"Canada Impact+ Research Chair (CIRC) in Safety of Net-Zero Energy and Mineral Resources"

Closing Date: March 30, 2026

As per the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program competition, Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science invites applications for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair (CIRC) in Safety of Net-Zero Energy and Mineral Resources. CIRCs will be appointed for a period of eight years in values of either $8 million ($1 million per year) or $4 million ($500,000 per year), with the possibility of a 4-year extension at 50% of the original award value, determined by an external review in Year 7 of the award. The awardee may also request an additional $100,000 per year over six years to recruit an Early Career Researcher (ECR) and to apply for research infrastructure funding. While the CIRC program places no restrictions on nationality, the candidate must be internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the intake’s application deadline.

The CIRC program is a one-time-only initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, designed to recruit top-tier international researchers with expertise in key areas addressing critical national and global challenges. The eight CIRC-identified strategic priority areas include: Advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and 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; and Defense and dual-use technologies.

Located in the Department of Process Engineering, the vision for the CIRC in Safety of Net-Zero Energy and Mineral Resources is to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) - enabled technologies to enhance the safety and reliability of clean, sustainable processes and energy systems supporting critical mineral and resource development, with particular emphasis on operations in remote, ocean and Arctic environments. ... The candidate will provide research leadership in this domain by developing advanced safety and reliability frameworks and protocols, that address emerging industry needs.

The successful CIRC will either be appointed at the academic level of Full Professor or Associate Professor, eligible for promotion to Full Professor within 2 years of the Chair’s start date, or hold a position outside of academia with equivalent qualifications necessary for appointment at these academic levels. The salary for the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) Collective Agreement.

Candidate Profile
The successful candidate must be an established, internationally recognized research leader with relevant expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas: safety and risk engineering, reliability engineering, digitalization of energy systems, and applied AI and machine learning. The candidate must demonstrate strong capabilities and experience in integrating theoretical and practical approaches to develop innovative strategies to ensure safety and reliability for the energy and mineral sector.

The candidate will be expected to build on and complement existing institutional research strengths and to lead a highly visible, externally funded research program at Memorial University. They will contribute to graduate and undergraduate education, mentor highly qualified personnel (HQP), foster meaningful partnerships with industry, government, and international collaborators, and develop and implement a plan for an inclusive research environment that fosters equity, accessibility and diverse participation at all levels.

How to Apply
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition involves a two-stage process...
Stage 1
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file... subject heading: CIRC Safety of Net-Zero Energy and Mineral Resources and quoting the reference number: F98766-2026-13.
Application packages should be submitted through this portal: CLICK HERE TO APPLY, as soon as possible but no later than March 30, 2026... Candidates with inquiries... contact the Process Engineering Department Head, engr.process@mun.ca.