[1] Upon receiving her PhD, Dunfield accepted a faculty position at the University of Guelph.
In 2013, Dunfield was appointed a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Environmental Microbiology of Agro-ecosystems for a five year term.
[2] Shortly after receiving this role, Dunfield was appointed a co-editor of the Canadian Journal of Microbiology, replacing James J. Germida and Anthony J.
[3] Her CRC position was renewed in 2018 for another five year term to continue studying the effects of human activity on soil health and ecosystem function.
[4] In the same year, she collaborated with Laura Van Eerd and Claudia Wagner-Riddle to lead Guelph's soil health outreach program in Ontario, as a result of "having produced high-quality research and engaged in collaboration and outreach.