Canada Impact+ Research Chair (02101.1)

Are you ready to build something extraordinary Thompson Rivers University is seeking three (3) exceptional international researchers to be nominated through the Canada Impact Research Chairs program. The successful candidates will join a vibrant inclusive and rapidly expanding research community in the heart of British Columbias Interior with outstanding support to build a world-class program of research excellence.

If you are interested in one of these exciting research opportunities we want to hear from you. Please contact Katie Japaridze at or 250.318.2119 for further information.

Academic Unit: Open alignment with the research areas identified

Category of Appointment: Tenured Full or Associate Professor

Closing date: Review of applications will begin on January 26 2026 and continue until the positions are filled.

About the Opportunity

The Canada Impact program is a cornerstone of Canadas national strategy to target individuals who are advancing world-leading research in critical fields that will deliver direct economic societal and health benefits for Canadians. Through this program Canadian institutions are empowered to recruit the worlds top researchers and position Canada as a premier destination for leading-edge research. The total Chair is valued $8 million over eight years ($1 million annually for chairholder salary and program support) providing exceptional resources to build ambitious research programs and teams.

This is a unique opportunity for international researchers to lead a transformative research agenda at TRU contribute to Canadas global research leadership and collaborate with diverse communities including Indigenous partners in one of Canadas most vibrant and inclusive university settings.

Research Areas

Applications from outstanding scholars are welcomed in the following eight strategic priority areas defined by the Government of Canada:

1. Advanced Digital Technologies (including Artificial Intelligence Quantum and Cybersecurity)
2. Health including Biotechnology
3. Clean Technology and Resource Value Chains
4. Environment Climate Resilience and the Arctic
5. Food and Water Security
6. Democratic and Community Resilience
7. Manufacturing and Advanced Materials
8. Defence and Dual-Use Technologies

Eligibility

Candidates should be top-tier researchers whose achievements have a significant societal impact and who are recognised internationally as leaders. Societal impact may include translating and mobilizing the candidates research to knowledge users publishing for non-academic audiences community outreach policy consultations gaining media coverage and forming collaborative partnerships.

Applicants must be established as full professors or be associate professors who are expected to be promoted to full professor within one to two years of nomination. Candidates from outside academia must demonstrate the qualifications necessary for appointment at a comparable level.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee and must include the following:

1. A cover letter that identifies which of the eight (8) strategic priority research areas align with your research
2. Detailed curriculum vitae
3. A proposed research program identifying potential collaborations the importance of equity diversity and inclusion principles infrastructure needs and plans for knowledge mobilization translation commercialization and application of research results (maximum five (5) pages)
4. Highlights of your most significant contributions to your field including how they have led to social economic and/or policy benefits and how they connect with your research plan (maximum two (2) pages)
5. A statement of your teaching and mentoring philosophies (Maximum two pages)
6. The names and email addresses of three references

The nomination process involves two stages starting with applicants applying to this job posting. Those who succeed will work with our institution to submit a nomination for the 2026 Impact competition. The nomination is a two-step process: Registration (March 10 2026) and Application (March 24 2026). The university will support successful nominees throughout the application development process. The nomination will then be submitted to the Secretariat into the Impact Chairs competition. The appointment is conditional on the nomination being successfully approved by the Secretariat. For more information on the application process please contact

Please visit Canada Impact Research Chairs Thompson Rivers University to learn more about bringing world leading research to TRU.

About TRU

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is Canadas leading dual sector research university that offers world-class education bridging vocational innovation and academic excellence. Our vision is future-oriented sustainable globally engaged and regionally focused. We are proudly located in Kamloops BC with a campus in the community of Williams Lake and situated on the ancestral lands of the Secwepemc Peoples.

TRU is one of six (6) research universities in British Columbia (Research Universities Council of BC). Over the past decade TRU has experienced significant growth in research capacity funding and graduate programs earning a spot among Canadas top 50 research universities in 2023. TRUs strategic focus is on developing world-class research teams and supporting them with cutting-edge research equipment. Supported by the Province of BC TRUs Institute for Wildfire Science Adaptation and Resiliency and TRU Wildfire provides a solutions-oriented and comprehensive approach to current and future wildfire challenges bringing together research education training and innovation under one umbrella.

TRU is also a member of the Interior Universities Research Coalition (IURC) which was established with two regional universities (the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of BC Okanagan). The coalition aims to strengthen research environments across the Interior of British Columbia through shared resources faculty and student exchanges and community partnerships.

Thompson Rivers Universitys spectacular main campus is at the heart of Kamloops British Columbia a small city of over 100000 in BCs sunny interior where we enjoy four seasons of outdoor adventures a rich cultural scene and a vibrant diverse campus community. We recognize that our Kamloops campus is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of Tkemlúps te Secwépemc. We are committed to respecting these lands and the ongoing relationships with Secwépemc /Indigenous peoples in our academic and community endeavors. TRU supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through the Coyote Project a roadmap to achieving the TRCs Calls to Action.

Equity Statement

TRU is firmly committed to the principles of employment equity employing people without regard to ancestry including colour and perceived race; nationality or national origin religion or creed or religious belief religious association or activity; age; sex including pregnancy; gender identity sexual orientation political belief physical or mental disability or social disadvantage. While remaining alert and sensitive to the issue of fair and equitable treatment for all TRU has a special concern with the participation and advancement of members from designated groups as having been previously disadvantaged in employment: women racialized communities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples LGBTQ2S and persons with disabilities. We believe that ensuring equity diversity and inclusion in the Canada Impact Research Chairs Program and the broader research enterprise will lead to the creation of an innovative and impactful research environment that will seize opportunities and respond to global challenges.

TRU encourages applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and its scholarship including but not limited to women visible minorities Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

The search interview and selection process will be informed by the Canada Research Chair programs Equity Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and Creating an Equitable Diverse and Inclusive Research Environment: A Best Practices Guide for Recruitment Hiring and Retention

If candidates require accommodation supports during the search process please contact and Theron Reed Director ofTotal Rewards Engagement and Well-Being will be able to assist with accessibility or adaptive measures requests.

TRU recognizes that life circumstances such as illness disability family and community responsibilities (e.g. maternity leave parental leave leaves due to illness leaves due to caring for family members slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability or COVID-19 impacts) are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominees record of research achievement and that these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process