Canada Impact+ Research Chairs – Associate Professor / Professor

Ad posting date: December 18, 2025.
Ad closing date: June 15, 2026.
Review of applications for the March intake will begin on January 19, 2026.

University of Waterloo is a global research and innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With the strategic integration of research and teaching excellence, a world-leading co-operative education program and unmatched entrepreneurial culture, Waterloo’s community of researchers and innovators are uniquely positioned to address the most pressing global challenges facing humanity and our planet.

Recognized as Canada’s top comprehensive research university, Waterloo combines multidisciplinary research, deep connections with industry, unique creator-owned IP policy and robust commercialization support to turn discoveries into real-world solutions that create measurable benefits for society and the economy. Waterloo at 100 (https://uwaterloo.ca/strategic-vision/) is the strategic vision that reinvents the culture of our institution to build a better future.

The University of Waterloo is seeking internationally renowned scholars and researchers to apply to be nominated for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html) program. Two maximum award values: $1 Million per year, or $500K per year for eight years, with potential for a four year renewal. Appointments to a variety of disciplines across the university are possible, but the fields of research must be aligned with one or more of following federal strategic priority areas (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html#4):

• 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/or
• defence and dual-use technologies.

Eligibility:
The Impact+ Research Chairs is a one-time program that offers eligible institutions the opportunity to nominate internationally renowned scholars and scientists as chairholders in areas of strategic importance to Canada. The nominees must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (residence and employment outside of Canada) at the time of application are eligible to apply.

The University of Waterloo requires nominees to have a PhD (or equivalent) and will be appointed in a University of Waterloo academic department/unit as a full professor or associate professor with a promotion to full professor within two years of starting their appointment, or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We acknowledge that research careers are not linear and that life circumstances—such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (including maternity or parental leave, caregiving leaves, chronic illness or disability, and COVID-19-related impacts)—can affect the pace and nature of research contributions. The assessment process will take these circumstances into careful consideration, and nominees are invited to provide relevant context to ensure their achievements are evaluated fairly and equitably.

The candidate will propose an innovative program of high-quality research relating to one or more of the eight federal priority areas listed above that will attract external funding and excellent graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. A successful record of research funding is required. Ability and desire to partner with faculty in closely related fields at the University of Waterloo and externally, is expected. Duties include research, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, service to the unit, and the supervision of graduate students.

Successful nominees for this program will be expected to start their position, on a full-time basis, within 12 months of the acceptance by the chairholder. For more details on eligibility requirements, see the Government of Canada’s Program Information (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html#11) page, as well as general guidance applicable for the Impact+ program at Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Canada 150 Research Chairs Administration Guide (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/admin_guide-guide_administration-eng.aspx#1.6).

Applications:
Applicants must upload their information to the Canada Impact+ Chair position in our online portal at the following link: on https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca.
• cover letter (including identification of one or more federal strategic priority areas in the subject line);
• curriculum vitae;
• teaching statement of 3-5 pages;
• research statement of 3-5 pages (include statements on how research results could be shared and applied in practices, policies, products and/or services);
• a list of five publications that are aligned with the identified priority areas (appended to the research statement).
• three referees (letters will only be requested if invited for interview).

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous).

The University of Waterloo values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically undervalued and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

As part of the application, applicants are required to complete a confidential self-identification form. This form is found here: https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08RcdJzz6YAh4TX. The information disclosed through this form will be kept strictly confidential and will be aligned with identity and equity data best practices, and university policy. The information will only be used in alignment with the Impact + Chairs Program goals. Further information can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html#10.

The University of Waterloo has an Indigenous Verification Process to ensure that claims of Indigenous identity are made with integrity and respect. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to engage in this process in accordance with University guidelines.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for people with disabilities. If you have any application or interview accommodation requests, please contact [email protected]. For any other workplace accommodation requests please contact Karen at Occupational Health ([email protected]). At all phases of the recruitment, we will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while maintaining confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, eligibility, or the program, visit: https://uwaterloo.ca/research/find-and-apply-funding/find-funding/canada-impact-research-chairs-program-university-waterloo

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.

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