Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Systems&Tissue Crosstalk, Professor or Associate Professor, Tenured

About the Position 

The Department of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences welcomes applications from world-leading scholars and scientists in Systems & Tissue Crosstalk for consideration as nominees to the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) competition.

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program represents a $1 billion investment over 12 years from the federal government to support institutions in attracting internationally renowned researchers currently living and residing outside Canada. Impact+ Chairs are awarded in strategic priority areas established by the Government of Canada to address pressing global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits for Canada and the world. A core expectation is that Chairs and their research teams will build significant new partnerships and actively mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects while actively developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

Valued at either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, depending on the nature and costs of the proposed research program, the Impact+ program funds salaries, benefits, and research activities for Chairholders and their teams. A four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value, may be possible following an external review in Year 7 of the award. An additional investment of $400 million is allocated toward the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund to establish a complementary stream of research infrastructure support to ensure Chairholders have the world-class facilities they need to achieve their research goals.

The Impact+ Research Chair in Systems & Tissue Crosstalk is aligned with the federal strategic priority area of health, including biotechnology. Specific research program areas under this priority include:
• metabolomic, microbiome, and/or epigenetic programming;
• molecular, physiological & pharmacological mechanisms of nutraceuticals, cannabinoids, and/or other environmental modifiers;
• mechanisms of aging and/or healthspan; or
• physiology, neuroscience & psychology interactions with sociocultural, environmental, and/or behavioural contexts.

The Chair will lead a cutting-edge research program that addresses a critical national challenge: the rapidly rising burden and cost of chronic, age-related disease. Canada’s unsustainable healthcare expenditures are driven largely by an aging population and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases, creating an urgent need for preventive, mechanism-driven, and cost-effective health strategies.

The Chair will also integrate complementary strengths in the Department of Health Sciences by contributing new research expertise in systems and tissue crosstalk to existing research areas pursued by departmental faculty, including molecular and cell biology and animal models to study aging, physiology, and pathology within individual organs, and laboratories focused on exercise, lifestyle, and behavioural interventions to improve physiological function and health outcomes. By defining how molecular mechanisms, physiological fitness, and lifestyle factors interact across tissues, this research will inform the development of innovative biotechnological, nutritional, and behavioural interventions aimed at improving healthspan, preventing disease, and supporting precision health approaches, and reduce individual suffering and medical care burden.

This vision will be realized through collaborations with the Department of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Biology in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, and the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as Brock University Institutes and Centers, such as the Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Lifespan Development Research Institute, and the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. These partnerships will promote research in chronic disease prevention through exercise and diet, role of environmental toxins on biological mechanisms, and the influence of social determinants of health and well-being.

Lastly, the Chair will contribute to the training, mentorship, and well-being of Brock undergraduate and graduate students through teaching and research supervision.

The Impact+ recruitment process is multi-staged. Interested applicants must first apply to this institutional posting. The selected candidate will work closely with Brock University to co-develop and submit a full nomination package to the Impact+ competition along with an infrastructure request of up to $6M to the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program website.
Impact+ nominations are subject to review and final approval through the Impact+ program. Appointment to a tenured faculty position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor is contingent upon the outcome of the Impact+ nomination.

For questions about Brock’s Impact+ process, please contact Samantha MacLean (smaclean@brocku.ca).

About Brock University

The Brock University experience is second to none in Canada. Located in the historic Niagara region, Brock offers all the benefits of a young and modern university in a safe, community-minded city, with beautiful natural surroundings. With over 18,000 students and more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in seven diverse Faculties, Brock excels at providing exceptional experiential learning opportunities and highly rated student and campus life experiences.

Our Geography

Brock University’s main campus is situated atop the Niagara Escarpment, within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, overlooking the city of St. Catharines, in the heart of Niagara wine country. The Niagara region is dotted with landmarks that recognize our nation’s history and features breathtaking natural beauty and world-famous attractions. St. Catharines is home to vibrant arts and entertainment venues, and is a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo, New York. With one of the warmest climates in Canada, clean, safe communities, and surprisingly affordable real estate, Niagara is an exceptional location to call home.

What We Offer 

Brock University offers competitive salary and benefits and ample support for research and sabbaticals. Research resources include conference support, start-up funding, subscriptions to major databases, and access to various research funding vehicles. Benefits associated with Impact+ Chair appointments include partial teaching release and start-up research funds. Relocation expenses will be administered according to the Faculty Association Collective Agreement.

The target hiring range for this position at the rank of Associate Professor is $140,000 to $190,000. The target hiring range at the rank of Full Professor is $175,000 to $225,000. The final salary will be determined based on relevant experience, internal equity and budget considerations.

About the Department

The selected candidate will join the Department of Health Sciences (HLSC). As a research-intensive department, HLSC houses a critical mass of transdisciplinary researchers spanning immunology, metabolism, proteomics, cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience, nutrition, and psychosocial health. This collaborative ecosystem is uniquely suited to systems and crosstalk focused science. HLSC’s demonstrated integration of natural, behavioural, and social sciences enables unique research programs that cannot be developed within traditional disciplinary boundaries. HLSC has a proven culture of research excellence and funding competitiveness. This environment offers immediate access to collaborators, shared infrastructure, and a track record of interdisciplinary funding success making it highly attractive to international scholars. The Chair will be well positioned to attract external financial contributions from Tri-Agency programs, major foundations, and strategic partnerships with industry and community stakeholders in areas such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, aging, environmental health, and health and diagnostics technologies.

