Calling all aspiring cellular agriculture professors!

This individual - the first dedicated cellular agriculture professor in Canada - will be a key part of our work to build out cellular agriculture’s innovation infrastructure globally.

They will be working out of a facility seemingly purpose-built for cell ag: Agri-Food Discovery Place, which is equipped for cell culture, large-scale fermentation, and food science all under one roof.

It will be an incredibly unique role: this individual will be working closely alongside the University of Alberta, New Harvest and CULT Food Sciences on the OpenCellAg initiative to provide infrastructure, support, and funding opportunities for innovators and researchers creating the future of food through cellular agriculture.

Agri-Food Discovery Place, the site of the proposed institute, is one of the few facilities that is equipped for cell culture, large-scale fermentation, and food science all under one roof.

This game-changing role will provide training in cellular agriculture practices to undergraduate and graduate students and lead innovative research involving the generation of protein and food components using methods ranging from precision fermentation to tissue cell culture.

Research from this institute will inform growing policy and regulations in the food regulatory arena and develop skilled personnel to fill emerging labour needs in the sector.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Cellular Agriculture.

Cellular Agriculture is an exciting, emerging field in agriculture and food science, with an emphasis on biochemistry, synthetic biology, and precision fermentation. The candidate’s area of research is expected to focus on fundamental and applied aspects of cellular agriculture for the development of technology that contributes to the production of food and food ingredients. The candidate is expected to grow a strong and collaborative research program within the Food Science and Bioresource Technology Division in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Science within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. The program is expected to integrate traditional and novel technologies and laboratory components drawn from the fields of biochemistry, biopharmaceuticals, and synthetic biology, with the candidate expected to work effectively with new industries focused on cellular agriculture both in Alberta and across Canada.

The University of Alberta, as one of Canada’s premier research institutions, offers an excellent research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, including field and laboratory equipment, plant growth (field, greenhouse and controlled environment plant growth chambers) and tissue culture facilities, animal and crop research farms, a comprehensive range of analytical research labs, and leading-edge food safety, fermentation and food processing laboratories at Agri-Food Discovery Place. In addition, the Department houses the Agricultural Genomics and Proteomics Unit, and the Human Nutrition Research Unit.

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a closely related discipline. The candidate will be expected to teach at all levels of the curriculum, from undergraduate to graduate level courses, contribute to curriculum development and academic program planning, and to take on graduate supervision and other supervisory, service and administrative work. We are seeking an individual with an exemplary and proven record of emerging research accomplishments, a sound understanding of cell/tissue culture, microbiology, precision fermentation, cell metabolism, and protein chemistry, and the ability to develop a vibrant and growing research program as someone who is acknowledged by peers as a potential leader in their discipline. The candidate will be well-versed in the emerging global cellular agriculture research ecosystem, and will have the vision and talent essential to lead a novel, complementary and collaborative research program that transcends institutional, disciplinary, and international boundaries. Demonstrated success in grant applications will be an asset.

The successful candidate's proposed research program should ideally conform to the University’s vision and "cornerstones" outlined in the University of Alberta institutional plan “For the Public Good” document (https://www.ualberta.ca/strategic-plan/media-library/isp/final-doc/12885institutionalstrategicplan33final.pdf).

How to Apply

To apply, please follow the link below to the University of Alberta's career website. Once there, select the apply Online icon and submit the following (one attachment in PDF format - attach it in the "other" tab)

Cover letter that includes highlights of the candidate's profile and the names of three (3) referees.
To assist the University in complying with mandatory reporting requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (R203 (3)(e), please include the first digit of your Canadian Social Insurance Number at the bottom of your cover letter. If you do not have a Canadian Social Insurance Number, please indicate this at the bottom of your cover letter.
Curriculum vitae.
Research statement that outlines main areas of current research and short-term and long-term research goals. (2 pages maximum)
Teaching Dossier and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) statement. (4 pages maximum)
The teaching dossier should include a brief teaching philosophy and evidence of, or potential for, teaching effectiveness (2 pages maximum)
The EDI statement should outline the candidate's philosophy, experience, training, and future interests and goals in these areas related to research, teaching, and service. The future interest and goals section should be aligned with institutional and disciplinary strategies, including the University of Alberta's Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (https://www.ualberta.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/strategic-plan-for-edi/index.html) (2 pages maximum)

Letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interviews.

Review of applications will begin on or shortly after August 1, 2023. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

For further information on this position, or the department, please contact the Chair by email at afns-chair@ualberta.ca or visit our website at https://www.ualberta.ca/agricultural-food-nutritional-science/index.html.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway /Saulteaux / Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations, and the ways of Indigenous peoples on these lands inform and guide our learning modalities and approach to community.

University of Alberta

New Jobs

Assistant/Associate Professor, Cellular Agriculture