Director, Cross-Border Institute and Ontario Research Chair on Cross-Border Policy

Position # 002675RC-2026-VPRI

The University of Windsor invites applications from qualified and motivated candidates for the position of Ontario Research Chair in Cross-Border Policy and Director of the Cross-Border Institute for a five-year renewable term, commencing as early as July 1, 2026. This opportunity is open to appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor level (tenure-track) seeking to advance cross-border policy research and leverage Windsor’s strategic border location as a living laboratory for research on trade, policy, health, and shared prosperity—bridging insights and driving initiatives across borders. This is a faculty position with flexible department and faculty affiliation based on the expertise of the successful candidate.

This hire aligns with the University of Windsor strategic plan, Aspire: Together for Tomorrow, ratified Spring 2023. The University embraces a people-first philosophy grounded in a culture of academic excellence and deep belonging. Among key strategic priorities are advancing the journey towards truth and reconciliation; building a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive university; ensuring a high-quality teaching, learning, and student experience; engaging in impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity; fostering a safe, welcoming, and sustainable campus; and engaging in local and global partnerships. The University has already made significant strides on many of these key files, and we are seeking applicants interested in working alongside us to advance them even further. Driven by the University’s commitment to anti-racism, the Black Scholars Institute was established in 2023 supported by a historic cohort hiring initiative that has brought thirteen Black scholars to UWindsor across several of our faculties.

In pursuit of the University’s commitment to employment equity, members from the designated groups including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity are encouraged to apply and to self-identify.

For an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Faculty Recruitment Coordinator (recruit@uwindsor.ca). Should you require further information on accommodation, please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation (http://www.uwindsor.ca/ohrcrm).

Our campus is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. We are making steady progress on the Indigenization of academic programming, an Indigenous Strategic plan, and a cohort hire of Indigenous faculty in 2018-19 followed by additional hiring. Our students mirror the extraordinary cultural richness of our region, one of the most diverse in all of Canada. And we have strong global partnerships and commitments, which are reflected in the increasing number of graduate and undergraduate students we attract from across the world. The University is a signatory to the Scarborough Charter and participates in the Federal 50/30 Challenge.

The University of Windsor is a Canadian public, comprehensive research university enrolling 16,000 students, including 4,000 graduate students. It offers more than 280 academic programs and certificates, including 70 master’s and doctoral degrees across its nine faculties: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Human Kinetics; Law; Nursing; and Science. It also houses a medical program through the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. Tenured and tenure-track faculty number about 600.
Position details

This dual role offers an excellent opportunity for the Ontario Research Chair to advance scholarship in cross-border policy, particularly in the context of Canada–U.S. relations. Positioned at the intersection of political science, business, health, economics, and/or trade, the research Chair focuses on transnational governance, regulatory alignment, and/or integrated supply chains. The Research Chair supports deeper analysis of how cross-border policy frameworks shape economic competitiveness, trade resilience, and bilateral cooperation—areas critical to regional stability and shared prosperity across the Canada–U.S. border in an increasingly interconnected and contested North American economy.

As Director, the Chair leads the Cross-Border Institute, a Senate-approved research institute that plays a central role in advancing cross-border scholarship and fostering practical solutions to current issues. In this role, the Chair leverages Windsor’s strategic border location to integrate and bring together researchers and partners focused on fields related to cross-border studies and build upon the University’s interdisciplinary research and innovation capacity and relationships internally and externally. The Institute has significant potential to conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research on cross-border challenges and opportunities, promoting policy development in areas such as transportation and trade, environment and sustainability, health and well-being, transnational governance and security, and cultural and social ties. Its work emphasizes efficient governance, regulatory coordination, workforce mobility, small to medium enterprises engagement, public health, and community well-being to ensure measurable outcomes and sustainable impacts for cities and communities on both sides of the border.

Extending cross-border research, scholarship, and creative activity, the Chair/Director will leverage synergies across key sectors—including health, maritime, and agriculture—by collaborating with University of Windsor research institutes and clusters such as the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, WE-SPARK Health Institute, the World Health Innovation Network (WIN), the Supply Chain Advancement Network in Health (SCAN), the Black Scholars Institute, and the United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development–Detroit-Windsor. These partnerships will help address current and emerging sectoral and societal challenges—including security, sustainability, supply chains, and health—while recognizing Windsor’s strategic location and the critical role of the port and other sector partners within an increasingly integrated international transportation hub and regional agricultural economy.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, the Director of the Cross-Border Institute will be responsible for the overall vision, leadership, and management of the Institute. This role includes:

• developing and implementing a strategic plan that positions the Cross-Border Institute for growth and leadership in the field;
• fostering bold and impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity related to cross-border issues across disciplines;
• bringing together researchers, policymakers, trainees, and other key stakeholders to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams to address and innovate real-world solutions to issues impacting our borders;
• developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with local, national, and international organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions to position the Cross-Border Institute to lead knowledge development and impact related to borders;
• managing cross-border projects and initiatives and ensuring their successful implementation with measurable outcomes and impacts;
• working closely with internal and external partners to secure external funding and support research, policy, and practice and promote knowledge mobilization affecting real-world outcomes; and
• overseeing the Institute’s budget, resources, and staff.

The ideal candidate will have:

• a successful academic, research, and administrative track record related to cross-border policy research with an international reputation;
• exemplary leadership skills to guide the Institute through a period of transformation;
• previous experience working with both Canadian and U.S. institutions and partners (community, industry, and government); and
• a proven record of building and strengthening partnerships with other researchers, various levels of government, and research institutes, with measurable outcomes and impacts.

Compensation:

Associate Professor $117,799-$167,799
Professor $125,628 (minimum for the rank)

This is within the 2026-2027 salary range for the rank as outlined in Article A Table A.1 of the current Collective Agreement with the Windsor University Faculty Association. The compensation offered to the successful candidate will take into consideration their experience and existing salary structure. A full range of benefits including a pension plan and medical benefits are available to the successful candidate.
 
Application Requirements

• a letter of application, including a statement confirming eligibility to work in Canada;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a statement highlighting relevant qualifications and experiences related to cross-border research and partnerships, their vision and strategic direction for the Institute, and alignment with the University of Windsor’s strategy.
• three (3) contacts for references. These referees will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates.

The short-listed candidates may be invited to provide further information in support of their applications. To ensure full consideration, complete an online application (http://www.uwindsor.ca/facultypositions) found on the job advertisement by February 28, 2026. Applications may be considered after the deadline date; however, acceptance of late submissions is at the discretion of the appointments committee.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

Any questions may be sent to:

Dr. Shanthi Johnson, Vice-President, Research and Innovation,
Tel: (519) 253-3000 Ext. 5003,
E-mail: vpri@uwindsor.ca

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