"Associate or Full Professor - Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technologies"

Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine is one of the world’s leading French-language medical faculties. In both teaching and research, its mission is to actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge and mastery of skills needed to improve healthcare.

The School of Rehabilitation, which occupies a leading position in Canada, is recognized for its excellence in education, research, and innovation in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation sciences. It distinguishes itself through a strong interdisciplinary approach, a sustained commitment to enhancing social participation and quality of life for diverse populations, and an increasing integration of cutting edge technologies into both clinical interventions and research activities.

The professors at the School of Rehabilitation are affiliated with several renowned research centers and institutes in various fields, where they pursue their work, benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, and fully integrate their graduate students, research interns, and postdoctoral researchers. This close connection between the School and its research partners strengthens its capacity for innovation, supports the development of a highly qualified next generation, and contributes to knowledge that meaningfully influences clinical practice, rehabilitation services, and public policy.

As part of the 2026 Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program competition, the School of Rehabilitation is recruiting a professor at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to advance research and teaching rehabilitation technologies.

The program awards Chairs of two award values: $8 million over eight years ($1 million per year); or $4 million over eight years ($500,000 per year). The chair offered under this call will have a value of $1 million per year for a duration of eight years. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate in preparing the application, leading up to its submission in June 2026.

Day-to-day responsibilities
Through your undergraduate and graduate-level teaching, and your research activities, you will contribute to the faculty’s pursuit of excellence. Furthermore, you will promote your discipline and actively participate in the daily activities of a renowned institution. As a Professor and holder of an Impact+ Canada Research Chair, you will:

• Leverage your world-class leadership in a prioritized area in health or digital technologies applied to rehabilitation, in alignment with the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities, with the potential to generate positive and significant social, economic, and health benefits for the well-being of the Canadian population;
• Actively foster co-creation of research projects and initiatives with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, and non‑profit) to increase the application of research outcomes in rehabilitation technology, for the benefit of society at large. You will also facilitate the mobilization and application of the Chair’s research results in diverse ways to stimulate economic growth and social innovation;
• Have the opportunity to apply for research infrastructure funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI);
• Supervise master’s and doctoral students in rehabilitation sciences programs or in other programs within interdisciplinary or intersectoral collaborations, supporting them in the completion of theses and dissertations, as well as supervising postdoctoral fellows;
• Lead major interfaculty research, knowledge mobilization, and knowledge application projects with national and international reach;
• Teach at all academic levels in occupational therapy and rehabilitation sciences programs, using a variety of teaching methods and pedagogical approaches;
• Contribute actively to the operational and strategic development of pedagogical and scientific activities within the School of Rehabilitation and the Faculty;
• Promote the visibility and impact of occupation therapy and, more broadly, rehabilitation within scientific and professional communities as well as in society through community partnerships.

Qualifications

• Be eligible for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program and submit an application to the 2026 competition;
• Hold a PhD in rehabilitation sciences, rehabilitation technologies, biomedical engineering, or a related field integrating technologies applied to rehabilitation, including occupational therapy. This requirement is established by the Université de Montréal; not by the Canada impact+ Research Chairs program;
• Having training in occupational therapy and holding a recognized license to practice as an occupational therapist, whether in Canada or elsewhere, is considered an asset and may, where applicable, support future progression toward obtaining a practice permit from the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ);
• Demonstrate outstanding expertise and international recognition as a leader in digital health or assistive rehabilitation technologies, including immersive technologies (virtual reality, augmented reality), advanced human-machine interfaces, artificial intelligence applied to rehabilitation, and innovative devices that promote functional independence. Expertise may also extend to other related fields;
• Demonstrate an excellent research track record and a strong history of funding from recognized agencies, reflecting a sustained capacity to conduct large-scale, innovative research programs;
• Hold a distinguished international standing in the field of rehabilitation and demonstrate strong leadership within major international collaborations and networks;
• Demonstrate a proven ability to lead ambitious, high‑performing research teams and to foster a collaborative, innovative, and productive research environment;
• Bring a strong record of conducting research that mobilizes, transfers, and applies knowledge to generate meaningful social and economic benefits for Canada and internationally;
• Demonstrate the ability to provide interdisciplinary teaching using a variety of pedagogical approaches suited to a diverse student population across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs;
• Have the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary context, in complementarity with faculty members;
• Have adequate proficiency of the French language or be committed to learning it once hired, through the Université de Montréal’s French language support program, in accordance with the Université de Montréal language policy.

Additional information about the position

• Competitive salary and a comprehensive range of benefits;
• Expected start date: November 1st, 2026;
• Located at the Montreal campus.

Link to submit your application: https://www.umontreal.ca/carrieres/professeurs/

https://www.umontreal.ca/public/www/documents/offres_emploi_profs/FMED_Impact__02-26_14_readapt_ENG_2026-02-05.pdf

How to submit your applicationThe application file presented must include the following documents, to be submitted during the posting period, from February 6, 2026, to March 8, 2026, inclusively:

• A cover letter;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Copies of, or links to, three recent publications or research papers;
• A statement outlining your teaching and mentoring experience and approach;
• A research program proposal;
• Contact details of three referees who will be solicited for a letter of recommendation;
• Important: the research program proposal should cover 8 years (suggested length: 4 pages).

Contact information

Dany Gagnon
Faculty of Medecine / School of Rehabilitation
dany.gagnon.2@umontreal.ca