Canada Research Chair, Tier 1 in Translational Biotherapeutics

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) invite applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Translational Biotherapeutics. The successful candidate will be a Scientist or Senior Scientist at the OHRI and hold an academic appointment with the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine. The OHRI is one of the foremost Canadian hospital-based research institutes, and one of Canada’s top centres for cancer research.  Our research focuses on translating discovery and knowledge into better health. The Faculty of Medicine is the first and largest bilingual medical faculty in Canada, consisting of over 2,400 faculty members, including clinicians and researchers. It is one of uOttawa’s largest and most research-intensive faculties, which focuses on advancing, developing, and delivering cutting-edge patient care, medical research, and high-quality education to prepare future generations of academic researchers and healthcare professionals.

The successful candidate will be joining the OHRI/uOttawa at an exciting time when several collaborative initiatives and large-scale infrastructure projects are underway to significantly expand support for translational research. These include the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP₂H), uOttawa’new Advanced Medical Research Centre, which will house the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, and The Ottawa Hospital’s state-of-the-art new campus, which will be the most advanced hospital in Canada and a major centre for research and innovation. The new campus will be the home of the OHRI’s expanded Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC).

We are interested in attracting an internationally recognized leader in translational research with interests in the development of biotherapeutics for cancer (including immunotherapy), regenerative medicine, and/or infectious disease. The Chair’s mandate will be aligned with the OHRI/uOttawa vision of rapidly moving fundamental scientific discoveries into clinical application. They will take knowledge of new insights into disease mechanisms or new therapeutic targets and apply it to the development of treatments that can be tested in humans. The Chair is expected to focus on bridging the gap between discovery and clinical use, ensuring that novel therapies are safe and effective for human patients. They should have an understanding and appreciation of the continuum of activities (including preclinical research, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and clinical trials) that are needed to bring innovative discoveries to the marketplace. The selected candidate will have a track record of scientific leadership, which has been demonstrated by acquiring large-scale grants and catalyzing collaboration among scientists, clinicians, regulatory experts, and industrial partners.

Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable once, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. For each Tier 1 Chair, the institution receives $200,000 annually for seven years. In addition to the government’s contribution, the uOttawa/OHRI will also provide the successful candidate with a competitive start-up package. Nominees for Tier 1 Chair positions must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. New CRC nominees are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.

Preferential Hiring:  
The OHRI/uOttawa are committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our institutions. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from skilled and experienced members of the four designated groups such as Indigenous peoples, individuals who are racialized, persons living with disabilities, women and gender equity-seeking groups as defined in the CRC Program method for establishing equity targets and the Employment Equity Act, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively implement equity measures that ensure and retain diverse teams and promote inclusive practices for research team members. As part of this preferential hiring process, applications from members of the four designated groups will be prioritized and assessed first for the vacancy. The purpose of this measure is to increase the representation and contribution of members of the four designated groups in the allocation of Canada Research Chair positions. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential self-identification questionnaire during the application process online.  Internal candidates are not eligible.

Skills requirements:  

• Education: PhD and/or MD in a relevant field.
• Required Qualifications: Superior research achievements in the CRC’s identified area(s) and proof of interdisciplinary collaborations, a solid record with respect to teaching and training of students at the graduate level, the ability to obtain external research funds, excellent communication skills. Bilingualism is an asset.

Rank and salary:
Appointment as a Scientist or Senior Scientist at the OHRI, commensurate with the career stage and track record of the successful candidate. Academic appointment in the Faculty of Medicine, in a department most in line with area of expertise. Academic rank will be at the Associate or Full Professor level and also commensurate with the career stage and track record of the successful candidate. A competitive start-up package will be provided.

Benefits package: The OHRI provides a complete benefits package, which includes health and dental benefits, long term disability, life insurance, participation in the Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), as well as relocation expenses.

Location of work:  The Ottawa Hospital General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6

Application Package:

• A cover letter;
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (please include any personal circumstances and/or career interruptions such as parental or sick leaves that may have impacted your research trajectory. These will be taken into consideration in the selection process);
• A research plan (2 to 3 pages);
• A statement of teaching interests (1 to 2 pages);
• A statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion philosophy and concrete practices (1 page);
• The names of three people who may be contacted by the Hiring Committee for letters of reference which will follow the Canada Research Chairs guidelines (i.e., all must be arm’s length, and one must be from a referee not residing in the country where the nominee is currently working); and
• Self-identification: Complete the confidential Employment Equity questionnaire online during the application process.

Deadline: February 15, 2025

Applications should be submitted electronically through the University of Ottawa Academic Careers website at the following link: https://uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/uOttawa_External_Career_Site/job/Ottawa-ON/Tier-1-Canada-Research-Chair-in-Translational-Biotherapeutics_JR20144

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please address your cover letter to the following person:

Dr. Julie St-Pierre, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation
University of Ottawa
550 Cumberland St., room 246
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA

For questions, please email: [email protected]

We will provide accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.

In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.