Canada Impact+ Research Chair, Western University

Western University (London, Canada) invites world-leading researchers to apply for one of several prestigious Canada Impact+ Research Chair opportunities.

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 tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada's strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. 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. The awards provide an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to return to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at Western University and to contribute to Canada's excellence in research and innovation.

The nomination is a two-stage process where applicants first apply to this job posting. Successful applicants identified at this stage will then work with our institution to submit a nomination to the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition. The university will support successful nominees throughout the development of their applications. Following a highly competitive selection process, the program awards successful applicants and their teams either $8 million or $4 million over 8 years to establish ambitious research programs at the nominating university, with a potential for a four-year extension at 50% of the initial per annum award value. There are two award values to recognize the varying costs of research within different research disciplines and strives to be inclusive of all areas of research.

Research Alignment

Western anticipates nominating up to twelve candidates for Impact+ Research Chair positions, based on award value. Applications from outstanding established scholars are welcomed in the following eight 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

- Defence and Dual-Use Technologies

Please see the full job description available at this website:

https://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/careers/pdf/ad-canada-impact-chairs-2025-FINAL.pdf

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee and must include the following:

1. Completed Canada Impact+ Research Chair Application.

2. Cover letter that also identifies which of the eight strategic priority areas align with your research.

3. Detailed curriculum vitae.

4. A plan identifying the proposed research program, including how you embed equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in your research, and how your research will contribute to knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results. (Maximum five pages)

5. Highlights of your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan. (Maximum two pages)

6. A statement of your teaching and mentoring philosophies. (Maximum two pages)

7. The names and email addresses of three references.

The application should be submitted as a single PDF file to:
impactplus2026@groups.uwo.ca

Review of applications will begin on January 19, 2026, and continue until the nominations are filled.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the application and recruitment process. If you require accommodations, please contact Sherri Castrilli at impactplus2026@groups.uwo.ca.

In accordance with the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program, candidates must be top-tier researchers whose accomplishments have major societal impact and who are recognized internationally as leaders. Societal impact may include translation and mobilization of the candidate's research to knowledge users including evidence of commercialization and job creation, publications for non-academic audiences or policy consultations that lead to advancements in best practices, and collaborative partnerships that advance partner mandates. Candidates must be full professors (or equivalent) or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within two years of starting the chair appointment. If they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels.

Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the application deadline are eligible to apply.

In accordance with Western's faculty hiring requirements, successful candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent (e.g., JSD, MD, DDS, with relevant professional designation or licensure) in a discipline appropriate to the field of research, be engaged in a program of research, and have a demonstrated record of excellence in scholarly research and teaching. Assessment of candidates will be based primarily on the candidate's capacity for fostering strategic partnerships across sectors (including industry, government, health systems, and not-for-profit organizations), and research excellence and leadership, as reflected in the quality of peer-reviewed publications, success at securing research support, evidence of knowledge mobilization and impact, and demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing research teams. The assessment will also consider how the candidate embeds equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in their research and team composition and the candidate's teaching and mentoring record and philosophy.

Successful candidates will be appointed as a full-time tenured faculty member, to an appropriate department, School, or Faculty. Duties will include research, teaching and service. Successful nominees will be expected to start their position at Western, on a full-time basis, within 12 months of accepting the award. Exceptional candidates who are unsuccessful in an Impact+ Research Chair competition at the national level may be considered as a nominee for a Canada Research Chair or a Western Research Chair, as available. Outstanding applications by renowned applicants may be considered for tenured positions in the appropriate department/Faculty.

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