Canada Impact+ Research Chair

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers not currently residing in Canada to address critical national and global challenges. Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.

The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional supports that 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. Impact+ chairholders will drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, and develop the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

Unity Health Toronto Invites Applications For Full-time, Faculty Positions To Advance Transformational Research Programs That Support The Growth Of The Canadian Economy In The Following Priority Areas

• Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, 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

Research activities must also align with one or more of the four pillars of world-class research and innovation established in our Research Strategic Plan In particular, we are interested in recruiting international leaders in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), multiple sclerosis or other types of neurodegeneration, critical care, trauma, health equity, fibrosis, suicide and depression, healthy aging, or knowledge translation.

The nominee's research area must demonstrably align with one or more of the categories listed above. Two maximum awards values: $1 million per year or $500K per year.

Appointments will be at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with an anticipated start date between September 2026 and July 2027. While primary appointments will be held at Unity Health Toronto, cross-appointments will be made to an appropriate University of Toronto academic department/unit.

Successful candidates will have an established, excellent, innovative and internationally recognized research trajectory and an outstanding, independent, externally funded research program. The candidate's record of excellence in research should be demonstrated by sustained contributions of substantial nature, such as publications in top-ranked and field-relevant academic journals and internationally ranked publications, participation in professional associations through conference presentations and service work, obtaining competitive funding sources, and strong endorsements by referees of high standing. In keeping with the program's objectives of research excellence and impact, successful candidates will have a strong record of research impact, including research translation, mobilization, and application with concrete economic and/or social benefits for a range of end users and others. The candidate will have a demonstrated record of teaching excellence, with a teaching program at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and experience as an effective supervisor and mentor of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments (including supervision of MSc and PhD students), strong letters of reference, and the teaching dossier and teaching statement submitted as part of the application. The University of Toronto requires that successful candidates must have a PhD.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to undertake undergraduate and graduate teaching at their discretion at the University of Toronto. The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community of world-class scholars at Canada's leading university. Unity Health Toronto and the University of Toronto offer a wide range of opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, the excitement of working with a highly diverse student population, and actively encourages innovative scholarship. The Greater Toronto Area offers amazing cultural and demographic diversity and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

The rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To be considered for this position, all application materials must be submitted to by
February 4th, 2026
.

Applications Must Include

• a letter of interest (max 3 pages) describing your qualifications, summary of proposed research plans for the next 8 years, and alignment with Unity Health priorities.
• A complete curriculum vitae (CV), not abbreviated), including professional services, outreach, mentoring and training of highly qualified personnel and other contributions appropriate to the specific Canada Impact+ Research Chair position.
• The names and contact information of three references.

Review of applications will begin on February 4th, 2026, and applicants should endeavor to have all required materials, including names and contact information of references, by this date. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, but only complete applications will be considered.

For more information about this specific opportunity, and/or if you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact Erica Conte, Director Funding Strategy and Stewardship ( ).

Unity Health Toronto recognizes that scholars have varying career paths, and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Search committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments. Moreover, Unity Health Toronto has endorsed the principles and committed the institution to comply with the recommendations of the DORA declaration (the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment). This entails that researchers' research results are assessed and evaluated for content and quality.

Statement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and welcome to be themselves, and where they are empowered to share different perspectives to inspire creativity and innovation. Unity Health Toronto encourages applications from qualified candidates, and we especially welcome applicants who are Indigenous, Black or Racialized, persons with disabilities, people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people in underrepresented communities are less likely to apply to jobs when they don't meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we still welcome you to apply.

Accommodation Policy:
Accommodations for disabilities will be provided, on request, to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any point of the application process, please contact