WAUGH FAMILY CHAIR IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

University of Manitoba

The Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, and Shared Health Manitoba are seeking a clinician-scientist to be nominated to the Waugh Family Chair in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This endowed chair provides salary support and operating funds for investigator-driven independent research in Multiple Sclerosis. The successful candidate will be appointed to the rank of Associate Professor or full Professor, thus should hold a rank of Assistant Professor or higher at the time of application. Salary and rank will be commensurate upon qualifications and experience and will consider the incumbent’s current academic rank.

The promotion of research excellence in MS is congruent with the academic mission of the Section of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine and Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. Candidates for the Chair should have a demonstrated record for excellence and in translational, clinical and/or epidemiologic research in Multiple Sclerosis. Excellence will be assessed on the breadth and translational elements of the research program, record of productivity and external funding, as well as mentorship and training experience, and effective research collaboration. The research program should focus on MS, and generate new knowledge that has potential to ultimately lead to cures, new treatments and care, and better health for individuals with MS. The successful candidate will have a recognized research record and program that can support successful and diverse collaborations with other clinical and/or basic scientists within the university, nationally and internationally.

The chairholder will be part of the MS program at the Health Sciences Centre, and report to the Department Head of Internal Medicine and Provincial Specialty Lead – Internal Medicine, Shared Health and Section Head, Neurology. The Section of Neurology has substantial resources within the health system, primarily at two academic health centres and one community-based hospital. The section of Neurology is one of 18 academic sections in the Department of Internal Medicine providing patient care, undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education, and a long record for clinical and lab-based research. The 28 faculty members in Neurology have a history of productive and internationally renowned Multiple Sclerosis research with a strong residency training program and actively collaborate with scientists from other sections, departments, and institutions across Canada and beyond. Local opportunities for research collaborations include but are not limited to the Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre, Manitoba Center for Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Community Health Sciences, the Manitoba Center for Health Policy, and the National Microbiology Laboratory/Public Health Agency of Canada based in Winnipeg.
This is a geographical, full-time, contingent position. Assessment of applications will commence by September 1, 2025. The position will remain open until filled. The start date for the position is negotiable, based on the successful candidate’s availability. The initial term for the Waugh Family Chair in MS will be for 5 years, renewable upon favourable review.

Candidates must have Canadian Citizenship or be eligible to become a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and must be eligible for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. A successful MD, MD / MSc or MD / PhD applicant must have specialty qualifications in Neurology in the country of current practice, and to be eligible to apply for specialty certification in Neurology by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, if they do not already have such certification.

The University of Manitoba and The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, access and participation, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant's record of research achievement. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process.

We encourage applicants to indicate aspects of their identity that position them to bring currently under-represented viewpoints, expertise and forms of excellence to this role.
If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Interested applicants should submit their complete application with the following components:
1) a letter of intent (two-page maximum)
2) curriculum vitae
3) a five-year research plan overview (three-page maximum)
4) statement on mentorship and teaching approach (one-page maximum)
5) a personal statement on your contributions, commitment and approach to anti-racism, social injustice and equity, diversity and inclusion in your work, service and/or other experiences
6) names of contact information for three references.

All materials should be sent in electronic form (eg. pdf file) to:
Chair, Neurology Search Committee
Department of Internal Medicine
Room GC425, Health Sciences Centre
820 Sherbrook Street
Winnipeg, MB Canada R3A 1R9
intmedrecruitment@umanitoba.ca

The position will remain open until filled.