Canada Impact+ Research Chairs – Multiple Disciplines

In accordance with the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs guidelines, this recruitment process is to nominate individuals for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs, the Emerging Leaders awards, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs and the Canada Research Chairs programs. This process meets the recruiting and nominating requirements for all these programs.

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a very prestigious, one-time initiative designed to support universities in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program is aimed at advancing ambitious and transformative projects in areas of strategic importance to Canada, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. The expectation for Impact+ chairholders is to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while training the next generation of highly qualified personnel. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact.

Impact+ Chairs are awarded to address global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits. Impact+ Chairs are expected to build significant new partnerships and collaborations with both Canadian and international entities, as well as by and with Indigenous peoples and communities, where appropriate. A core expectation is that the Chairs will actively translate and mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

uOttawa is seeking world-leading researchers in the following strategic priority areas established by the Government of Canada:

• 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; and/or
• defence and dual-use technologies.

The Impact+ recruitment process consists of two stages. Initially, candidates apply to an open job posting at uOttawa. The successful candidate will then work with the uOttawa to co-develop an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to an Impact+ university position is contingent upon receiving an Impact+ Chair award. Impact+ Chair awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award. The term is for eight years, with funding of either $8 million or $4 million over the duration, with the possibility of a four-year extension at 50% of the initial award value per year.

Note that this recruitment process is also being used to nominate individuals for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders awards, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) and the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) programs. The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader awards each are $600,000 over six years ($100,000 per year). The CERC program includes two maximum award values of $8M over eight years ($1M per year) and $4M over eight years ($500,000 per year). The Canada Research Chairs Program includes two maximum award values of $1.4M over seven years ($200,000 per year) and $500,000 over five years ($100,000 per year) plus $100,000 in research stipend over five years ($20,000 per year).

uOttawa is amongst Canada's top research-intensive institutions of higher learning. In 2024, uOttawa ranked seventh in Canada for sponsored research income, securing nearly $513M and placed fifth in research intensity, with $386,900 per faculty member (Research Infosource). Renowned for pioneering discoveries across multiple disciplines, several of our research centers and institutes rank among the top 100 globally, including the top six in Canada.

Located in Canada’s vibrant capital, uOttawa, proud to be the world’s largest bilingual (English and French) university, is minutes away from federal and other government institutions, several national agencies, embassies, international organizations, and connected to the thriving high-tech sector. We are committed to building partnerships across Canada and internationally, and fostering innovation and knowledge mobilization in areas of significant social and economic impact.

Cutting-edge research is a core aspiration of Transformation 2030, uOttawa's strategic plan. To fulfill these commitments, uOttawa is seeking the top-tier of world class scholars for the 2026 Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition. These positions will fit with uOttawa’s four Strategic Areas of Research: 1) Enabling lifelong health and wellness; 2) Shaping the digital world; 3) Advancing just societies; and 4) Creating a sustainable environment.

Located on the ancestral land of the Algonquin people, uOttawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from individuals from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and individuals from LGBTQ2+ communities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively implement equity measures that ensure and retain diverse teams and promote inclusive practices for research team members.

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

For questions, please email: chaires_chairs@uottawa.ca

Ad posted on December 17, 2025.