"Canada Impact+ Research Chair in plant breeding and genetics of special crops, emphasis on sunflowers"

Full Time, Tenured
Position #: 37393, 37394
Posting Start Date: January 23, 2026
Posting End Date: February 25, 2026
Expected start date of appointment: Within 12 months of the award date (September 2026).

The Department of Plant Science in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) at the University of Manitoba invites applications for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in plant breeding and genetics of special crops, with an emphasis on sunflowers. A Canada Impact+ Research Chair is one of the most prestigious international awards globally, providing Chairholders and their research teams with an award of up to $8 million over eight years ($1 million per year). In addition, there is potential for a four-year extension at 50% of the initial award value per year. This extension will be determined by an external review in Year 7 of the award.

Successful nominees will be expected to start their position at the University of Manitoba within 12 months of accepting the award. The successful candidate will be appointed to a full-time tenured position at the rank of Full Professor, or at the rank of Associate Professor with an opportunity to apply for promotion to Full Professor within two years of starting their appointment. Salary will be based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, in accordance with the University of Manitoba Faculty Association collective agreement. The position will be provided with a start-up package and opportunities to compete for additional equipment funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

The Canada Impact+ Research Chair Program
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a new initiative funded by the Government of Canada to attract world-leading researchers to Canadian universities whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. Impact+ chairholders must advance ambitious and transformative projects in one or more of Canada’s strategic priority areas... Please consult the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Applicants must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the first intake application deadline (March 24, 2026) are eligible to apply. The focus of this position will be to lead a plant breeding, genomics, and genetics program on special crops, with particular emphasis on sunflowers. The research program must include an emphasis on the genetics, genomics and breeding of sunflower for Manitoba and western Canada. While this is a research-intensive position, the successful candidate will also contribute to educating undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, and research associates, through teaching and mentorship in the Department of Plant Science, and participate in academic service activities to the Department, the Faculty, or University. Teaching experience in plant breeding, genetics, genomics and related areas is an asset.

The successful applicant will have internationally recognized expertise and a productive research record in sunflower genetics, genomics, and quantitative breeding as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, and successful research grant funding. A demonstrated excellence in training of highly qualified personnel, and of developing collaborations with agricultural industries is required. Experience in knowledge mobilization and commercialization pathways are highly preferred.

The successful applicant will have access to core resources within the faculty, including the Ian N. Morrison Research Farm...

The appointment is dependent on a successful Canada Impact+ Research Chair Award, and the two-stage process...

The Application Process
Applicants must apply to this University of Manitoba advertisement through the UM Careers portal... Applicants should upload their cover letter separately, their curriculum vitae separately, and then combine their research plan, teaching statement, personal statement and a list of three referees into a single PDF file and upload it under ‘Additional Documentation’ when applying in UM Careers. If you experience any difficulties accessing UM Careers, please contact Heather Wiebe, heather.wiebe@umanitoba.ca for assistance.

Further details on the application materials are:

• a concise cover letter describing suitability for the position
• a curriculum vitae (including examples of significant research contributions)
• a research plan (3 page maximum) outlining an independent, innovative research program, and its potential to attract funding and contribute to student training
• a teaching statement (1/2 page) that documents the applicant's experience in and/or approach to training and mentoring diverse students and the candidate's teaching philosophy
• a personal statement reflecting on the applicant's positionality, demonstrated commitment, and approach to issues pertaining to anti-racism and social justice (including principles of equity, access, and participation) in the following areas: teaching, research, and service
• the names and contact information of three referees

A review of applications will begin February 22, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.