"Canada Excellence Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture for Grape and Wine"

The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University invites applications for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Sustainable Agriculture for Grape and Wine at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (Tenured), to commence May 1, 2027. The ideal candidate will develop collaborations with the Ontario and Canadian grape and wine industry, leveraging resources from Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC), and the Brock–Niagara Validation, Prototyping, and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI). Opportunities exist for collaboration with biologists in Biological Sciences and colleagues in Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Geography, and other departments.

The CERC focuses on sustainable agriculture for grape and wine, aligning with CERC priority areas: Sustainable Food Systems and Clean Sustainable Prosperous Canada. The Chair will emphasize an integrated approach to sustainable viticulture, bridging applied vineyard management with digital and AI tools, such as improving grapevine and soil health through digital viticulture management. The role includes contributing to the training, mentorship, and well-being of undergraduate and graduate students through teaching and research supervision.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. CERC nominees should be full professors or associate professors eligible for promotion to full professor within one or two years, or possess equivalent qualifications from outside academia. Candidates must be recognized national and international leaders in sustainable viticulture, with a strong record of research, technology transfer, industry uptake, and mentoring of students and researchers. A diverse range of methodological approaches is welcome.

About Brock University: Brock is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, people with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons. The university recognizes impacts of life circumstances on research achievement and considers these in assessments.

Faculty and Department Details: The Faculty of Mathematics and Science includes departments like Biological Sciences, which offers BSc, MSc, and PhD programs. The CCOVI supports the Canadian grape and wine industry with advanced facilities, including research vineyards and laboratories, and the Chair is expected to collaborate and affiliate with it.

How to Apply: Submit a letter of interest, research program description, CV, statement of mentorship and teaching philosophy, EDI statement, and contact information for three referees via the Brock Careers website. Applications must align with CERC priorities and demonstrate research excellence.

Timeline: The closing date is September 8, 2025. Review begins after this date, with potential nomination in March 2026 and appointment as early as May 1, 2027, subject to approval.