Concordia University – Canada Impact+ Research Chairs 2026

Position Description

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a one-time tri-agency initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and demonstrable impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to pursue ambitious, transformative projects aligned with Canada’s strategic priority areas, to build and sustain outstanding research teams, and to collaborate with partners across sectors and international boundaries. Chairholders are expected to translate discoveries into real-world applications, commercialization, and social and economic benefits for Canada and beyond, while also training the next generation of highly qualified personnel. The program provides an opportunity for international researchers—including Canadian expatriates—to come to Canada and lead a prominent research program at Concordia University, that transforms bold discoveries into innovative products, ideas, policies and solutions that benefit Canadians and the world.

Impact+ Chairs are awarded by the Government of Canada in defined strategic priority areas to address major global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s leadership in research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits. Chairholders are expected to establish significant new partnerships with Canadian and international collaborators across industry, health systems, government, not-for-profit organizations, and, where appropriate, Indigenous Peoples and communities, while actively translating research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable benefits for Canada and globally.

Applications must explain how the Chair will advance one or more of the following strategic priority areas:
• 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.

The nomination process has two stages. Applicants first apply through this job posting; those selected will then work with the University to submit a formal nomination to the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition, with institutional support provided throughout the application development. Following a highly competitive national selection process, successful nominees and their teams are awarded either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to establish ambitious research programs at the nominating university, with the possibility of a four-year extension at 50 per cent of the original annual award value. The two award levels reflect the differing costs of research across disciplines and are intended to ensure inclusivity across all areas of research.

Qualifications and Assets
• The Impact+ Chair program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality and is open to Canadians and non-Canadians alike; however, only those currently working outside Canada are eligible to apply. Successful applicants must relocate to Canada and work on the Concordia campus.
• Applicants must be full professors or associate professors. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, applicants must have the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels.
• Applicants must have an established, internationally renowned research profile with evidence of peer-recognized achievements, and the demonstrated ability to attract and mentor excellent graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Applicants should demonstrate a sustained, externally funded research program along with leadership skills that integrate research strengths, knowledge mobilization and generate measurable impact.
• Concordia University requires that applicants for this position have a PhD in a relevant field.
• Candidates must provide evidence for the potential for outstanding research impact with evidence of knowledge mobilization and demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing research teams, training, and teaching contributions and a demonstrated commitment to supporting equitable and inclusive research and learning environments.  
• Candidates whose applications are selected will be offered a conditional position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor and will work with the university to prepare the formal Impact+ nomination package according to the Impact+ program guidelines. Duties will include research, teaching and service. Successful nominees will be expected to start their position at Concordia University, on a full-time basis, within 12 months of accepting the award.

Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. Concordia University values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.

How to Apply

The application package should be addressed to Dr. Aaron Johnson, Associate Vice-President Strategic Institutional Initiatives and Innovation, and should be submitted via email to impactplus@concordia.ca by 19th January, 2026. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the positions are filled.
The complete application package should include:
1. Cover letter clearly identifying which of the eight strategic priority areas align with your research;
2. Detailed Curriculum vitae;
3. A plan describing the proposed research program, including the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, and outlining how the research will support knowledge translation, mobilization, and the application of results. (Maximum five pages);
4. Highlights of your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have generated social, economic and policy impacts (Maximum two pages);
5. Teaching statement and mentoring philosophy (Maximum two pages);
6. Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) statement (Maximum one page);
7. Names and email addresses for three referees.

Concordia University is strongly committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we ask all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, along with their lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to conduct research and teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society.
All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a brief equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group may do so in their cover letter or by directly contacting Dr. Mark Villacorta at the Equity Office (equity@concordia.ca).

Adaptive Measures

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Dr. Mark Villacorta, Senior Equity Advisor: equity@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 4875.

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