Applications are invited for the position of 

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Open Date: August 20, 2024
Until: October 20, 2024

1. Position Summary

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) of Sinai Health, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre, is seeking two (2) emerging leaders in the broad area of Population Health Data Science. The appointments will be for Full-Time Principal Investigators, rank equivalent to Assistant or Associate Professors, with the anticipated starting date of September 1, 2025, or a date to be mutually agreed upon. 

We seek applicants who will develop independent, outstanding and innovative Population Health Data Science research programs. We will consider applicants spanning all areas of Population Health Data Science and are particularly interested in investigators with a specific focus on one of the following topics:

(i) Infectious disease research, including but not limited to communicable disease epidemiology, mathematical modelling, pathogen genomics and phylodynamics. Establishing an impactful research program that develops and applies innovative quantitative approaches to investigate the evolution, natural history, and transmission of the pathogens in the population and/or their interplay with host immunity and co-morbidities, and provide insights to inform infectious disease prevention, surveillance and control.

(ii) Population data linkage research based on connection of population data from various sources, such as electronic medical records, administrative and laboratory databases, and geospatial information linkable to environmental conditions at the provincial, national or international scale. Applying and developing innovative analytical approaches, including machine learning algorithms for ecological, longitudinal, etiological, prognostic or comparative analysis, and resulting in insights to inform population health determinants and policy recommendations. The health topic areas can include but are not restricted to, perinatal/maternal-child health, cancers, cardiometabolic conditions, autoimmune diseases and other complex diseases.

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is one of Canada’s leading biomedical research institutes, located within Mount Sinai Hospital at Sinai Health in downtown Toronto. The LTRI is committed to excellence in health research and development of early career investigators. LTRI’s faculty members are internationally renowned for their work in cancer, diabetes, genetic disorders, and maternal-infant health, among others. Large-scale health data has been collected through multiple research initiatives and platforms, and Sinai Health, in collaboration with University Health Network, is home to one of largest hospital-based clinical microbiology testing laboratories in North America, performing over 600,000 microbiological tests per year and recognized locally and nationally as a leader in microbiology innovation and research, particularly in the areas of virology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and infection prevention and control. Within the LTRI, the Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research comprises multi-disciplinary scientists focusing on quantitative research of complex diseases, including precision health and multi-omics integration based on large-scale cohorts and biobank data.  Partnering with the Data Sciences Institute, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the Department of Statistical Sciences, and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, the Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research is the hub of an active research community of public health research, complex disease epidemiology, omics data sciences and quantitative method innovation.

LTRI provides a research-intensive environment with modern and innovative core facilities. These include next-generation sequencing, single-cell platforms, proteomics, robotics, and advanced cellular imaging, which drive technology development and are housed in the Network Biology Collaborative Centre. LTRI has a fully accredited Biospecimen Repository for biobanking and a dedicated Research Trainee Centre that supports trainees across disciplines from around the world.

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute research groups engage in productive collaborations with the larger University of Toronto community, as well as national and international networks. The University of Toronto boasts one of the world's most concentrated biomedical research communities, and is notably home to the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Data Sciences Institute. Government agencies such as the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Public Health Ontario, with whom our researchers partner, are also based in Toronto.  Toronto is a vibrant, safe, multicultural city with excellent quality of life.

2. Appointment Details

Investigators at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute are appointed to independent positions equivalent to Assistant, Associate or Full Professor, depending on experience. Preference for this open position will be given to individuals qualifying at the level of Assistant or Associate Professors. The Investigators will be cross-appointed at the University of Toronto in the academic department best aligned with the candidates’ backgrounds and research topics and, if applicable, with a possible affiliated appointment at the Vector Institute. The investigator will be integrated into the large network of data scientists affiliated with the Data Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto.

As part of the University of Toronto and Sinai Heath System’s implementation of their Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan, the successful candidate in this search MAY BE eligible for nomination for a CRC Tier 2 Chair if they self-identify as a member of the following federally designated groups, as defined by the Employment Equity Act (women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples), or as trans, non-binary, or Two-Spirit. The nominee’s research area must align with the subject matter eligibility of CIHR.

Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Nominees should be within ten years of receiving their PhD or MD degree (not including career breaks, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.). 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.

For further information on the federally endowed Canada Research Chairs Program, open to all nationalities, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website. For more information about the CRC nomination process at the University of Toronto, contact Judith Chadwick, Assistant Vice-President, Research Services, at crc@utoronto.ca.

3. Education and Experience Requirements

Candidates must hold a PhD, ScD, MD or equivalent doctoral degree, with postdoctoral experience and an established record of research accomplishment as demonstrated by outstanding publications, presentations at major international conferences, awards and accolades, as well as strong endorsement by reference letters. A track record of securing external funding and interests and experiences in cross-disciplinary collaborations is an asset. The successful candidates will be expected to initiate and lead innovative, independent, and externally funded, research programs of the highest international calibre and impact.

We offer competitive and generous salaries and start-up packages commensurate with experience and qualifications. As an equal opportunity employer who understands that diversity enriches our community and culture, we invite applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, disabled people/people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and Sinai Health recognize that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances to allow for a fair application assessment. The committee will carefully consider any impact of career interruptions in their decision-making.

4. How to Apply

Applications should include the following documents:

1. A cover letter
2. A one-page structured summary that includes: A) a brief education/training history; B) a summary of the applicant’s most important research contributions (up to five), and C) an abstract of the research plan
3. A complete curriculum vitae with complete publication list, and evidence of prior funding
4. A research statement highlighting the proposed research program (not exceeding 3 pages, including figures; references can be on a separate page)
5. A statement (0.5 to 1 page) highlighting past and future commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Please identify your strengths and experiences in increasing EDI in your previous institutional environments and your commitment to supporting diverse trainees and co-workers in the future.
6. Three reference letters

Applications should be submitted via the Interfolio website prior to October 20, 2024:
https://apply.interfolio.com/152361

Applicants needing additional information can contact the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Rayjean Hung and Anne-Claude Gingras via DataScience_search@lunenfeld.ca. Note that e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Employment at Sinai Health is conditional upon the verification of credentials, completion of a health review, and demonstrating proof of immunity and vaccination status of vaccine-preventable diseases. All employees and affiliates will follow safe work practices and comply with health and safety policies, procedures and training. If you believe you are one of the very few people who may require an exemption from vaccination, supporting medical information must be submitted to our Occupational Health department, who will review and assess. 

Sinai Health is comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and our system partner Circle of Care. We deliver excellent care in hospital, community and home, focusing on the comprehensive needs of people. Sinai Health discovers and translates scientific breakthroughs, pushes boundaries for health solutions and educates future clinical and scientific leaders. Clinical areas of specialization include rehabilitation and complex continuing care, surgery and oncology, urgent and critical care, and women’s and infants’ health. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute ranks among the top ten biomedical research institutes in the world. Sinai Health is a full affiliate of the University of Toronto.

As an equal opportunity employer who understands that diversity enriches our community and culture, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, disabled people/people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require accommodation(s) due to disability at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Human Resources Department via email at kdudas@lunenfeld.ca.

We recognize that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Search committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to, the impact of career interruptions in their assessments.

All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

COLLECTION OF EQUITY DATA

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey directly on the Interfolio site. This form is voluntary, and any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by the search committee. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes as part of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives