Assistant Professor - Computational Biology and Data Science

Assistant Professor - Computational Biology and Data Science

Date Posted: 02/18/2026
Closing Date: 04/20/2026, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 44368
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: University of Toronto Scarborough
Department: University of Toronto Scarborough: Department of Biological Sciences
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a full-time, tenure stream position in Computational Biology and Data Science applied to Biological Systems and Biomedical Sciences. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. In order to address systemic barriers and increase diversity in the Canada Research Chairs Program and meet government-mandated requirements, selection will be limited to candidates who identify as members of one or more of the four federally-designated groups: women and gender minorities (those who identify as women, trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender fluid, based on the gender identity that best describes applicants at the current time), racialized persons/visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities. This recruitment process follows the provisions for special programs as described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. This strategic recruitment is an essential component of the University’s efforts to fulfill the commitments in our institutional Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan and to address the persistent under-representation of the four federally-designated groups among our cohort of Chairs. All applicants are required to self-identify as a member of one or more of the four federally-designated groups in their cover letter.

For CRC nomination eligibility, the nominee’s research area must align with the subject matter eligibility of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), must hold an active CRC-relevant tri-agency grant (e.g., CIHR Project Grant) and/or be actively applying for tri-agency funding.

Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. To meet the criteria of the program, nominees must be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to 10 years; as Chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality. Nominees should be within ten years of receiving their PhD. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process.

Applicants must have earned a PhD degree in biology, biomedical sciences, computational biology, AI/machine learning, bioinformatics, or a related area to the subject matter of this search by the time of appointment and a minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral training in academia or industry, with a clearly demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. The Department of Biological Sciences is an international leader in biological research and education leveraging strong ties to other units within the University of Toronto, as well as strong connections with the new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) and the Scarborough Health Network (SHN). We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths.

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue interdisciplinary, innovative, and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program that innovates real world healthcare solutions by employing data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approaches, Integrating our department’s strengths in basic biology, and the Scarborough Health Network’s (SHN) excellence in clinical research. Excitingly, through the partnership with the SHN, this position will offer access to data repositories, including data from rare disease cohorts that is not available elsewhere, offering the opportunities to be at the centre of clinical breakthroughs.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence of an internationally competitive caliber, which can be demonstrated by a record of publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals or forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and strong endorsements by referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated by teaching accomplishments, and the teaching dossier, including a teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations or other evidence of superior performance in teaching-related activities submitted as part of the application, as well as strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We seek candidates who value diversity and whose research, teaching and service bear out our commitment to equity. Candidates must also show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and to the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as demonstrated through the application materials. Candidates are therefore also asked to submit a 1‐ to 2- page statement of contributions to equity and diversity, which might cover topics such as (but not limited to): research or teaching that incorporates a focus on underrepresented communities, the development of inclusive pedagogies, or the mentoring of students from underrepresented groups.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a comprehensive undergraduate biology curriculum delivered through innovative teaching practices that covers diverse teaching areas, from molecular to conservation biology. Our mission is to increase the fundamental understanding of the natural world, while ensuring these insights have positive impacts on sustainability and population health, and we are committed to creating a diverse welcoming scientific community where everyone feels safe, comfortable participating, and has the necessary support to thrive. This position will be central in fulfilling our mission.

The successful candidate will undertake undergraduate and graduate teaching responsibilities on the University’s UTSC campus. The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community of world-class scholars at Canada’s leading university. The University of Toronto offers a wide range of opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, the excitement of working with a highly diverse student population and actively encourages innovative scholarship. The Greater Toronto Area offers amazing cultural and demographic diversity and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Please visit our home page for more information about the Department of Biological Sciences.

The successful candidate will have a graduate appointment and is expected to participate actively in the Graduate Department of Cell and Systems Biology, to maintain an active research program centred at UTSC and integrated to the SHN, and to foster and facilitate inclusivity while working at one of Canada’s more diverse institutions. At UTSC, the new faculty member will have access to several core research facilities including the Vivarium and the Centre for Microscopy and Bioanalysis in the Department of Biological Sciences, and the state-of-the-art analytical facility TRACES (the Technology ResearchAnalytical Centre for Environmental Sciences). The new faculty will also have access to the Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function in the Department of Cell and System Biology and to the University of Toronto SciNet, which provides high performance computing resources to the U of T research community.

The salary range is $138,000 to $153,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae (maximum of four pages); a two-page research statement outlining current and future research interests; samples of peer-reviewed publications; and a teaching dossier, including a two-page statement of teaching philosophy, teaching evaluations, sample course materials, or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above; as well as an EDI statement as described above.

Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours of an application being submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that references submit letters (on letterhead, dated, and signed) by the closing date. More details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ.

Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have questions about this position, please contact the Chair’s Assistant, Vanessa Melo, at chairadminbio.utsc@utoronto.ca.

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by April 20, 2026.

The University recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Search committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We encourage applications from eligible individuals who also identify as Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible, and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact: uoft.careers@utoronto.ca

The Canada Research Chairs Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, following the program’s best practices. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

For further information on the federally endowed Canada Research Chairs Program, open to all nationalities, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website. For more information about the CRC nomination process at the University of Toronto, contact Judith Chadwick, Assistant Vice-President, Research Services, at crc@utoronto.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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