Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in AI-based Protein Modeling and Design

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Bargaining

Job Title

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in AI-based Protein Modeling and Design

Department

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Faculty of Medicine | Provost and VP Academic (Joerg Gsponer)

Posting End Date

November 14, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

The expected salary for this position is $150,000–$170,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) and the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invite applications for a Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in AI-based Protein Modeling and Design . This is a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, jointly appointed in MSL and BMB, with an anticipated start date no later than July 1, 2027.

AI-driven protein design is one of the most rapidly advancing frontiers in science, with transformative potential in medicine, biotechnology, and the life sciences. We seek outstanding candidates with an innovative and impactful research program integrating deep learning and AI-driven approaches across the protein design pipeline. Research programs may leverage structure-based models, protein language models, generative AI, or novel hybrid approaches. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, developing predictive and generative models for protein structure and function, advancing AI-enabled design-build-test-learn workflows, and creating new tools for the characterization and validation of engineered proteins.

Example application areas include the design of protein binders with tailored binding specificity and affinity, protein conformational switches that sense and respond to their environment, de novo enzymes for applications in medicine and sustainability, and proteins that interact selectively with non-protein molecules (e.g. nucleic acids, carbohydrates, small molecules).

About the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional supports to advance transformative research in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world. Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders are six-year positions valued at $100,000 annually, renewable once for an additional six years, intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have the potential to lead in their fields. Applicants must be early-career researchers and be eligible to hold a full-time, tenure-stream appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor at UBC.

Under the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program, nominees must be working and residing outside Canada when the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada award ( https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs.html ) is formally accepted (July 1st 2026). Applicants may apply regardless of their current location; however, candidates selected for nomination must meet this eligibility requirement on the award acceptance date in order to proceed. Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are welcome to apply.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The successful candidate will contribute to fostering an environment that promotes inclusivity and embodies values of respect, integrity, compassion, collaboration, and equity. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice are essential to academic excellence, as well as to fostering an inclusive community for voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged.

Research Environment

The successful candidate will benefit from a highly collaborative research environment that includes the new Centre for Applied Protein Design (CAPD), Canada's Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), the Centre for AI Decision-making and Action (CAIDA), and internationally recognized strengths in structural biology, immunology, and translational medicine. These connections create unique opportunities to develop and apply AI-driven approaches to protein engineering, from fundamental discovery through to therapeutic translation.

Envisioned by Dr. Michael Smith, a Nobel Laureate and a pioneer at the interface of biology and technology, the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL; https://www.msl.ubc.ca/ ) was one the first institutes in the world that recognized the power of scientists and engineers working together in interdisciplinary contexts. Our highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment supports faculty with focus in genomics, molecular biology, engineering, and biotechnology. Today, the MSL is home to a world class team of researchers with diverse expertise, from faculties including Science, Medicine, Applied Science, Forestry, and Land and Food Systems.

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB; https://biochem.ubc.ca ) is a dynamic, internationally recognized research community advancing fundamental and translational discoveries in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, genomics, cell biology, and biotechnology. Our interdisciplinary research addresses important questions in health, disease, and the molecular basis of life, supported by state-of-the-art technologies and strong collaborations across UBC and Vancouver’s biomedical and biotechnology community.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to establish and lead an independent externally funded research program in AI-based protein design and modeling, teach undergraduate and graduate course on fundamental and current topics as relevant to BMB, supervise and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners, establish intramural collaborations, participate in service to the departments, university, and the broader academic and professional community. The successful candidate will report to the Director of the MSL and the Head of BMB.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field as part of the UBC requirement. They must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor at UBC. They will have demonstrated evidence of ability in teaching and scholarly activity, and a strong publication record in AI-based protein modeling, design, or a closely related area. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own, and a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Compensation

The expected salary for this position is $150,000–$170,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience. At UBC, in addition to a generous benefit package and highly valued pension plan, faculty members also have access to a comprehensive range of leaves, services, resources, and career development opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc .

Applications should be submitted online at https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs and include the following:

1. A cover letter describing the applicant’s research vision and accomplishments (1 page)

2. The main application, containing the following sections:

a. Most significant contribu