Canada Excellence Research Chair

This position is part of the BUFA (Employee Group)Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive Brock has been recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara for seven consecutive years. We have been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. For 2025, Brock has been proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture, ranked seventh by Forbes in partnership with Statista. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.Post End Date:February 15, 2026About the CERC programBrock University welcomes applications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Healthy Development Across the Lifespan for consideration as a nominee to the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition.The is one of Canada’s most prestigious and well-funded research initiatives, designed to help Canadian universities attract and retain the world’s top research talent. Successful nominees and their teams receive either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, depending on the nature and costs of the proposed research program.CERCs support world-leading, high-impact research aligned with the . The CERC program builds critical mass in key areas of expertise, advances science and technology development, and strengthens Canada’s global research reputation while generating social and economic benefits for Canadians.The CERC recruitment process is multi-staged. Interested applicants must first apply to this institutional posting. Selected candidates will work closely with Brock University to co-develop and submit a full nomination package to the 2026 CERC competition. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the .Brock University is committed to supporting the selected candidate in a full nomination to the CERC program. Appointment to a faculty position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor is contingent upon the outcome of the CERC nomination. CERC nominations are subject to review and final approval through the CERC program. Benefits associated with Chair appointments include teaching release and start-up research funds. If research infrastructure is required, candidates may also apply to the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), in alignment with CERC timelines. For more information, visit the . For questions about Brock’s CERC process, please contact Tyler Weaver ().About the PositionThe Faculty of Social Sciences and the Lifespan Development Research Institute invite applications from world-leading researchers for a in at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (subject to qualifications), tenured, to commence May 1, 2027.This CERC addresses one of Canada’s most pressing challenges: advancing the mental, physical, and social well-being of individuals across the lifespan within increasingly diverse, complex and changing environments. The successful candidate will lead an internationally competitive, high-impact research program that advances understanding of the psychological, social, physiological and/or neural mechanisms underlying developmental processes and their links to physical and mental health across the lifespan. The CERC is designed to attract a global research leader whose scholarship and knowledge mobilization expertise will drive external investment, foster collaborative local, national, and international partnerships, and strengthen meaningful community engagement.Brock University offers a strong and well-established foundation in lifespan research, with 90 active researchers spanning psychology, physiology, neuroscience, education, health sciences, sports science, and social contexts. The CERC will be a core member of Brock’s Lifespan Development Research Institute, a vibrant interdisciplinary hub that connects scholars across the Faculties of Social Sciences, Applied Health Sciences, Business, and Education. Brock University also is strategically located within a short drive of a dense cluster of research-intensive universities in southern Ontario, facilitating collaboration networks.The CERC will hold a primary appointment in a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences (, Psychology or Child and Youth Studies) with a possible cross-appointment to departments such as Kinesiology or Health Sciences, depending on the candidate’s expertise.The CERC aligns with two national : Healthy People and Populations and Innovative and Resilient Communities. We particularly welcome candidates whose research examines how psychological, social, physiological or neural mechanisms shape how individuals develop, adapt, and thrive in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, or aging populations.Qualifications Applicants must have a (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, which is a requirement of Brock University for this position. CERC nominees must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. The successful candidate will be a recognized national and international leader in lifespan development, bringing an outstanding record of research excellence and impact. We are open to a diverse range of methodological approaches. In addition to research leadership, applicants must demonstrate a sustained commitment to the training and development of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are also invited to describe their contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (, inclusive mentorship, accessible teaching, equitable team practices, community partnership, etc.).Brock UniversityBrock University is committed to building inclusivity and equity through understanding and respect for diverse identities. These commitments are reflected in our approaches to teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, administration and service provision, and community engagement. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in the recognition that the strongest research, scholarship, and creative activity and the best research training environment require engagement of scholars from diverse backgrounds.Consistent with , in recognition of and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Indigenous peoples, members of racialized groups (including Black people), people with disabilities, women, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of one or more designated groups as part of their application. Please note this information will be securely accessed for the fulfillment of this hiring initiative and to ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s CERC program.Brock University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are expected to have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Where this is relevant, candidates are invited to share details they would like to have taken into consideration in their cover letter. Please visit the for examples of circumstances that may impact an applicant’s record of achievement.Faculty of Social SciencesThe Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) is a vibrant community of internationally renowned researchers and scholars, award-winning teachers, dedicated staff and experienced academic advisors. As the largest Faculty at Brock University, we offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and provide multiple avenues to learning, research, community engagement, and career development. The Faculty of Social Sciences is home of 10 academic Departments and one Centre. The Faculty is a dynamic and vibrant academic environment with 177 faculty members, 43 staff, nearly 5000 undergraduate students, and over 400 graduate students. Please see: Lifespan Development Research InstituteThe Lifespan Development Research Institute is a multidisciplinary collaborative effort dedicated to studying human development across the lifespan. The Institute involves 90 faculty members representing Social Sciences, Applied Health Sciences, Education, and Business, as well as 40 community agencies, who collaborate to investigate psychological, social, health, neurophysiological and educational aspects of life from infancy to old age. The Institute , observation rooms, interview and testing rooms, as well as meeting rooms. are important parts of our mandate and we work to make our research openly available in a variety of formats.Application Process and Timeline: