"Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Comparative Democratic Resilience in the Global South"

Posted date: November 14, 2025
Closing Date: December 14, 2025

The Department of Political Science at Memorial University invites applications to the highly prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program with a specialization in Comparative Democratic Resilience in the Global South. CERCs are appointed for a period of eight years in values of $8 million ($1,000,000 per year) or $4 million ($500,000 per year). These awards are not renewable. The CERC 2026 competition aims to attract world-leading research talent to Canada with the high potential to generate social and economic benefits for Canadians via their research aligned with priority areas of Canadian science, technology and innovation (ST&I). Contingent upon the successful CERC nomination, the allocation to this non-renewable position will be $500K/year for 8 years, for a total of $4M, with the CERC recipient appointed to a full-time faculty position on understanding and respect.

Research Focus
The CERC recipient will address one of the defining global challenges of our time: the erosion of democratic institutions under pressures of polarization, authoritarianism, disinformation, and deep structural inequality. Focusing on Africa and Latin America - regions where innovative civic responses to democratic crisis are emerging - the Chair will examine how democratic institutions survive, adapt, or falter under pressure, particularly in contexts shaped by colonial legacies, economic inequality, and racialized exclusion. The Chair’s research program will explore how grassroots movements, Indigenous sovereignties, and racial justice campaigns are contesting and transforming public institutions. While grounded in the Global South, the Chair’s work will inform democratic innovation globally—including in Canada—as societies grapple with political polarization, technological disruption, and declining trust in public institutions.

The Chair will build on and critically augment Memorial’s Political Science Department’s nationally and internationally recognized strengths in the study of democratic politics and theory, innovative democratic practices, and comparative politics. Current faculty members are embedded in strong national and international research networks on democracy, including SSHRC Partnership Grants (Participedia, The Consortium on Electoral Democracy, and the Canadian Municipal Barometer).

Memorial has an all-Indigenous Committee for Ethical Research Impacting Indigenous Groups to ensure research, including classroom research, meets high standards of ethics and responsibility.

The focus is on research with, by and for Indigenous Peoples that emphasizes engagement based on understanding and respect. More information, can be found here.

Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be an established, internationally recognized research leader whose scholarship has made a major impact on the study of democracy, governance or civic capacity in the Global South. They will have the primary responsibility for directing the research program and all related activities and will be expected to develop and implement a plan for an inclusive research environment that fosters equity, accessibility, and diverse participation at all levels.

The successful candidate will have:

• A PhD* in Political Science or a closely related
• Hold a tenure-stream appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level in Political Science or adjacent discipline.
• A demonstrated record of world-class research excellence in comparative politics, democratic theory, global governance, or related areas.
• Evidence of sustained high-impact contributions, publications in leading journals, and success in securing external research funding.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and anti-racism (EDI-AR) in research, teaching, and mentorship.
• Experience mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees, and research
• A record of service to the research community through leadership, peer review, and institutional engagement.

*This is a requirement of Memorial University, not the CERC Program.*

The CERC Program does not impose any restrictions regarding nationality or country of residence of the nominee. The Program’s objective is to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers. Applicants holding positions at Canadian universities, including Memorial, are welcome to apply; however, if selected, Memorial will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.

How to Apply
Applications should be sent electronically as a single PDF file, with the subject heading: CERC 2026 applicant_NAME and quoting the reference number: F03259-2025-164. An application should include:

• A cover letter, including a vision for the CERC on Comparative Democratic Resilience in the Global South
• An up-to-date Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information of three referees who can provide letters of reference if short-listed.

Application packages should be submitted through this portal: https://careers.mun.ca/hss/apply/advertisements/6328, as soon as possible but no later than December 14, 2025.

Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Scott Matthews, Head of the Department of Political Science, at poliscihead@mun.ca.

Memorial acknowledges that career paths can be diverse and that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominee’s record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to explain, in their cover letter, any life circumstances resulting in career interruptions, if applicable. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and encourages applications from qualified candidates from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including women; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous Peoples; visible minorities, and racialized people; and people with disabilities. All applicants are invited to identify themselves as a member of an equity-deserving group(s) as appropriate. Please note that applicants cannot be considered a member of an equity-deserving group(s) unless they complete Memorial’s employment equity (EE) survey. EE surveys will be emailed to all applicants within seven days of their submission of the application package to Memorial. If you do not receive a survey or have any questions, please contact equity@mun.ca.

Memorial is also committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment. If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact Mandy Penney equity@mun.ca directly, and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Memorial University
As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial University plays an integral role in the education and cultural life of the province; offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 17,000 students from over 120 countries. Memorial’s St. John’s campus provides a distinctive and stimulating environment for learning in the capital city. Home to many natural wonders, including a puffin colony, whales, and icebergs, St. John’s is steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, with a vibrant arts and culture scene, mild temperatures, and access to a wide range of outdoor activities in all seasons.

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.