Canada Research Chair(Tier1) in Physical Activity & Health in Children/Youth with Chronic Conditions

The College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is pleased to invite applications for a tenured Tier 1 Canada Research Chair appointment in Physical Activity, Health, and Wellness in Children and Youth with Chronic Conditions. The Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program is the flagship of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca).

Position Overview

The candidate for the Tier 1 CRC must be an outstanding and innovative world-class researcher, recognized internationally as a leader, whose accomplishments have made a major impact in the field of physical activity and health in children and youth with chronic conditions.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead an innovative research program focused on developing evidence-based physical activity guidelines for children and youth with chronic conditions.
• Collaborate with community partners, schools, parents/guardians, public health and healthcare professionals, and other groups who support children and youth with chronic conditions.
• Disseminate research findings to transform the lives of children and youth by improving management of chronic conditions, social integration, and overall health and well-being.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead an innovative research program focused on developing evidence-based physical activity guidelines for children and youth with chronic conditions.
• Collaborate with community partners, schools, parents/guardians, public health and healthcare professionals, and other groups who support children and youth with chronic conditions.
• Disseminate research findings to transform the lives of children and youth by improving management of chronic conditions, social integration, and overall health and well-being.

Impact: This role has the potential to significantly improve the lives of children and youth with chronic conditions through aiding in chronic condition management, social integration, and optimizing overall health and well-being.

Overview of the College of Kinesiology
The College of Kinesiology is committed to the scholarship of discovering, preserving, teaching, and applying knowledge as it pertains to human movement, active living, and healthy lifestyles. The College is a research-intensive unit (https://kinesiology.usask.ca/research/welcome.php) in both the physical and psychological domains, including being renowned for longitudinal growth and development studies (https://kinesiology.usask.ca/research/areas-of-expertise-pages/growth-development/growth-development.php) and as an emerging leader in Indigenous wellness research. The College has many successful ongoing collaborations with Indigenous communities, school divisions, local and provincial sport organizations, hospitals, not for profit organizations and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The successful candidate will have access to the College’s world-class research facilities including the Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Centre (https://kinesiology.usask.ca/research/facilitiespage/Graham%20SSHC.php), as well as spaces utilized for ceremony and extensive recreation and high-performance sport research. Resources such as these provide an environment for faculty that is conducive to the development of high-quality research programs and delivery of excellent graduate and undergraduate student instruction.

The College is an active and valuable member of the University’s Health Sciences Colleges with a history of interdisciplinary research as evidenced by inter-college, inter-university, international collaborations, and multidisciplinary tri-council funding success. As one of the only direct entry opportunities for undergraduate students interested in the health sciences, the College plays a valuable role in offering many students their first experience in a health sciences field.

The successful candidate will maintain an externally funded research program, supervise graduate students and collaborate with research partners across the College, University and beyond. The successful candidate will also teach within the College’s academic programs and undertake relevant administrative and collegial activities. The College offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology (B.Sc. Kin. and B.Sc. Kin. – Hon.), a combined degree B.Sc. Kin/B.Ed, (with the College of Education), and thriving graduate programs at the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels. There is significant demand for admission into our programs, which attracts high quality students from across the province and beyond. This CRC faculty position provides an opportunity to grow our faculty complement and contribute to strategic priorities such as equity, diversity and inclusion (https://policies.usask.ca/policies/equity/equity-diversity-inclusion.php) and the College of Kinesiology’s Strategic Plan (https://issuu.com/usaskkinesiology/docs/strat_plan_-_final_printcopy_/1?ff&e=35885798/66213211). The College has also made a commitment to foster reconciliation and focus on a wholistic approach to expand the understanding and practice of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and concepts of innovation. Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty members collaborate with community as part of this commitment.

The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities, with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities, that offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 25,000. Its main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Located on the banks of the kisiskāciwani-sīpiy (also known as the South Saskatchewan River), the University of Saskatchewan is part of a millennia-long tradition of people gathering on these banks to teach, to learn, and to build community.

Saskatchewan is an ideal location for this CRC as its urban, rural, and remote populations will require innovative strategies tailored to their unique place-based challenges, namely access to health services, sports and leisure infrastructure, cultural factors, and seasonal challenges. Additionally, the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community, and a full range of leisure opportunities.

Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced scholarly colleague with a doctoral degree in kinesiology, public health, or a related discipline. They will have a research track record in an area related to physical activity, health, and wellness in children and youth with chronic conditions.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate excellence in research through academic recognition, impactful publications, successful partnerships, trainee achievements, and impressive external research funding. High-quality teaching at the graduate level and engaging with the public and relevant communities are also important facets of the CRC.

Tier 1 Chairs are intended for outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have had a major impact in their field and are recognized internationally as leaders in their field. Please consult the CRC website (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3) for eligibility details or contact the University of Saskatchewan’s Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) unit for more information ([email protected]). The impact of leaves (e.g., parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record of research achievement. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted their research record.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. Once the chair appointment is approved by the CRC Secretariat, the candidate will be appointed as a tenured faculty member in the College of Kinesiology at the Associate Professor or Professor level.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace. The candidate must be a member of one of the four federally designated equity groups (women and gender equity-seeking groups, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities). Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/index-eng.aspx) and by the strong commitment of the University of Saskatchewan and the College of Kinesiology to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting employees in need of accommodation in an employment context. For more information about the University of Saskatchewan’s accommodation policy, please contact Michelle Neufeld, Human Resources Strategic Business Advisor ([email protected]).

A competitive salary commensurate with experience and appointment will be negotiated. Following a successful CRC nomination, a stipend with funding for identified infrastructure and training needs will be provided. This position features a comprehensive benefits package, including a dental, health, and extended vision care plan; pension plan; life insurance (compulsory and voluntary); long-term disability and sick leave; travel insurance; death benefits; employee assistance program; professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

Application Details
Applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. However, the review of applications will commence in February 2025, and the anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.
Applications from all outstanding candidates, including international researchers, permanent residents of Canada, and Canadian citizens are encouraged. Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

Interested and qualified candidates must include the following documents in a single PDF file:
• a cover letter outlining your research program as it relates to the focus of the position as described above;
• a detailed curriculum vitae;
• a description of your research program indicating both short and long term priorities;
• a teaching statement that includes a focus on mentoring and supervision of students (please also provide evidence of teaching);
• an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) statement (including evidence of contributions to this area);
• contact information (names, addresses, phone and email addresses) of three academic referees.

Applications must be submitted using the University’s Applicant Tracking System. Click on the “Apply Now” button (top left of page). Visit here (https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php) for tips on applying and instructions on how to apply. As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to complete a voluntary employment equity survey.

For questions related to this position or the selection process, please contact: Dr. Dani Brittain, Dean of the College of Kinesiology, [email protected].

Department: College of Kinesiology
Date Posted: 1/14/2025

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments, and we are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin taapwaywin tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy (https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/deybwewin-taapwaywin-tapwewin.php) and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

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