The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science seeks applications from outstanding scientists for an NSERC Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Plant Synthetic Biology.
Consistent with the gender equity goals of the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Department of Biological Sciences, this position is targeted to individuals who self-identify as women. The successful candidate will apply molecular and/or genetic engineering approaches to enhance crop value, select or develop new strains/products, and/or address environmental concerns. The ideal candidate will be interested in developing collaborations with local Niagara agricultural industries and taking advantage of existing research and development support through Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and the Brock–Niagara Validation, Prototyping, and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI). There will be opportunities to collaborate with plant biologists in Biological Sciences as well as colleagues in the departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, and elsewhere. Brock University is located a short drive from a cluster of research universities in southern Ontario.
The home department of Biological Sciences is a dynamic department within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (see brocku.ca/mathematics- science/biology/). The department enjoys large and growing undergraduate and graduate student populations as well as active, diverse, and collaborative research faculty. Biological Sciences offers BSc, MSc, and PhD programs in Biological Sciences and in Biotechnology. Cross-appointments to other departments are also possible, including contributing to graduate programs currently being developed in the new Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering.
The candidate’s laboratories are expected to be in the Cairns’ Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which includes a 2,500 square foot shared main wet lab with 600 square feet of shared HQP office space. There is an adjacent 2,000 square foot phytotron and an additional 1,000 square feet of ancillary research space that houses plant tissue culture facilities. Additional laboratory space may also be available as needed. Mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing capabilities are available on campus.
