Canada Excellence Research Chair – Professor; or Associate Professor – University

Canada Excellence Research Chair – Professor (or Associate Professor)

It’s your time to shine! It’s your time to shine! Work where the world comes to create, discover and learn. We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university.

In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada’s top small cities.

The University of Lethbridge invites applications from world‑leading researchers for the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) competition. The CERC program provides an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at the University of Lethbridge and to contribute to Canada’s excellence in research and innovation.

We are the third largest research‑intensive University in Alberta, ranked in the top 8% worldwide according to research performance (Centre for World University Rankings, 2023‑2024), and consistently place among the top ranks in our peers.

Professor

The University of Lethbridge invites applications for the CERC 2026 Competition. Applicants must be full Professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within 1–2 years of nomination.

• Rural and Regional Maternal and Child Health – research topics aligned with the One Child Every Child CFREF program, including community‑based interventions, Indigenous wellness sciences, brain health, genomics, recruitment and retention of health care providers, and innovative health and medical education.
• Agriculture and Global Change – research topics including food security, ecosystem health, natural resource management, global change politics, integrated supply chains, species at risk, agricultural technology, etc.

It is anticipated that up to 2 candidates will be selected for CERC positions.

• Two‑stage application: first apply to the open job posting at the university; second stage involves developing a CERC program application.
• The university will provide substantial support (budget planning, proposal development and editing).
• Parallel to this is appointment to an academic position per the University of Lethbridge Academic Staff Collective Agreement.
• Awarded Chairs valued at $500,000 or $1 million per year for 8 years (non‑renewable). Final award value decided upon selection.

• Full professor or associate professor expected to be promoted within 1–2 years.
• Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Globally competitive research track record.
• Demonstrated leadership and successful mentorship of diverse students and personnel.
• Ability to establish an equitable, inclusive research environment.

Successful candidates will be appointed to a faculty member in an appropriate Department, School, or Faculty as early as spring 2027. Duties include research, teaching, and service.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter that identifies:
• Start‑up funding, infrastructure, and space requirements.
• A comprehensive CERC vision statement and research plan no longer than 5 pages, including:
• Overview of the proposed research program, knowledge mobilization, and innovation activities.
• Contribution and fit to the research ecosystem in Canada and internationally.
• A statement no longer than 3 pages emphasizing research mentorship, teaching philosophy, and experiences in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, plus a plan for creating a safe, inclusive research environment.
• The names and email addresses of five potential arm‑s length referees who will provide letters of recommendation.

Application review begins on 1 June 2025. Position will remain open until filled. Submission.