Canada Impact+ Research Chairs in Special crops- Plant Breeding/Genetics

anada Impact+ Research Chairs in Special crops- Plant Breeding/Genetics
Full Time, Tenured
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba
Position #: 37393, 37394.
Posting Start Date: January 23, 2026
Posting End Date: February 25, 2026
Expected start date of appointment: Within 12 months of the award date (September 2026).

The Department of Plant Science in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the University of Manitoba invites applications for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in plant breeding and genetics of special crops, with an emphasis on sunflowers. 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 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 will be to lead a plant breeding, genomics, and genetics program on special crops, with particular emphasis on sunflowers. The research program must include an emphasis on the genetics, genomics and breeding of sunflower for Manitoba and western Canada. While this is a research-intensive position, the successful candidate will also contribute to educating undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, and research associates, through teaching and mentorship in the Department of Plant Science, and participate in academic service activities to the Department, the Faculty, or University. Teaching experience in plant breeding, genetics, genomics and related areas is an asset.

The successful applicant will have internationally recognized expertise and a productive research record in sunflower genetics, genomics, and quantitative breeding as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, and successful research grant funding. A demonstrated excellence in training of highly qualified personnel, and of developing collaborations with agricultural industries is required. Experience in knowledge mobilization and commercialization pathways are highly preferred.

The successful applicant will have access to core resources within the faculty, including the Ian N. Morrison Research Farm, a 406-acre facility located in Carman (70 km southwest of Winnipeg), the Glenlea Research Station, a 1,000-acre facility (20 km south of Winnipeg), the Point Research Station (Fort Garry Campus), controlled growth facilities, the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, and other internal and external research facilities.

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 Plant Science and University of Manitoba
The Department of Plant Science, established in 1937, consists of 14 Academics (seven Full Professors, five Associate Professors, and two Assistant Professors). One of the faculty members serves as the Jarislowsky Chair in Natural Systems Agriculture for Climate Solutions. Two other faculty members hold industrially-funded research chairs in Integrated Crop Protection and Potato Sustainability, respectively. The Department also has twelve Adjunct Professors and two Agronomists in Residence who contribute to undergraduate teaching and participate in graduate students’ committees. The Department is research intensive, and research areas include sustainable cropping systems, agronomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant breeding, genetics and cultivar development. Research output has been robust and consistent over the years and recognized at national and international levels. The unit offers both Ph.D. and M.Sc. programs and enrollment to the programs has been consistent over the years. Most of the academics contribute to graduate teaching, with courses reflecting the areas of research specialization. Interdisciplinarity and a combination of fundamental and applied research are the main strengths of the department with students being exposed to a variety of research areas. Academics are proactive and successful in collaborating with private companies, commodity groups, government agencies, and other academic institutions, providing students with many research opportunities.

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 2024-2024 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 number 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 Heather Wiebe at [email protected].

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 February 22, 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 Janique Philippe, [email protected] 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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