Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Environment, Climate Resilience, and the Arctic

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Program Description

McGill University invites applications for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program, open to the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Research Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Impact+ chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel in the following priority areas:

• Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, 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

• Defence and dual-use technologies

The Impact+ award is valued at $4 million or $8 million, over a period of 8 years, with a possibility for a four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value. The two award values recognize the varying costs of research within different research disciplines and aim to be inclusive of all areas of research. More information about the Impact+ Program is found here.

Impact+ candidates must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the time of the first Impact+ Program intake application deadline are eligible to apply. Successful Impact+ candidates will be appointed to a tenure-track position at the rank of Full Professor, or as an Associate Professor with a promotion to Full Professor within two years of starting their appointment in the academic unit(s) that best fits their area of academic interest and expertise. This may include an appointment at McGill-affiliated health centres. Successful candidates will be expected to start their position within 12 months of accepting the award.

Job Duties

Successful candidates will be responsible for leading an innovative, transformative and world-leading research program within their selected strategic priority area; creating and maintaining an inclusive, collaborative environment; recruiting, teaching, and mentoring a diverse team of researchers and trainees; overseeing all aspects of the research program, including team leadership, governance, and administration; elaborating and delivering a knowledge mobilization plan, and actively contributing to service within the academic community.  The candidate’s research should align with the objectives of the Impact+ Program.

Successful candidates are expected to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses, develop courses at all levels in their areas of specialization, supervise and mentor graduate students, and contribute to the intellectual life of the University. This role requires both visionary research leadership and a commitment to fostering excellence and diversity in academic settings.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the Impact+ Program application deadline for each intake are eligible.  

• Candidates should demonstrate a recent track record of outstanding research and recognized international leadership in their discipline.

• Candidates must be full professors or associate professors or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels.  

• Candidates will be appointed to a tenure-track position at the rank of Full Professor, or as an Associate Professor with a promotion to Full Professor within two years of starting their appointment.

• A PhD is required by McGill University for appointment to a tenure-track position; however, this is not a requirement of the Impact+ Program itself.

Candidates should review the eligibility and selection criteria for the Impact+ Program prior to applying.  

Canadians living abroad wishing to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Workday, McGill’s HR management. Please use the Apply button at the top of this posting.

If a candidate's research spans multiple strategic priority areas, they are encouraged to submit a single application and clearly articulate how their work aligns within the various relevant areas.

Use a personal email address when creating an account in Workday. Refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.

Required Documents

The application package should include the following documents and must be merged into one single .pdf file not exceeding 5 MB.

• Cover letter indicating the strategic priority area(s) and the preferred Faculty/Department

• Curriculum vitae 

• Statement of research (current, future, alignment with the chosen priority area, and potential for knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results) (max. 2 pages)

• Research infrastructure needs: laboratory space, equipment (max. 1 page)

• Teaching statement and dossier (max. 1 page)

• Contact information for three references 

Job Details

Job Type: Tenure Track

Rank: Associate or Full Professor

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Posting Period

Review of applications will begin on Monday, January 26th, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will be accepted until the position is filled.

Inquiries from potential candidates are welcome and will be treated in strict confidence. Correspondence can be directed to Heather Purdie ([email protected]).

Posting date: Friday, December 19th, 2025

Closing date: Monday, June 15th, 2026

Please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located. McGill University offers immigration and relocation support for selected candidates.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.