Qualifications

We seek a dynamic researcher and educator with significant leadership in system and tissue crosstalk that spans cells to society. The successful candidate will have an established record of research excellence, international recognition, and a proven ability to translate research findings into impactful solutions to extend healthspan that contribute to the sustainability of Canada’s healthcare system and beyond.

Only individuals working and residing outside Canada are eligible to apply.

The selected candidate must be eligible for appointment as Professor or to be promoted from Associate Professor to Professor within two years. Applicants from outside the academic sector must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. At Brock University, such appointments typically require a completed Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

Ideal applicants will be recognized international leaders in systems and tissue crosstalk, bringing a body of coherent research and associated social impact to the Department of Health Sciences and Brock University. We are open to a diverse range of methodological approaches. In addition to traditional scholarly outputs such as peer-review publications, applicants are invited to demonstrate research excellence and impact through a track record of technology transfer and industry uptake for research outputs, and non-peer reviewed industry-focused publications.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate successful mentoring or a continuous commitment to mentoring and training undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research technicians.

Equity Considerations

Brock University is committed to building inclusivity and equity through understanding and respect for diverse identities. These commitments are reflected in our approaches to teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, administration and service provision, and community engagement. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in the recognition that the strongest research, scholarship, and creative activity and the best research training environment require engagement of scholars from diverse backgrounds.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded throughout Brock University’s Institutional Strategic Plan 2025–2030. The University welcomes diverse perspectives and creates the conditions for everyone to flourish and thrive. We value and celebrate one another as we journey together toward a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow. We believe strongly in our responsibility to act with honesty, integrity, collegiality, inclusivity, and transparency. We earn the respect and admiration of others — making our University, our region, and our world a better place. We embrace new thinking and welcome fresh ideas. Natural optimists, we have the creativity and courage to challenge conventional thinking to generate, translate, and mobilize knowledge for a better future.

Consistent with Brock University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, in recognition of and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Indigenous peoples, members of racialized groups, people with disabilities, women, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of one or more designated groups as part of their application. This information will be securely accessed to fulfill this hiring initiative and to ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s Research Chairs program.

Brock University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are expected to have an impact on an applicant’s record of research achievement. Differing career patterns may be more common among members of designated groups and those who have experienced workplace leaves. Applicants are invited to include a description of relevant considerations in their application materials. Please visit the Canada Research Chair Program Guidelines for Assessing the Productivity of Nominees for examples of circumstances that may impact an applicant’s record of achievement. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website using the “Apply” button. A single PDF document containing all application elements is preferred. (Note: File maximum of 5MB per attachment upload.) If needed, supplemental application information beyond the 5 MB limit can be sent to the Department of Health Sciences (hlsc@brocku.ca).
Application elements include the following:
1. A letter of interest (suggested 2 pages) outlining:
a. your qualifications for a successful Impact+ nomination;
b. alignment of your profile and expertise with this Impact+ position; and
c. definition that you hold for research excellence and impact.
2. A description of your program of research (suggested 3 pages), including:
a. your short- and long-term vision for your future research program as an Impact+ Research Chair at Brock;
b. novel opportunities for training students and scholars across research contexts;
c. alignment with the Impact+ strategic priorities: health, including biotechnology;
d. the novelty and significance of the proposed work; and
e. prospective partners, including academic institutions, research organizations, private- or public-sector organizations, and not-for-profit groups, as relevant; and
f. the potential for the Chair to enhance your scholarly leadership and innovation capacity within the Department, Faculty, and University in strategic areas.
3. An updated curriculum vitae documenting publications, research grants, technology transfer and commercialization activities, community engagement, advocacy work, knowledge translation, and other modes of scholarship relevant to your research program. If preferred, candidates may submit a narrative curriculum vitae.
4. A statement of mentorship philosophy, teaching philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students (suggested 2 pages).
5. A statement of strengths and experiences in supporting equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous engagement for your discipline through research, curriculum, advocacy, community outreach or engagement, or student support (suggested 2 pages).
6. The names and contact information of three referees who could provide confidential letters of assessment that speak to your suitability for this Chair position. Letters will not be requested unless an applicant is short listed.

The closing date for the position is March 26, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. The last business day to apply is March 25, 2026. Applications can be submitted at the following link: https://brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_careers/job/St-Catharines-Main-Campus/Canada-Impact–Research-Chair-in-Systems—Tissue-Crosstalk–Professor-or-Associate-Professor–Tenured-_JR-1022990

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Stevey Hildebrand at smoffat@brocku.ca.

Review of applications will begin upon closing.

Impact+ Chairs and accompanying family members (spouse and dependent children under 22) will be eligible for fast-track work permit approvals under the Global Skills Strategy, with a target of 2-week processing. Researchers recruited under this initiative will have access to existing economic immigration streams, with accelerated transitions to permanent residency for selected high-skilled workers.

The effective date for the academic appointment may be as early as November 2026 but is negotiable with the Faculty Dean. Chairholders are expected to begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award.

It is anticipated that this search will lead to a nomination in June 2026, for which a decision from the Impact+ Program is anticipated in September 2026. Chairholders are expected to begin their appointment at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the award, with the earliest possible start date in November 2026.

Inquiries should be directed to Dan Malleck, dmalleck@brocku.ca.

Original Posting Date February 23, 2026

Our Commitment

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples, Black people, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized groups, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should fill out the Self-Identification Form and include the completed form with their application.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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

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