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Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease in Indigenous People

Employer
University of Saskatchewan
Location
Saskatoon (Region), Saskatchewan
Closing date
Jun 18, 2019

View more

Profession
Physician
Specialty
Nursing, Pediatrics

The College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Saskatchewan (https://medicine.usask.ca/research/overview.php) is pleased to invite applications for a tenured or tenure-track, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair appointment in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease in Indigenous People (I-DOHaD). The Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program is the flagship of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca).

DOHaD is a research approach used to improve the health of people. Chronic diseases of adulthood often begin in childhood. To prevent these diseases, researchers use birth cohorts to study the onset of chronic illness (prenatal through childhood). For decades, the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada has suffered compared to non-Indigenous Canadians as a whole. While there are many chronic illnesses that are overrepresented in Indigenous communities, we suggest that a DOHaD focus could be on development of obesity and obesity-related diseases in children, and importantly, on factors that could obviate the development of obesity. While the predisposition to obesity-related diseases is well-known, developmental data in children, especially of those in Indigenous communities, is lacking. First Nations communities are seeing a growing burden of these illnesses. The reason is likely multifactorial (i.e., genetic pre-disposition, epigenetics and environmental, both in the context of colonization, which hampered Indigenous Ways of Being and created health inequities). An I-DOHaD approach to obesity prevention would include exploring developmental factors related to wellness, which would not only have impact in terms of reducing obesity and risk of chronic diseases, but also impact in terms of maintaining overall wellness and resilience throughout the life-course. We suggest an I-DOHaD study approach designed and led by an Indigenous-focused CRC is a critical need for Saskatchewan and Canada.

This CRC will forge innovative models for collaborating directly with Indigenous communities like never before. The ultimate goal of reconciliation is to restore the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous and Settler peoples. Healthy human development is a fundamental part of the reconciliation goal, so this proposal should be well received by Indigenous communities. The project has been and will continue to be designed in collaboration with Indigenous communities. That being said, it is incorrect to assume that Indigenous communities will want all aspects of the above proposal. The specific research focus will remain open to community involvement working with the Chair on projects that are of mutual interest.

The successful candidate will lead an innovative program that will engage with and work in collaboration with Indigenous communities. In addition, the CRC will establish a research program that will create a program with a body of data for analysis using potentially all platforms of research (e.g. basic science, clinical epidemiology, social sciences, environmental sciences). Housed in the Department of Pediatrics, the successful candidate will be position to develop extensive collaborations with members from the universities of Saskatchewan, Regina, and the First Nations University of Canada. This includes, but not limited to those interested in Indigenous Health, Medical Geography, and Health Care History (College of Medicine, the Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness, Arts & Science, School of Public Policy, Department of Computer Science, College of Nursing, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre). Beyond Saskatchewan, this CRC will create and extend collaborative applications from national and international sources.

The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities. Its main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, a city on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River known for its quality of life, diverse and thriving economic base, vibrant arts community, and full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 24,000. The Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine looks forward to the new Jim Pattison Children’s hospital. With the new facility comes a stronger and renewed mandate to develop programs of child health research for the province and the world. This CRC program will be a major part of the new hospital and its mandate for research. (https://medicine.usask.ca/department/clinical/pediatrics.php#Partners)

Qualifications

Potential candidates will preferably identify as Indigenous or have Indigenous living experience, and have a proven track record of working well with Indigenous people. They must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent, and must have a record of research that establishes the ability to lead this DOHaD program. The research background could be from a variety of areas including but not limited to clinical health and epidemiology, Indigenous studies, basic science, social pediatrics, environmental sciences, law, medical geography.

Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars with less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination. 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. Please contact the Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) unit for more information (sri.support@usask.ca). 

The successful applicant will be appointed as a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the College of Medicine and will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. Salary bands for this position are as follows: Assistant: $93,293 to $112,109 and Associate Professor: $112,109 to $130,925, with the possibility of merit-based additions.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their application using the University’s online application portal. Complete applications will include a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and the names and contact information of three references. Applicants will be asked to complete a voluntary employment equity survey.

Review of applications will begin in February 2019; however applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2019, but is negotiable.

The impact of leaves (e.g. parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record of research achievement. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted them.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting employees in need of accommodation in an employment context. For more information on the University of Saskatchewan’s accommodation policy, please contact Carine.Paley@usask.ca (306-966-8560).

All qualified candidates, Canadian and other nationalities are entitled to apply. The University is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace and encourages applications from members of the four designated equity groups (women, members of a visible minority, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities). Applications from women and Indigenous persons are especially encouraged and will be given priority. The University of Saskatchewan relies on section 48 of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code to give preference in employment for this position. Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/index-eng.aspx) and by the strong commitment of the University of Saskatchewan and College of Medicine to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

For questions related to this position or the selection process, please contact Darryl Adamko, MD darryl.adamko@usask.ca. 

The University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community.

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