UWindsor Impact+ Research Chair

The University of Windsor invites applications from outstanding researchers for nomination to the Canadas Impact Research Chair Program a federal initiative designed to attract and support exceptional research leaders whose work delivers measurable social economic environmental and health impacts aligned with national priorities.
The Impact Research Chair Program supports researchers with a demonstrated track record of translating research excellence into real-world outcomes through strong partnerships innovation and community or industry engagement.

The Impact Research Chairs will contribute to advance the following priority areas:
Advanced digital technologies (including AI 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
Defence and dual-use technologies.

Eligibility
The Impact Program enables eligible institutions to nominate internationally renowned scholars and scientists in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Eligible nominees must be internationally basedboth working and residing outside of Canadaat the time of the application deadline and must demonstrate a strong recent record of research excellence along with a clear commitment to making significant contributions to Canada.

Nominees must be qualified to hold an appointment at the associate or full professor level or possess equivalent qualifications if recruited from outside the academic sector. Successful nominees will be expected to lead a major research program including directing research activities supervising personnel and coordinating governance and administration in partnership with the host institution.

Successful chairholders must take up their appointment on a full-time basis and commence their position at the Canadian host institution within 12 months of accepting the award. Nominees may not be simultaneously nominated for both the Impact Program and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program. Continuing eligibility requirements are governed by the relevant federal administration guidelines.

All applications will be assessed for their overall excellence and potential to make a significant impact on research and innovation in Canada. Evaluation will focus on the following criteria:
Impact Research Chairs must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to full professors within two years of the nomination.
Must be an outstanding and innovative world-class researcher with a demonstrated record of research excellence and leadership in their field.
Have superior records of attracting mentoring and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account disciplinary norms) and as chairholders be expected to attract develop and retain top-tier trainees students and future researchers.
Be proposing an original innovative research program of the highest quality with clear objectives feasibility and potential for transformative impact.
Demonstrate the potential to advance Canadas strategic research priorities and contribute significantly to the national and international research ecosystem.
Exhibit strong capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration knowledge translation and mobilization of research outcomes for real-world applications.
Show evidence of leadership in establishing partnerships with academic industry government or community stakeholders supporting broader impact beyond academia.

For more information regarding eligibility criteria and program information please consult the Canada Impact Research Chairs website ( Experience Statement
In pursuit of the Universitys commitment to employment equity members from the designated groups including women Indigenous Peoples (First Nations Métis Inuit) racialized persons/visible minorities persons with disabilities and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity are encouraged to apply and to self-identify. The lived experience of all applicants from equity groups will be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Compensation:
The salary range for the rank is outlined in Article A Table A.1 of the current Collective Agreement the Windsor University Faculty Association. The compensation offered to the successful candidate will take into consideration the existing salary structure. A full range of benefits including a pension plan and medical benefits are available to the successful candidate.

This hire aligns with the bold imperatives of the University of Windsor strategic plan Aspire: Together for Tomorrow launched in the Spring 2023. The University embraces a people-first philosophy grounded in a culture of academic excellence and deep belonging. Among key strategic priorities are advancing the journey towards truth and reconciliation; building a just equitable diverse and inclusive university; ensuring a high-quality teaching learning and student experience; engaging in impactful research scholarship and creative activity; fostering a safe welcoming and sustainable campus; and engaging in local and global partnerships. The University has already made significant strides on many of these key files and we are seeking applicants interested in working alongside us to advance them even further. Driven by the Universitys commitment to anti-racism the Black Scholars Institute was established in 2023 supported by a historic cohort hiring initiative that has brought thirteen Black scholars to UWindsor across several of our faculties. The recent cohort of new faculty joining the University (over 50) is among the most diverse in our history.

Our campus is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa the Odawa and the Potawatomi. We are making steady progress on the Indigenization of academic programming an Indigenous Strategic plan and a cohort hire of Indigenous faculty in 2018-19 followed by additional hiring. Our students mirror the extraordinary cultural richness of our region one of the most diverse in all of Canada. And we have strong global partnerships and commitments which are reflected in the increasing number of graduate and undergraduate students we attract from across the world. The University is a signatory to the Scarborough Charter and participates in the Federal 50/30 Challenge.

The University of Windsor is a Canadian public comprehensive research university enrolling 15676 students including 4709 graduate students. It offers more than 280 academic programs and certificates including 70 masters and doctoral degrees across its nine faculties: Arts Humanities and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Human Kinetics; Law; Nursing; and Science. It also houses a medical program through the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. Tenured and tenure-track faculty number about 600.

Application Requirements
a letter of application highlighting the priority area
a detailed and current curriculum vitae
a one-page statement of commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion Decolonization and Indigenization
a one-page statement of teaching philosophy experiences and innovative opportunities.
a research and innovation plan for the Impact Research Chair (describing the candidates research and a detailed proposal for research in the next eight years)
a list of referees (3-6) names and contact information only. Referees will not be contacted until the short-listing stage.

The short-listed candidates may be invited to provide further information in support of their applications. To ensure full consideration please email your application package to VPRI by Jan 9 2026. Applications may be considered after the deadline date; however acceptance of late submissions is at the discretion of the appointments committee. We thank all interested applicants. However only those applicants invited to interview will be contacted. We are working on a tight recruitment timeline for the federal nomination in March 2026.

Any questions may be sent to:
Dr. Shanthi Johnson Vice-President Research and Innovation
Tel: Ext. 5003
E-mail:

Since 1963 the University of Windsor has been a forward-looking community that comes together to study to learn to teach and to serve. Our symbol is the bridge; our vista is cross-border; our commitment is local; and our impact is global. We are a dynamic inclusive community of higher learning with roots going back more than 160 years and with a future full of promise.

We are committed to equity and supports diversity in its teaching learning and work environments.

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process please notify the Should you require further information on accommodation please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights Conflict Resolution and Mediation (OHRCRM).