CRC Tier 2 Position in Medicinal Chemistry for Neuroscience

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Position Profile: The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, jointly with the Department of
Physiology and Pharmacology, (SSMD) at Western University invites applications for a full-time probationary (tenure track) faculty position
in Medicinal Chemistry, at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is part of a larger initiative by
Western University to build a cross-Faculty, world-class program in molecular biotherapeutics and
diagnostics that spans the continuum from discovery to first-in-human trials. Successful candidates will
join recent faculty hires across multiple departments, with expertise in bioinformatics, biotherapeutics,
imaging, inflammation, and public and Indigenous health.
We seek a medicinal chemist working in the field of small molecules directed at the understanding and/or
treatment of neurological illness. The research field is broadly stated as synthetic organic chemistry, with
emphasis on medicinal chemistry and chemical biology themes related to neuroscience. The candidate is
expected to develop an internationally recognized research program in the design, synthesis and
evaluation of molecules, targeting pathways for translational neurological research.
In accordance with the regulations set for Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca),
Tier 2 chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have less than 10
years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination). 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; please contact Research Development
at Western University at [email protected] for more information. Please
consult the Canada Research Chair website for full information, including further details on eligibility
criteria at http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ .
Western recognizes that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s
mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning. As a community leader we understand that
our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization are mutually supporting and contribute
to our pursuit of research excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our
commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives.
Academic Requirements: The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to contribute to the
teaching excellence of the institution in areas of interest to the Departments of Chemistry and Physiology
and Pharmacology including synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels which may be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments and
teaching statement. Evidence of impactful contributions to teaching, mentorship and leadership activities
related to teaching can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience
leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or
posters. Candidates having demonstrated experience in research training of undergraduate and
graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows is expected. Candidates must provide evidence of
excellence in research, including a record of publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals,
forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, presentations at field-relevant
conferences, awards, and strong endorsements from referees of top international stature.
The successful candidate will be expected to mount independent and innovative research, outlined in the
submitted research statement, and to establish a competitive, and externally funded research program
with multisectoral organizations.
Qualifications or Experience and Skills Required: Candidates must have a PhD degree in Chemistry,
Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or related field with a demonstrated record of excellence in research.
Additional experience as a postdoctoral researcher or equivalent is required.
Compensation Details: The salary for this position will be $120,000 to $150,000 annually,
commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position includes a comprehensive benefits
package. Further details can be accessed at: http://www.uwo.ca/hr/benefits/your_benefits/faculty.html.
Affirmation Policy Statement: Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving
beyond sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in its hiring processes. This is to safeguard
against the use of incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in circumstances in which a candidate
has made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership. Candidates who are invited for an
interview or who are short-listed, and who have made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or
membership for material advantage at Western, including where required or preferred for the position, will
be asked to have their declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership affirmed through a relational
accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous
ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation
processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 – Affirming Declarations
of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University.
Departments: The Department of Chemistry (https://www.uwo.ca/chem/) is a research-intensive
department in Western’s Faculty of Science (https://www.uwo.ca/sci/), with large undergraduate and
graduate programs. The Department is home to approximately 30 faculty, including 10 current or former
Canada Research Chairs and Industrial Research Chairs. Chemistry at Western has core research
strengths in molecular and macromolecular materials, as well as surface and interfacial chemistry and
materials degradation. The Department of Chemistry has comprehensive in-house core infrastructure
including professionally managed modern NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction
facilities. Western researchers also have access to the BioCORE facility
(https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/biocore/) to support research in the area of biochemistry.
The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/physpharm/) Schulich
School of Medicine and Dentistry (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca) is the largest basic science Department
in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The Department is heavily engaged in basic,
translational, and clinical research with strong impacts demonstrated at the national and international
levels. Researchers will have access to recent, professionally managed, major on-site infrastructure
investments in multimodal and single-cell imaging, translational neuroimaging, high-throughput
metabolomics, proteomics and genomics, pre-clinical biotherapeutic production, animal facilities, CL2
and 3 facilities, and GMP production. It is anticipated that successful candidates will participate in this
initiative by providing their critical expertise in this continuum, and contribute to large-scale funding
proposals, by working closely with clinician-scientists, basic scientists and facility directors to advance
these research priorities.
The University: As part of our commitment to research excellence and future looking priorities, Western
is embarking on a bold plan to erect a state-of-the-art 300k ft2 Bioconvergence Building, featuring key
core facilities necessary for the development of biotherapeutics. Research labs in this building will be
highly collaborative, with integrated wet and dry experimentalists, and data driven research groups.
Candidates will have an outstanding opportunity to engage in multi- or transdisciplinary research projects
as part of the bioconvergence cohort.
With annual research funding exceeding $220 million, and an international reputation for success,
Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries,
a wide range of employment opportunities. The university campus is located in London Ontario, has a
full-time enrollment of about 34,000 students in a thriving city of approximately 530,000, located midway
between Toronto and Detroit. With parks, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is
known as the “Forest City” (https://www.ledc.com/why-london).
Application Process: Interested applicants should submit a complete application package electronically
as one pdf file, that includes (in the indicated order):
1) A completed Application for Full-Time Faculty Position Form (available at
https://www.uwo.ca//facultyrelations/pdf/full-time-application-form.pdf),
2) A cover letter addressing how your expertise and proposed research fit this position,
3) An up-to-date curriculum vitae,
4) A description of research interests and plan (maximum of 4 pages plus references),
including possible funding sources and EDI plan, where applicable,
5) A teaching and mentoring statement including how you will contribute to an equitable,
diverse and inclusive (EDI) academic environment (maximum of 2 pages). Provide evidence of
excellence in teaching and mentorship.
6) Provide evidence of excellence in leadership and potential to reach international
recognition within 5 -10 years.
7) Contact details of at least three professionals who can provide letters of support upon
request.
The application package can be sent to:
Chair of the Search Committee
Department of Chemistry
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
Email: [email protected]

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