Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply. If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar). The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University is seeking applicants to be nominated for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in RNA Neurotherapeutics. The CERC program supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program supports world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. These awards are among the most prestigious and generous available globally. Following a highly competitive and rigorous selection process involving peer review, CERCs are appointed for a period of eight years in values of $8 million or $4 million (over the entire award period). These awards are not renewable. The two award values recognize the varying costs of research within different research disciplines and aim to be inclusive of all areas of research. The CERC Chairholder will be an established leader in RNA research in the brain, either from academia or industry, with an innovative research program in RNA-related research in neuropsychiatry. They will be tasked with creating an ambitious research program to develop clinically relevant, therapeutic tools for brain/neuropsychiatric disorders based on novel RNA technologies. This work is expected to integrate multiple levels of research (molecular, cellular, behavioural, clinical); candidates using advanced data analytic approaches such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning to address this complexity are of particular interest. McGill University has an international reputation in excellence and innovation in neuroscience and mental health research. The CERC Chairholder will be based at the Douglas Institute, a Research Institute affiliated with McGill University. The Douglas, one of Canada’s largest mental health research centres, houses the unique Douglas Brain Bank, with over 4,000 human brains, a translational brain imaging facility, and world-class researchers in functional genomics, optogenetics, and clinical innovation, investigating topics in neuropsychiatry across the lifespan. McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science have invested heavily in RNA research and lead several multi-institutional initiatives, including over 40 active research groups. In particular, McGill has recently obtained a Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF 2022), named DNA to RNA (D2R). This $165 million federal investment is building an inclusive Canadian approach to genomic-based RNA therapeutics and specifically aims to develop new RNA therapies to target diseases that are difficult to treat using traditional interventions (“undruggable targets”). D2R promises to serve as a catalyst to drive innovation in RNA therapies across therapeutic areas. The CERC in RNA Neurotherapeutics program will benefit from this dynamic environment that involves strong collaborative links between current investigators working in psychiatry, neuroscience, genomics, bioinformatics, and related areas from the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, and Engineering, as well as several McGill Research Centres and other McGill-affiliated hospitals, and their respective technology platforms. The CERC in RNA Neurotherapeutics will build on the strengths of these existing and developing programs, contributing to McGill’s world-leading position in RNA research in the brain. The successful candidate is expected to: Hold a PhD and/or equivalent degree in accordance with University’s requirements, and an established research program in RNA neurobiology or in neurotherapeutic development at an internationally recognized level. Have an outstanding track-record of assembling functional, dynamic scientific teams, and have demonstrated innovative research and capability in developing novel tools and technologies to advance the study, manipulation, and use of RNA in the brain. The candidate must have expertise in neuropsychiatric disease. Be qualified to hold an academic position at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to Full Professor within one or two years of the nomination. Have a strong record of publications in internationally recognised scientific journals, success in obtaining funding from public and private sources, and prior leadership roles within large, interdisciplinary projects. Have the skills to promote a shared vision that will engage and motivate diverse collaborators and stakeholders in support of the program. Demonstrate the ability to work well with internal and external partners and potential stakeholders, such as funding agencies, charities, patient advocacy groups, private companies, and the public. Participate in all aspects of McGill’s academic mission, including teaching, supervision of graduate students, and service. A further important role of the CERC Chairholder will be to contribute to a strong and innovative training program in RNA Neurotherapeutics at McGill. Candidates will be expected to possess the skills needed to recruit, teach, and mentor a diverse group of researchers and trainees, reflecting McGill’s commitments to equity and diversity as set out in core institutional documents including McGill’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Plan, Taskforce on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, and McGill Accessibility Strategy. The appointment will be at the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor. The successful applicant will be eligible for a tenure stream position. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. CERC guidelines state that researchers who are currently at another Canadian institution are eligible as candidates only if there is demonstrable net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another. Application Process Applications should include: Cover letter and curriculum vitae Statement of research interests Names and contact information of 3 references. Please submit your application within 30 days of the publication date (June 4, 2025). Closing date: July 4, 2025. Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located. McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing. McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry. McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, Heather Purdie (heather.purdie@mcgill.ca). Located in one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGillians are proud to be part of a community that is both global and local, inspired by challenge and committed to shaping a better future. McGill received a Platinum STARS rating in sustainability, is among Canada’s greenest employers, and is a top Montreal Employer. Grandescunt Aucta Labore. By work, all things increase and grow. Find a sense of purpose. Develop your future. Join us today.
