The Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University invites candidates to apply for a Canada Excellence Research Chair ( CERC ) position. The proposed CERC will be a global leader devoted to clinical, epidemiologic, and/or policy-based research, who can lead collaborative initiatives related to vaccine development, use, access and delivery. Together with their team and local, national and international partners, the CERC will generate evidence on the implementation and impact of vaccines and will link that evidence to policy decision-making domestically and internationally, with a particular focus on enabling equitable vaccine access across populations that have been marginalized worldwide. This research will enable the development, deployment and evaluation of new vaccines that reduce mortality and morbidity from preventable diseases. Moreover, the evidence generated will be leveraged towards other therapeutic areas such as oncology and antimicrobial resistance. While the specific policy area of focus will depend on the expertise of the recruited candidate, the research will aim to assure that vaccine development translates to optimum and equitable vaccine use and mitigates vaccine hesitancy.

The proposed CERC will build on established partnerships across Nova Scotia Health (NSH), IWK Health, and Dalhousie and world-leading expertise of the Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Vaccinology (I3V) Wave and Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV) . These groups bring together comprehensive knowledge in fundamental aspects of the pathogen-host interface, microbial genetics, host immune responses and pathogenesis, as well as expertise in clinical trials, implementation and social sciences. The proposed CERC aligns directly with Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine strategic priorities and Dalhousie's Healthy People, Healthy Communities, Healthy Populations Signature Research Cluster . Moreover, the CERC is well aligned with Government of Canada strategy to grow the biomanufacturing sector with a particular focus on vaccines and biomedicines . In this supportive research environment, the CERC will seek to achieve tangible improvements in equitable access to vaccines worldwide.

The CERC Program was created to attract Canadian and international leading scientists and scholars who can positively contribute to Canada's global competitiveness and well-being, and to help Canadian institutions compete in the global market for research talent. The work of these leading researchers will spark the creation of new services and policies that support Canada's economic competitiveness, help sustain the environment, and improve quality of life.

For more information on the CERC Program click here: https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/cpan-pccs-eng.aspx

Dalhousie University is a member of the U15 research-intensive universities in Canada. In 2020/21, Dalhousie received more than $194M in external research funding. As the only member of the U15 in Atlantic Canada, Dalhousie is a leader in the region and a respected partner nationally on research programming and innovation. Dalhousie provides a unique, interactive and collaborative environment for creating and sharing knowledge, supported by research funding from governments, industry and non-governmental organizations.

For more information on Dalhousie click here: https://www.dal.ca/

For more on research and innovation at Dalhousie click here: https://www.dal.ca/research.html

To be considered, please submit your application through https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/8791 by February 24, 2022. A complete application will include a CV and cover letter, including a research statement.

Dalhousie University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate's record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

To review a detailed position profile, please contact exec.search@dal.ca

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati), racially visible persons (especially historic African Nova Scotians), persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity .

If we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and any way in which we can be of assistance by emailing exec.search@dal.ca . Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates in order to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here .

The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or may seek an accommodation from Dalhousie's vaccine requirements on grounds protected under provincial human rights legislation . Visit the Campus Check website for more information.

Requirements

Qualifications & Eligibility:

· The ideal candidate will be a top-tier researcher whose accomplishments have made a major societal impact in the field of Vaccine Development and Equity and who is recognized internationally as a leader.

· In cases where a candidate is an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) researcher based in Canada, the impact can be at the international level and/or at the community, regional or national level.

· Candidates must be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor within one to two years of the nomination.

· The candidate should also have a record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment. This will include a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse core team (at the student, trainee, personnel and early-career researcher levels), and an environment that is safe and inclusive and allows all team members to reach their full research potential (e.g., through the recruitment and outreach strategy, equitable training opportunities, professional development and mentoring).

The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. Members of the Chair's team may also be eligible for an expedited work permit. Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible, but should they be nominated the University will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to Canada in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.

All CERC appointments are subject to review and approval by the CERC Secretariat . The successful candidate will be expected to assume the Chair by Fall 2023.