Principal Investigator in Data Science and Health Research
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Open Date
December 5, 2022
Deadline
January 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
POSITION TYPE: Faculty
DESCRIPTION
Position Summary
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) of Sinai Health System, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre, is seeking an emerging leader in the broad area of Data Science and Health Research. The appointment will be for a Principal Investigator, rank equivalent to Assistant Professor, with the anticipated starting date of September 1, 2023. We seek applicants that will develop independent, outstanding and innovative programs in Data Science with a specific focus on applications to health research. Topic areas include, but are not limited to: genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, pathogen genomics, statistical genetics, epidemiology, risk prediction modeling, data linkage, bioinformatics, quantitative biomedical image analysis, machine learning analytics and artificial intelligence application in health science for a wide range of complex diseases.
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is one of Canada’s leading biomedical research institutes offering a stimulating research environment. The successful candidate will join the LTRI whose faculty members are internationally renowned for their work in multiple areas of cutting-edge research. With numerous discoveries in cancer, diabetes, genetic disorders, women’s and infants’ health among others, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is committed to excellence in health research and the training of young investigators. Large-scale health data has been collected through many research initiatives and platforms. Within the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, the Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research includes a group of multi-disciplinary scientists with focus on quantitative research of complex diseases, including population and statistical genomics based on large-scale cohorts and biobank data, and multi-omics integration. Partnering with the Data Science Institute, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Department of Statistical Science, and 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 science, genomic epidemiology, omic data science and statistical methodology.
The Institute provides a research-intensive environment with modern and innovative core facilities that include next-generation sequencing, single cell platforms, proteomics, robotics and advanced cellular imaging that drive technology development and are housed in the Network Biology Collaborative Centre and the Nikon Center of Excellence. LTRI has a fully accredited Biospecimen Repository for biobanking and a designated Research Training Centre that hosts trainees across disciplines from around the world.
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute labs engage in productive collaborations within the Institute and are well integrated in the larger University of Toronto community, as well as national and international collaborations. The University of Toronto has one of the most concentrated biomedical research communities in the world, including 9 academic hospital research institutes that are fully affiliated with the University, in addition to government agencies such as the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Public Health Ontario, Vector Institute focused on artificial intelligence, and the newly established Data Science Institute dedicated to large-scale data science. This community attracts more than $1.2 billion in annual research investment. Toronto is a vibrant, safe and multicultural city with excellent quality of life.
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 professor. The Investigator will be cross-appointed at the University of Toronto in the academic department best aligned with the candidate’s background and research topic, and if applicable, with possible affiliated appointment at the Vector Institute. The investigator will be integrated into the large network of data scientists affiliated with the Data Science Institute at the University of Toronto.
An appropriately qualified individual may also be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. As part of the University of Toronto’s & Sinai Health’s implementation of its 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 the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Nominees should be within ten years of receiving their PhD. 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. Eligible candidates will be given the opportunity to be considered for Tier 2 Canada Research Chair nomination. For further information (including eligibility criteria) on these federally endowed chairs, which are open to all nationalities, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website.
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.
Education and Experience Requirements
Candidates must hold a PhD, ScD 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 referees of high international standing. A track record of securing external funding and interests and experiences in cross-disciplinary collaborations is an asset. The successful candidate will be expected to initiate and lead an innovative, independent, and externally funded, research program of the highest international calibre.
We offer competitive salary and start-up packages commensurate with experience and qualifications (Illustrative range between $140,000 to $160,000) as well as a full health benefit package.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To develop innovative and highly competitive independent research programs in Data Science and Health Research, broadly defined as quantitative modeling of high-dimensional data such as multi-omics analytics with application to human health, including but not limited to communicable or complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes, developmental origins of health and diseases.
- To establish and maintain an outstanding and competitive research program supported by external funding
- To establish productive collaboration nationally and internationally
- To hire and supervise research staff and trainees and manage budget accordingly.
- To disseminate the results from the research program in leading peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTION
Applications should include the following documents:
- A cover letter
- A one-page structured summary that includes (a) education/training history, (b) citations of the applicant’s most important publications (up to five), and (c) a maximum 350-word abstract of their research plan
- A research statement highlighting proposed research program (not exceeding 3 pages)
- Curriculum vitae with complete publication list, and evidence of prior funding
- Three reference letters
Applications should be submitted via the Interfolio website prior to January 31, 2023: https://apply.interfolio.com/118539
Applicants needing additional information can contact the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Rayjean Hung and Laurence Pelletier via DataScience_search@lunenfeld.ca. Note that e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
HOSPITAL DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Sinai Health System recognizes 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 in order 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.
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and Sinai Health System is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, and members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Sinai Health System especially welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with a disability.
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 Sinai Health System’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative.
OTHER INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE POSITION
In accordance with Institute’s policy and legislated health and safety requirements, employment is conditional upon the verification of credentials, completion of a health review, and demonstrating proof of immunity and vaccination status of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Sinai Health System is a scent sensitive environment and all members of the community are expected to refrain from wearing or using scented products while visiting or working at the Institute. We also support a barrier-free workplace supported by the Institute’s accessibility plan, accommodation and disability management policies and procedures. Should you require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, including accessible job postings, please contact the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Human Resources Department. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
