"Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Artificial Intelligence (AI)"

College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical SciencesRequisition 1884

The University of Guelph invites applications for nomination to the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Artificial Intelligence (AI), which focuses on either developing energy-efficient, sustainable AI models or infrastructures, or applying AI methods to address environmental, agricultural, and societal challenges. This opportunity will enable a world-class researcher to establish and lead an ambitious, multidisciplinary research program at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and computational science, positioning Canada at the forefront of ethical and environmentally responsible AI innovation.

About the CERC ProgramThe Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program is one of the most significant federal research funding initiatives, designed to recruit leading researchers from around the world. It offers universities award values of either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to support world‑renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities with the goal to support groundbreaking research programs, build critical mass in strategic science and technology areas, and deliver lasting social and economic benefits for Canadians. The CERC in Green AI has a value of $4 million over 8 years.

Research Focus: Green AIThe successful candidate will develop a world-leading research program in Green AI, with an emphasis on at least one of the following:

• Designing AI models, algorithms, and infrastructures that are energy-efficient and sustainable.
• Advancing low-carbon machine learning methodologies and scalable computational frameworks.
• Developing novel mathematical and statistical models for efficient AI or for energy-efficient computing infrastructure.
• Applying AI innovations to environmental, agricultural, and societal challenges, aligning with the University of Guelph’s leadership in agri-food, environmental sustainability, and ethical AI.

Strategic Alignment with the University of GuelphThe University of Guelph has a long-standing reputation as Canada’s food and agriculture university, with global leadership in environmental sustainability, agri-food innovation, data science and computational science. Our Strategic Plan emphasizes creating solutions for a sustainable future, advancing digital transformation, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that address society’s most pressing challenges. A CERC in Green AI directly strengthens this vision by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence with UoG’s expertise in food, environment, and communities, ensuring that technological innovation is aligned with ecological responsibility and societal benefit.

Candidate ProfileWe seek an exceptional scholar with an international reputation for research excellence, innovation, and leadership. The successful nominee will:

• Hold a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a closely related discipline. (This is a University of Guelph requirement)
• Be an established full professor, or an associate professor expected to advance to full professor within 1–2 years.
• Demonstrate a record of outstanding research contributions, including high-impact publications, mentorship, and external research funding.
• Show a proven ability to lead large interdisciplinary teams and foster collaborations with academia, industry, and government.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in research, mentorship, and recruitment.
• For candidates pursuing research with or about Indigenous communities, demonstrate alignment with principles of Indigenous self-determination, co-creation, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Institutional CommitmentThe University of Guelph is deeply committed to supporting the CERC through:

• Provision of world-class infrastructure, laboratories, and administrative support.
• Integration into thriving interdisciplinary research networks in computational sciences, agri-food innovation, sustainability, and ethics in technology.
• Long-term planning to sustain and expand the research program beyond the eight-year CERC term, ensuring enduring impact.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion...

Application ProcessThe CERC recruitment process consists of two stages. First, candidates apply to an open job posting at the University of Guelph. The successful candidate will then work with the University of Guelph to co-develop an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to a CERC university position is contingent upon receiving a CERC award. CERC awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award. The term is for eight years, after which other funding sources may be leveraged to facilitate a permanent position within our faculty.

Assessment of applications will begin on November 10, 2025, with a goal of hosting candidates for interviews in November. Interested external applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #1884) by submitting the following materials (in one merged PDF file uploaded to cv):

1. A cover letter describing their vision for a research program in Green AI and how it aligns with the goals of the CERC program.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Brief description of the proposed research program, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team (maximum three pages).
4. Highlights of your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan. (Maximum two pages).
5. The names and email addresses of three references, at least two of which are at arm’s length (not in conflict of interest).

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position. If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Minglun Gong at minglun@uoguelph.ca or +1-519-824-4120 x54019.

The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. Procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada have been established by Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Deadline for application: November 10, 2025

Applications and inquiries should be directed to:
Office of Research, University of Guelph
Email: Facultyjobs@socs.uoguelph.ca

Why Join UoG?
At the University of Guelph, you will join a vibrant, research-intensive institution with a strong reputation for innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. Located in Ontario’s innovation corridor, UoG offers unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners in Canada and globally.

📌 This position is contingent upon a successful institutional nomination and subsequent approval by the CERC 2026 competition.

APPLY ONLINE – Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Artificial Intelligence

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).