Brock University

Senior Scientist, Virology

Brock University  •  Canada (Onsite)  •  20 hours ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.

We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive! Brock has been recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara for seven consecutive years. We have been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. For 2025, Brock has been proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture, ranked seventh by Forbes in partnership with Statista. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities.

Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date:

September 14, 2026 at 11:59 PMThis job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)

About the Role:

The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University is looking for an experienced scientist with a PhD in Plant Pathology, Plant Production, Agriculture Engineering or related areas with a focus on grapevine viruses, pathogen eradication from grapevine, grapevine plant propagation, and germplasm maintenance. Experience in vineyard field research and a desire to work with the Canadian grape and wine industry is required. Overseeing pathogen detection using high throughput sequencing and droplet digital PCR is required.

Reporting to the Director, CCOVI, the Senior Scientist, Virology leads and participates in short-term and long-term applied and field research on issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry and leads and participates in outreach activities to support the local and Canadian grape and wine industry. The Senior Scientist supervises research assistants, and 4th year thesis students and co-supervises graduate students.

The Senior Scientist, Virology will:

  • Provide research knowledge to pre-existing and new research programs in areas of their expertise in grapevine virology and vine propagation;
  • Lead the development of research programming focused on short-term and long-term issues relevant to the Niagara grape and wine industry;
  • Liaise with industry grape growers and winemakers to determine issues of relevance;
  • Carry out applied and field research and track, analyze and report on progress, communicating results to end users, the research community and media venues;
  • Collaborate with other CCOVI researchers and with professors affiliated with CCOVI to apply for competitive, multidisciplinary grant proposals and carry out joint research projects;
  • Maintain adjunct status in the department of Biological Sciences to have active participation in training and mentoring of graduate and 4th year students;
  • Lead the development of outreach activities to assist the local grape and wine industry, including workshops, seminars and videos;
  • Actively engage in strategic, long-term opportunities for the local community and industry engagement;
  • Oversee research personnel that are hired as a direct result of a successful grant application;
  • Provide financial oversight for any part of a grant that has a budget allocated directly to the incumbent as the Principal Investigator or collaborator;
  • Oversee all financials for short- and long-term grants and projects while demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

Key Skills and Experience:

  • PhD in plant pathology, plant production systems or agriculture engineering with a focus on grapevine virology, and experience working on issues relevant to the grape and wine industry in areas of virology and plant propagation;
  • Advanced ability to obtain and manage grant money to fund research for the local grape and wine industry as a collaborator or as a principal investigator;
  • A research scientist who is recognized as an expert in their area of grapevine virology and grapevine propagation through local or national invited speaking engagements, and who has led a team of scientific and technical personnel or carried out in-depth inquiries to successfully deliver on the short-term and long-term outcomes of CCOVI and the grape and wine industry;
  • Advanced knowledge of area of plant pathology, grapevine virology and plant propogation as it relates to grape and wine production, quality indicators and impact from climate change;
  • Advanced awareness and ability to remain up to date with the issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry;
  • Demonstrated success attaining and managing significant research funding as a Principal Investigator;
  • Demonstrated success developing outreach programming including, workshops and seminars that engage members of the community at all levels of industry knowledge;
  • Knowledge of project management practices and principles, and the ability to keep up-to-date with best practices;
  • Strong listening, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills;
  • Conflict resolution skills with the ability to communicate tactfully and diplomatically;
  • Advanced troubleshooting skills and ability to resolve research issues relevant to the local grape and wine industry;
  • Expert analytical skills and demonstrated ability to correctly analyze research results and draw accurate conclusions.

Salary and Total Rewards:

  • Job Grade P, Salary Scale ($100,217-$160,348);
  • Target Hiring Range: $100,217-$115,000*
  • This is a permanent position that includes:
  • Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.
  • Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays.
  • Professional Development: Eligibility for the Brock Tuition Waiver Program.

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range.

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups

We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitmentprocess, as outlined in ourEmployment Accommodation Policyand consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights CodePlease contact talent@brocku.caif you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications receivedCandidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca

Brock University

About Brock University

Industry
Unknown
Company Size
Unknown
Headquarters
Unknown
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
brocku.ca
Social Media