Description
Assistant Professor in Cell and Developmental Biology
Position description
The Department of Zoology at The University of British Columbia invites applications for an
Assistant Professor position in Cell and Developmental Biology. This is a tenure-track position,
with initial appointment to be made at the Assistant Professor level, beginning no earlier than
July 1, 2027 and a salary within the range of $135,000 - $160,000/year.
We seek an outstanding applicant with an innovative research program using cellular, genetic,
and/or genomic approaches to address fundamental mechanisms of cell or developmental
biology. Applicants studying traditional or non-traditional, emerging model systems are
encouraged to apply.
The position requires a Ph.D. degree and postdoctoral experience. The successful candidate
should also have a proven research track record (publications, acquisition of research funding,
and/or other metrics of research productivity). Responsibilities of the position include
establishing and conducting an internationally competitive and externally funded research
program, excellent teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervising graduate
students, and participating on service committees for the department, university, and
academic/scientific community. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to
equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who
are historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized.
Location description
The successful applicant will become a member of the Department of Zoology
(www.zoology.ubc.ca) and a member of the Life Sciences Institute (http://lsi.ubc.ca). The
Zoology Department includes more than 38 principal investigators and promotes integrative
research in biology. Its faculty and students pursue cutting-edge questions in Integrative and
Comparative Physiology, Evolution, Ecology, and Cell and Developmental Biology.
Specializations range from the organismal to the molecular level. The Life Sciences Institute is a
world-class, highly interactive, multidisciplinary institute, comprising over 80 labs pursuing
fundamental biological mechanisms underlying health and disease. Labs are loosely organized
into collaborative research groups, including Cell and Developmental Biology, Diabetes,
Cardiovascular, and Neuroscience, and LSI members have access to core facilities to support
work on protein structure, bioinformatics, imaging, single cell flow analytics, and more.
UBC’s campuses are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Syilx
(Okanagan) Peoples and of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the
xwmθkwy m (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:l and Slílwta/Selilwitulh
(Tsleil Waututh) Nations. UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked
among the top 20 public universities in the world. UBC embraces innovation and challenges to
the status quo. UBC is dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded
throughout the university’s academic and work life, recognizing that significant work remains to
be accomplished. As one of the world's leading universities, UBC creates an exceptional
learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society,
and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the
world.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted as a single pdf addressed to Dr. Jeffrey Richards, Head of
Zoology, at Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32408
Applications must include the following (in order):
1. Cover letter (up to 2 pages) that outlines:
Your research vision and accomplishments
How your expertise, scholarship and planned research will integrate with the
Department of Zoology and the LSI.
How you have displayed leadership through existing or proposed research,
teaching, service, community engagement, outreach, contributions to equity,
diversity and inclusion, or other relevant activities.
2. Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
3. Research Statement (up to 2 pages) describing your current and proposed research
program.
4. Teaching Statement (up to 1 page) describing teaching interests and accomplishments,
addressing how you will teach core undergraduate courses in the UBC Biology program.
5. Diversity statement (1 page) describing your lived background experience (if
comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a
diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion.
6. Up to 3 representative publications.
7. Name and contact information for 3 letters of reference
The closing date for applications is October 1, 2026.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are
essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of
voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. Inclusion is built by individual and
institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas,
and actions for a better world. We encourage applications from members of groups that have
been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief,
religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuk, or Indigenous
person. UBC acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that
legitimately affect an applicant’s record of research or educational leadership achievement. We
encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to
the impact of any circumstances, such as those due to health or family reasons, in order to
allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent
residents will be given priority. Members of historically marginalized groups including women
and non-binary candidates will be given special consideration.
If you have any needs or questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the job
application, recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit
UBC’s Center For Workplace Accessibility website at https://hr.ubc.ca/health-andwellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility or contact the Centre at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all
members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible
process for all candidates (including but not limited to disabled people). Confidential
accommodations are available on request by contacting Manager, HR Services, Department of
Zoology by email at zoology.hr@ubc.ca
