Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Computational Semantics

Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Computational Semantics
Full Time, Tenured
Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
Position #: 37315 & 37316
Posting Start Date: January 26, 2026
Posting End Date: February 27, 2026. Posting may remain open beyond the date of February 27, 2026, until filled.

Expected start date of appointment: Within 12 months of the award date (September 2026).

The Department of Linguistics in the Faculty or Arts at the University of Manitoba invites applications for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in the field of Computational Semantics. A Canada Impact+ Research Chair is one of the most prestigious international awards globally, providing Chairholders and their research teams with an award of up to $8 million over eight years ($1 million per year). In addition, there is potential for a four-year extension at 50% of the initial award value per year. This extension will be determined by an external review in Year 7 of the award.

Successful nominees will be expected to start their position at the University of Manitoba within 12 months of accepting the award. The successful candidate will be appointed to a full-time tenured position at the rank of Full Professor, or at the rank of Associate Professor with an opportunity to apply for promotion to Full Professor within two years of starting their appointment. Salary will be based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, in accordance with the University of Manitoba Faculty Association collective agreement. The position will be provided with a start-up package and opportunities to compete for additional equipment funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

The Canada Impact+ Research Chair Program

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a new initiative funded by the Government of Canada to attract world-leading researchers to Canadian universities whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. Impact+ chairholders must advance ambitious and transformative projects in one or more of Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Canada’s strategic priority areas are: Advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity); Health, including biotechnology; Clean technology and resource value chains; Environment, climate resilience and the Arctic; Food and water security; Democratic and community resilience; Manufacturing and advanced materials; and Defence and dual-use technologies. Impact+ chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel. Please consult the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs website (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html) for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Applicants must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the first intake application deadline (March 24, 2026) are eligible to apply. The focus of this position is Computational Semantics, with particular emphasis on research at the intersection of computational linguistics, semantics, pragmatics, and artificial intelligence, especially the role of AI-supported language systems. The ideal candidate’s research program must include contributions to a broader understanding of AI in language and communications for society, including its impact on education and learning. They would have demonstrated experience in industry collaboration/partnerships and a record of effective knowledge mobilization/translation strategies. The candidate will have a demonstrated record of world-class research, strong student training and teaching excellence, and demonstrated experience in training and supervising graduate students in areas such as computational linguistics, semantics, and general linguistics. While this is a research-intensive position, the successful candidate will also contribute to educating undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students through teaching and mentorship in the Department of Linguistics, and participate in academic service activities to the Department, Faculty, or University. Teaching experience in semantics, pragmatics, computational linguistics, and AI-focused courses, including quantitative and corpus-based methods, is an asset.

The successful applicant will have access to core resources within the Faculty, including a dedicated Research Facilitator. The Faculty of Arts is also home to several centres including the University of Manitoba Institute for Humanities, the Centre for Social Science Research and Policy, and the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture. There are also a number of specialized labs including The Media Lab, Experimental Linguistics Laboratory, and Language Centre. In addition, access includes University facilities including high performance computing, research support through the Office of the Vice-President Research & International including the Major Projects Team, the Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation Office, and the Office of Research EDIA.

The appointment is dependent on a successful Canada Impact+ Research Chair Award, and the two-stage process of this appointment is:
1. Applicants must apply to this University of Manitoba advertisement for review and endorsement, and
2. The successful candidate will then prepare the required nomination package, with the support of the Office of the Vice President (Research & International) at the University of Manitoba. Completed nomination packages will be submitted to the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) as part of the national Impact+ Program’s application process. An academic appointment at UM is dependent on a successful review by the multidisciplinary selection committee and approval by the TIPS Steering Committee.

The Department of Linguistics and University of Manitoba

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Manitoba has 7 full-time faculty members, offering a range of theoretical perspectives and practices, including generative, cognitive, functional and sociolinguistic approaches to language. Students can pursue undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degrees (a 3-year General degree, a 4-year Advanced Major or Honours degree), a one-year coursework-based MA or a two-year thesis-based Master’s, and a PhD program. It publishes Algonquian and Iroquoian Linguistics and hosts a sociolinguistics and experimental phonetics lab.

The University of Manitoba (UM) is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Join us in advancing the fight against cancer, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, leading global public health efforts at scale in Asia and Africa, connecting to the Arctic, opening a new maritime trade route, working alongside Indigenous partners, enhancing defence and security in the North, developing materials for green energy and the digital economy, and making Canadian agriculture more globally competitive and sustainable.

UM’s Strategic Research Themes are:
• Foundations
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Research by, with, and for Indigenous Peoples
• Water and Food Security
• Health and Well-being
• Climate Action and Sustainability
• Manitoba, Hudson Bay, Arctic, and the World

Please consult the Change Through Research University of Manitoba Strategic Research Plan (2024-2029) for further information about these Research Themes.

The Application Process

Applicants must apply to this University of Manitoba advertisement through the UM Careers portal for review and endorsement and clearly state the application position numbers in the cover letter. Applicants should upload their cover letter separately, their curriculum vitae separately, and then combine their research plan, teaching statement, personal statement and a list of three referees into a single PDF file and upload it under ‘Additional Documentation’ when applying in UM Careers. If you experience any difficulties accessing UM Careers, please contact Corrine Bakun, Confidential Assistant to the Associate Deans, Faculty of Arts, (Corrine.Bakun@umanitoba.ca) for assistance. Further details on the application materials are:

• a concise cover letter describing suitability for the position
• a curriculum vitae (including examples of significant research contributions)
• a research plan (3 page maximum) outlining an independent, innovative research program, and its potential to attract funding and contribute to student training
• a teaching statement (1/2 page) that documents the applicant’s experience in and/or approach to training and mentoring diverse students and the candidate’s teaching philosophy
• a personal statement reflecting on the applicant’s positionality, demonstrated commitment, and approach to issues pertaining to anti-racism and social justice (including principles of equity, access, and participation) in the following areas: teaching, research, and service
• the names and contact information of three referees

A review of applications will begin March 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provision of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations

Equity, diversity and inclusion are embedded as foundational principles in Impact+ objectives, expected outcomes and reporting requirements of the competition. The three agencies expect that institutions and chairholders will demonstrate and implement the highest EDI standards for the duration of their award.

UM is committed to these principles and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at UM 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).

The Canada Impact+ Research Chair nomination selection committee will receive equity training that includes instruction on how to recognize and combat unconscious, implicit, overt, prejudicial and other kinds of bias.

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.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain the impact of any such interruption(s) in their submission. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process.

Live and Work where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers Meet

The City of Winnipeg (www.tourismwinnipeg.com), located where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, is recognized for its vibrant, multicultural community and diverse culture. The city, with a growing population of more than 766,000, is home to internationally renowned festivals, galleries and museums, the historic Exchange District and The Forks, and ever-expanding research, education, and business sectors. From the Hudson Bay waters, across the farmland fields, to the pulse of the cities and towns, The Province of Manitoba’s (www.travelmanitoba.com) people and places – its 100,000 lakes, 92 provincial parks, winding river valleys and storied prairie skies – inspire.

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