Canada Impact+ Research Chairs at Simon Fraser University - Associate or Full Professor

Simon Fraser University invites applications for Associate or Full Professor position(s) in multiple disciplines.

Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada’s engaged university, is a leading research university advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Designated Canada’s top comprehensive university in the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings, SFU has ten faculties and 37,000 students. It is also home to Western Canada’s first new Medical School in 50 years, which will begin admitting students in 2026. SFU is one of Canada's fastest-growing research universities, with its sponsored research income reaching over $275 million in 2025.

With three campuses located in beautiful British Columbia’s largest municipalities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—our students, faculty and staff are privileged to live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territories of the xmθkym (Musqueam), Swxwú7meshÚxwumixw (Squamish), slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh), qícy (Katzie), kikm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen Peoples. SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

SFU invites applications from world‑leading researchers for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs
. Impact+ Chairs will receive long‑term funding and support to lead bold, transformative research in Canada’s priority areas, build exceptional teams, and collaborate across sectors and borders. Chair holders are expected to translate discoveries into real‑world applications and benefits, and to train the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

This program provides an opportunity to nominate internationally renowned scholars and scientists as chair holders in areas of strategic importance to Canada. The nominees must have an active recent track record of exceptional research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada.

Impact+ Chairs are valued at up to $8 million or $4 million over eight years, with a possibility of a four‑year 50% funded extension to support their research programs and teams. Successful awardees may also apply for up to $6 million for research infrastructure from the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund
.

Full program details can be found on the program’s website:

Applicants must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one to two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, applicants must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) are eligible to be nominated.

The Impact+ Chairs program uses a two‑stage process: applicants first apply to this position for internal review, after which selected candidates will be supported by SFU to prepare a nomination, including a proposed research program, for submission to the Impact+ Chairs program. The nomination is expected to be submitted in March or June 2026. SFU will provide substantial support in the preparation and development of the program application including project management, budget planning, proposal development and editing.

If successful, Impact+ Chair awardees will also receive substantial support for their research programs and for administration of the grant.

In addition to the Impact+ Chairs nomination process, successful candidates will be appointed to a faculty position (Associate Professor or Professor) in an appropriate academic department/school/faculty at SFU, as early as Fall 2026. Procedures and processes have been established to permit non‑Canadian chair holders, and in some cases members of the chair’s team, to work in Canada.

Applicants may also be considered for Canada Research Chairs (Tier
1), Canada Excellence Research Chairs (valued at $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year, over eight years), and endowed chairs at…