Assistant Professor-Department of Health Sciences (Disease Modelling)

WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

The Department of Health Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a 2-year Limited Term Appointment (LTA) faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in the Molecular and Medical Sciences area beginning September 1, 2026, subject to budgetary approval. The primary campus location for this position is Waterloo, however, teaching responsibilities may include instruction of students at the Brantford and Milton campus via virtual modes of delivery.

Anticipated Salary Range: $90,000 to $125,000.  Actual salary to be commensurate with experience.  

We are seeking a candidate with expertise in the molecular and biological processes that influence health and disease to deepen our capacity in areas that connect laboratory science with broader health issues, at the undergraduate and graduate level. The successful applicant will be a scholar in the area of Translational Systems and Disease Modelling, focused on studying human disease and developing novel therapeutic strategies through advanced tissue culture and animal model systems.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate must have a PhD in one of the following disciplinary areas or a related area: Health Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, or Pathophysiology. An interdisciplinary educational background to study and enhance understanding of human health and disease processes is an asset.

The candidate will deliver key courses that rely on strong molecular and biomedical knowledge and may design a new course to complement our existing suite. The successful candidate will increase our ability to offer research opportunities and supervision for both undergraduate honours students and graduate students.

The candidate will ensure high-quality education through teaching, advancing knowledge through research, and supporting student and faculty development. Contribute to institutional governance, foster collaborations, and translate research into policies or other practical applications and interventions that improve human health.

The successful candidate will demonstrate teaching experience in molecular and medical sciences courses (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, biomedical virology, introduction to immunology, and laboratory-based inquiry), as well as capacity to teach courses that offer a cell-to-society understanding of health and disease with evidence of course development as an asset. A commitment to student mentorship, whether in the classroom, or research setting and with evidence of student supervision, is an asset.

The Department of Health Sciences is multidisciplinary in scope, offering a broad range of courses that span the natural sciences as well as courses applying social science and health theories and methods to health issues. As such, we offer students a unique ‘cell-to-society’ approach to understanding the complexity of human health across two streams Molecular and Medical Sciences and Community Public and Population Health. The Department values collegiality and a supportive work environment.

The successful candidate is also expected to contribute service to the University and academic community, and to scholarly and/or professional activities.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

• A curriculum vitae which includes a teaching dossier and statement regarding teaching experience and interests;
• At least one syllabus in a course related to human health and disease;
• Evidence of course development in the health sciences;
• Evidence of effective teaching. Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC, CIHR, and NSERC definitions and guidelines.

Additionally, the submission should contain a statement of current and prospective research interests including a research grant application plan.

Finally, applicants should submit copies of up to three publications or preprints; and arrange to have the name of three academic referees sent to:

Dr. Kate Rossiter
Professor & Chair, Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
c/o Emily Young – email: healthsciences@wlu.ca  

Electronic submission of applications is preferred.

Deadline for submission is April 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST.

About Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university renowned for its learning environment and student-focused educational experience. As a comprehensive university with more than 20,000 students, Laurier has grown rapidly in research intensity while at the same time preserving its well-earned reputation for undergraduate and graduate teaching and learning excellence. With a multi-campus and multi-community culture, Laurier offers students an exceptional range and depth of more than 100 academic programs taught by award-winning lecturers across nine faculties.

For more information about working at Laurier as well as the Department of Health Sciences applicants are encouraged to visit the institutions web pages: Department of Health Sciences – https://wlu.ca/programs/science/undergraduate/health-sciences-bsc/index.html and our Waterloo Campus - https://wlu.ca/about/working-at-laurier/assets/resources/living-in-waterloo.html

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key component of The Laurier Strategy and Laurier’s Strategic Academic Plan, and it is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact Employment Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship(s); however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Members of equity-deserving groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to Ruth MacNeil, Sr Administrative Officer (rmacneil@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found here.

Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources (HR@wlu.ca).

The Faculty of Science wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

We would like to acknowledge that Wilfrid Laurier University and its campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe (Anish-nah-bay) and Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-show-nee) peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict. From the Haldimand Proclamation of Oct. 25, 1784 this territory is described as: “six miles deep from each side of the river (Grand River) beginning at Lake Erie and extending in the proportion to the Head of said river, which them and their posterity are to enjoy forever.” The proclamation was signed by the British wit​h their allies, the Six Nations, after the American Revolution. Despite being the largest reserve demographically in Canada, those nations now reside on less than five percent of this original territory.