Assistant Professor in Health Sciences

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The Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) within the College of Biological Science at the University of Guelph is seeking a dynamic and innovative educational leader for a tenure-track teaching-focused position at the Assistant Professor level in the broad area of health and/or biomedical sciences. The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing and delivering curriculum within a collaborative, Course-Based Masters (CBM) program in Medical Foundations, a first program of its kind in Canada. While the anticipated start date for this appointment is July 1, 2025, to provide sufficient time for program creation before the inaugural enrolment in May 2026, alternative mutually agreed-upon dates within 2025 will be considered as required.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D in an area consistent with the fields of health sciences, biomedical sciences or lifestyle medicine, with demonstrated potential for effective teaching in a wide range of courses, as outlined below. Experience with problem-based learning, experiential learning, clinical or medical education and/or healthcare professions would be considered assets given the candidate’s essential role within the Medical Foundations CBM program.

The successful candidate for this teaching-focused position will be expected to deliver at least 4 courses/year in human biology-related fields, such as anatomy, neurophysiology, integrative physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis of disease and lifestyle medicine. While teaching within the graduate program will represent a major focus of this position, teaching undergraduate courses within the Honours BSc program (including students in the Nutrition and Nutraceutical Sciences, Human Kinetics and Biomedical Sciences programs) at the University of Guelph and senior courses in the BASc program in Kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber will be expected. The current position will have a larger service component associated with graduate program coordination, advising and mentorship of graduate students within the Medical Foundations CBM program and developing problem-based and experiential learning initiatives within the program. The applicant must also demonstrate a commitment to supporting scholarship/research within the Department. 

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary department with ~28 faculty and an excellent record of research in human health, exercise, nutrition, metabolism, biomechanics and physiology and an established cadaveric Human Anatomy program (https://www.uoguelph.ca/hhns/human-anatomy/). In addition to teaching and learning, faculty and staff employ a wide range of techniques and methodologies at multiple levels of biological organization to advance the fields of human health and nutritional sciences.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory 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 hiringnearme.org It Comes into View (https://indigenous.uoguelph.ca/strategy), the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

In the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences and the College of Biological Science, we value diversity and inclusivity because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, complex problem solving, and the creation of a modern, representative academic community. The Department is committed to developing and maintaining a culture that is positive, collegial, and respectful of all members, and in which wellness and healthy work-life balance are valued. To develop an inclusive and vibrant departmental culture, the Department maintains standing committees focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellness and has developed specific recommendations for faculty hiring (https://www.uoguelph.ca/hhns/about/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/) that incorporate these important issues. Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science’s EDI statement (https://www.uoguelph.ca/ib/about/edi-statement/).

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 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: To Improve 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)

The assessment of applications will begin on April 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on careers.uoguelph.ca and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID # 1221) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file): 

(1) cover letter
(2) curriculum vitae 
(3) teaching statement  (4) scholarship/research statement 
(5) diversity statement 
(6) names and contact information of three references

The teaching statement (2 pages max) should describe your overall teaching philosophy and experience related to the position. If possible, provide specific examples of teaching strategies, such as problem-based learning, that you have effectively incorporated in previous courses, and a description of any past experiences related to curriculum development and/or academic advising. Any relevant experience with clinical or medical education should be highlighted. 

The scholarship/research statement (1 page max) should describe your past training and scholarship/research contributions related to the position. Additionally, please outline how you could support scholarship/research collaborations and experiences of undergraduate and graduate students within the Department.

The diversity statement (1 page max) should describe your history of advocacy and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion both professionally and personally and describe strategies you use/will use to ensure your teaching and mentorship activities will provide equitable opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and will foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in your courses and your scholarship. Use specific examples where possible.

The application must be submitted online and should be addressed to:

Dr. Coral Murrant
Professor and Department Chair
Human Health and Nutritional Sciences College of Biological Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

APPLY ONLINE – Assistant Professor in Health Sciences (https://bit.ly/4hA5BIk)

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA – https://ugfa.ca/). 

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 (https://www.uoguelph.ca/president/strategic-plan/#strategic-priorities-2), 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 accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness (https://www.uoguelph.ca/hr/about-hr/occupational-health-and-wellness) or contact OHW at [email protected]. 

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