Assistant Professor - Computational Biology and Data Science

Date Posted: 02/18/2026

Closing Date: 04/20/2026, 11:59PM ET

Req ID: 44368

Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)

Faculty/Division: University of Toronto Scarborough

Department: University of Toronto Scarborough: Department of Biological Sciences

Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a full-time, tenure stream position in Computational Biology and Data Science applied to Biological Systems and Biomedical Sciences. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. In order to address systemic barriers and increase diversity in the Canada Research Chairs Program and meet government-mandated requirements, selection will be limited to candidates who identify as members of one or more of the four federally-designated groups: women and gender minorities (those who identify as women, trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender fluid, based on the gender identity that best describes applicants at the current time), racialized persons/visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities. This recruitment process follows the provisions for special programs as described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. This strategic recruitment is an essential component of the University’s efforts to fulfill the commitments in our institutional Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan and to address the persistent under-representation of the four federally-designated groups among our cohort of Chairs. All applicants are required to self-identify as a member of one or more of the four federally-designated groups in their cover letter.

For CRC nomination eligibility, the nominee’s research area must align with the subject matter eligibility of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), must hold an active CRC-relevant tri-agency grant (e.g., CIHR Project Grant) and/or be actively applying for tri-agency funding.

Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. To meet the criteria of the program, nominees must be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to 10 years; as Chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality. 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.

Applicants must have earned a PhD degree in biology, biomedical sciences, computational biology, AI/machine learning, bioinformatics, or a related area to the subject matter of this search by the time of appointment and a minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral training in academia or industry, with a clearly demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. The Department of Biological Sciences is an international leader in biological research and education leveraging strong ties to other units within the University of Toronto, as well as strong connections with the new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) and the Scarborough Health Network (SHN). We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths.

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue interdisciplinary, innovative, and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program that innovates real world healthcare solutions by employing data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning approaches, Integrating our department’s strengths in basic biology, and the Scarborough Health Network’s (SHN) excellence in clinical research. Excitingly, through the partnership with the SHN, this position will offer access to data repositories, including data from rare disease cohorts that is not available elsewhere, offering the opportunities to be at the centre of clinical breakthroughs.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence of an internationally competitive caliber, which can be demonstrated by a record of publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals or forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and strong endorsements by referees of high standing.

Evidence of exce