of “environment, climate resilience and the Arctic” and is transformative, translational and capable of engaging Nordic partners;
• A description of how the most relevant contributions add to the field of plant physiology or ecophysiology (maximum 1 page);
• A self-identification form.
  

Contacts

Call for application process

Jean-Pierre Tremblay

Head of the Department of Biology

Faculté des sciences et de génie

[email protected]

Questions related to EDI principles

Marie-José Naud

Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research

Office of the Vice Rector, Research and Innovation

[email protected]

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

Université Laval rejects all forms of discrimination, promotes excellence in research and research training, and guarantees equal opportunity for all candidates. We support the principle that excellence and equity are compatible and complementary. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized people, visible minorities, women, Indigenous Peoples (in Canada), people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all qualified individuals with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

By choosing Université Laval, you will benefit from the following integration measures

• Welcome days for new professors.
• Free French courses for you and your spouse.
• Support for relocating to Quebec City and job search assistance for your spouse.
  
  

Career Interruption and Special Circumstances

Université Laval acknowledges that career interruption and special circumstances (e.g., maternity or parental leave, leave for prolonged illness, clinical training, care for a family member, the COVID-19 pandemic) as well as disability may influence productivity and contributions to research. Applicants are invited to explain any such career interruptions if they wish; any information provided will be considered and taken into consideration in the assessment of their applications.

Accommodation

In complete confidentiality, accommodation can be offered to candidates according to their needs, including accessibility. If needed, we invite candidates to contact the equity officer using contact information below.

Marie-José Naud

Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research

[email protected]

Workplace

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Department of Biology

Numéro d'offre 18190

Job posting period Du 28-10-2026 au 04-12-2026