Description

Assistant Professor (Cancer)

Location:  Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page:  Faculty, Librarian and Veterinarian

Division:  College of Biological Science

Requisition ID:  1860

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor (Cancer) 
Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology 

Position Description:
The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Cancer Immunology.

We seek outstanding candidates whose research program investigates fundamental and translational questions in cancer immunology, with a focus on how immune mechanisms shape tumour development, progression, and therapeutic response. Applicants may study tumour–immune interactions, immune evasion, myeloid or lymphoid cell function in cancer, immune modulation and signalling within the tumour microenvironment, or mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapies. Approaches may span molecular, cellular, organismal, or systems-level immunology, including in vivo models, advanced imaging, single-cell or multi-omics methods, or computational immunology.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program that advances the understanding of immune mechanisms in cancer and contributes to the development of next-generation diagnostic or immunomodulatory strategies. We particularly welcome candidates whose work creates new collaborative opportunities with existing strengths in immunology, neuroscience, infection and inflammation, molecular and cellular biology, and therapeutic design within the Department and across the College of Biological Science.

Qualifications include a Ph.D., a preferred minimum of three years of relevant postdoctoral experience (or equivalent), a proven record of research excellence evident in high-quality publications, and demonstrated potential to establish a competitive independent research program and secure external research funding. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary, research-intensive department with 40 faculty members whose research spans Immunology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Microbiology, and who contribute to programs in Biological Science and Biomedical Science. Within this environment, the department has growing strengths in host–pathogen interactions, immune regulation, molecular oncology, and inflammation biology; areas that offer clear opportunities for collaboration for a cancer immunology researcher. Faculty within the College of Biological Sciences have access to the Advanced Analysis Centre, which houses state-of-the-art facilities including mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, electron and confocal microscopy, genomics, and imaging platforms that support cutting-edge cancer, immune, and cell biology research. The candidate will also have access to shared biophysical, molecular and animal facilities and infrastructure, including super-resolution imaging systems, that enable mechanistic studies of immune-tumour interactions.

Graduate student training activities are focused on M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Molecular and Cellular Biology, but faculty also contribute to interdisciplinary programs such as Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, Plant Science, and Toxicology. Trainees in the cancer immunology area will be well-positioned to engage with colleagues across CBS and partner units involved in immunology, cancer, infection biology, and translational biomedical research.

The successful candidate must also demonstrate the potential to provide practical, innovative teaching in molecular and cell biology and immunology to a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territories 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 approximately 140,000 people located about an hour’s drive west of Toronto, Ontario. The University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrollment of about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 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: ToImprove 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 on February 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #1860) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):

1.    Cover letter (1 page) addressed to Dr. Cezar Khursigara, MCB Faculty Search Committee Chair:

o    Describe your background and interest in the position.

2.    A curriculum vitae.

3.    Proposed research program (4 pages max):

o  Detail the candidate’s specific area of expertise, describing their contributions to the field. 

o  Present a vision of the short and long-term goals of the scholarship/research activities.

o  Provide a detailed plan for their future independent research program and how this program might be leveraged to obtain extramural funding. 

o  Indicate how the candidate’s research program will synergize with the Department’s research environment. 

Teaching statement (2 pages max):
o  Describe an overall teaching philosophy.

o  Describe all previous formal and informal education training and experience and any experiences with experiential/work-integrated learning.

o  Describe potential teaching contributions to the department.

Diversity statement (1 page max):
o  Describe the history of advocacy and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching, scholarship/research and mentorship.

o  Describe strategies to ensure the applicant’s scholarship/research, teaching, and mentorship activities will provide equitable opportunities for students from diverse equity-seeking groups and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in their courses.

Contact information of three references.

Date Posted: 12/18/2025
Deadline: 01/15/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

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 Laleh Hatefi at lhatefi@uoguelph.ca.

Requirements

Qualifications include a Ph.D., a preferred minimum of three years of relevant postdoctoral experience (or equivalent), a proven record of research excellence evident in high-quality publications, and demonstrated potential to establish a competitive independent research program and secure external research funding. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary, research-intensive department with 40 faculty members whose research spans Immunology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Microbiology, and who contribute to programs in Biological Science and Biomedical Science. Within this environment, the department has growing strengths in host–pathogen interactions, immune regulation, molecular oncology, and inflammation biology; areas that offer clear opportunities for collaboration for a cancer immunology researcher. Faculty within the College of Biological Sciences have access to the Advanced Analysis Centre, which houses state-of-the-art facilities including mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, electron and confocal microscopy, genomics, and imaging platforms that support cutting-edge cancer, immune, and cell biology research. The candidate will also have access to shared biophysical, molecular and animal facilities and infrastructure, including super-resolution imaging systems, that enable mechanistic studies of immune-tumour interactions.