Assistant Professor (cryo-EM) Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology

Assistant Professor

Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology

Applications are invited from qualified individuals for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the College of Medicine’s (CoM) Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology.

We are searching for individuals with the potential to establish a vibrant, externally funded research program in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We welcome applications from candidates whose research focuses on any area of cryo-EM and complements or expands the department’s existing strengths in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and related disciplines. There is also an opportunity to participate in structure‑guided, translational research in collaboration with the CoM’s Department of Oncology, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA)

and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). The successful candidate will also show a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching. The University of Saskatchewan is home to a 200 kV Thermo Fisher Glacios cryo-electron microscope with Falcon III and K2 direct electron detectors. A 120 kV Hitachi HT7700 is available at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for sample screening by negative stain. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing cryo-EM research on campus while helping to build a vibrant and collaborative cryo-EM research community at the University of Saskatchewan.

The department has several areas of research strength encompassing immunology, bacteriology, virology, biochemistry of cancer, protein science, and biology of metals. Further collaborative opportunities in cancer genomics, cancer biology, neuroscience, cell physiology, and with clinicians are available in the CoM and SCA. Specific research areas of BMI faculty can be viewed here: https://medicine.usask.ca/bmi/ and from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Department of Oncology can be viewed here: https://saskcancer.ca/research/cancer-research-department and https://medicine.usask.ca/profiles/oncology-saskatoon/index.php.

The department benefits from having the Canadian Light Source situated on our campus, and the department has strong affiliations with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The Health Sciences Building houses the Protein Characterization and Crystallization Facility (PCCF) that supports protein purification as well as a wide range of biophysical methods to study protein interactions, including crystallization and X-ray crystallography https://pccf.usask.ca/. In addition, the College of Medicine has a mass spectrometry laboratory for omics research (https://cchsa-ccssma.usask.ca/facilities_and_laboratories/omics-laboratory.php).

The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is in Saskatoon, SK, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 26,000.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD degree in a related field, post-doctoral experience with cryo-EM data collection/processing and a demonstrated ability to conduct original, innovative research. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and show an interest in fostering collaborations with faculty members in the department and elsewhere on campus.

The starting salary bands for the 2027-2028 academic year are as follows:

Assistant Professor: $113,527 to $135,535; Associate Professor: $135,535 to $157,543; and

Professor $157,543 to $183,219 with a higher starting salary in rare and exceptional circumstances

pursuant to Article 18.2.6.12 of the 2023-2027 USFA Collective Agreement.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and

extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic

long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance

program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending

program.

Interested candidates must submit via email a cover letter that includes a brief statement of research

interests, a detailed curriculum vitae, a 5-year research plan (max. 3 pages), a teaching statement

including teaching areas of interest (1 page), and contact information for three references. For

information related to equity, diversity and inclusion please see our webpage:

https://medicine.usask.ca/about-us/edi.php. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please send your complete application package to:

Department Head and Chair of the Search Committee

Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology

107 Wiggins Road, Rm GA20.12

Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 5E5

Telephone: (306) 966-4375

Email: bmiadmin@usask.ca

Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this

position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

Candidates may be asked to provide proof of citizenship, residency or work eligibility.

Applications will be accepted until January 8, 2027. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we are proud to

support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are

dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All

qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian

immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We

are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you

require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will

work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with

Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique

perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of

Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by

the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in

accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert

Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of

Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main

campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to

the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.

Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of

Saskatchewan.