Canada Excellence Research Chair in Biodiversity Genomics

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Canada Excellence Research Chair in Biodiversity Genomics

Location:

Guelph, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page:
Faculty, Librarian and Veterinarian

Division:
College of Biological Science

Requisition

Position Title / Rank:
Associate or Full Professor and CERC Chair in Biodiversity Genomics

Department:
Integrative Biology

Position Description

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is Canada’s most prestigious Research Chair program. It is designed to attract the top tier of world‑class researchers and their teams to launch ambitious research programs at Canadian universities, with the goal to advance the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities.

The University of Guelph welcomes applications from world‑leading researchers in the field of Biodiversity Genomics to the 2026 CERC competition, offering chair holders the opportunity to launch ambitious and impactful research programs, and build a critical mass of expertise to further Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. Preference will be given to applications from individuals whose country of residence and current appointment/employment is outside of Canada at the time of nomination;

however, strong applicants currently employed in Canada will also be considered. Applicants currently employed in Canada must demonstrate how moving from their current institution to the University of Guelph will result in a net benefit to Canada.

Candidates must be full professors (or equivalent) or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, candidates must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at this level. A Ph.D. in Biology or a related field is required by the University of Guelph.

The CERC program offers awards of either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to support world‑renowned researchers and their teams. The CERC in Biodiversity Genomics has a value of $4 million over 8 years.

Building on Our Strengths and Forging New Frontiers

Applicants should demonstrate how their research can integrate with and enhance the existing strengths of the University of Guelph’s and Department of Integrative Biology’s biodiversity and genomics initiatives, particularly the world‑renowned Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG). The CBG provides global leadership in biodiversity discovery and will be a key institutional partner in supporting the research vision and long‑term success of the CERC.

Areas

of Interest and Innovation

• Population, community and landscape level genomics, addressing evolutionary responses and adaptation under global change
• Genomics applications in conservation, sustainable land management, and ecological restoration
• Whole‑genome sequencing across diverse taxonomic groups and ecosystems, exploring microbial, plant, animal, and fungi biodiversity—in aquatic, terrestrial, polar, urban (etc.) ecosystems—through innovative and broadly applicable genomic approaches
• Developing new technologies and methodologies in biodiversity genomics to facilitate real‑world applications in industry, government, and policy
• Environmental DNA (eDNA), metabarcoding, and other high‑throughput genomic tools for ecosystem‑wide assessments
• Syntheses of genomic databases using advanced bioinformatics and data analytics

Candidate Profile

We welcome applicants across the biological sciences, genomics, biotechnology, and related disciplines. This CERC position offers a unique opportunity to lead transformative research with far‑reaching societal impacts. A successful applicant will be an established and internationally distinguished leader in the field of biodiversity genomics with a record of excellence, innovation, and impactful work. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to develop and lead large‑scale, interdisciplinary collaborative projects, including demonstrated success securing substantial research funding, and provide evidence for fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in project teams.

Further, a strong record…