Canada Impact+ Research Chair in the field of Space Systems Design for Responsive and Resilient Data Collection, Processing, and Transmission (Position #: 37343 and 37344)

Position #: 37343 and 37344

Posting Start Date: April 6, 2026

Posting End Date: May 20, 2026 or until filled

Expected start date of appointment: Within 12 months of the award date (September 2026).

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba jointly invite applications for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in the field of Space Systems Design for Responsive and Resilient Data Collection, Processing, and Transmission. 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).

Focus: Spacecraft constellation design, operations, and management for high-volume data collection, processing, transmission, and security. Expertise in: space systems design; orbital dynamics; space data collection, transmission, and analytics; emphasis on dual-use aerospace technologies. Demonstrated accomplishments in data reduction, large-scale data architectures, data security/privacy. Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary projects. Contribute to teaching and mentorship in Mechanical Engineering and/or Electrical and Computer Engineering. Participate in academic service.

Access to: aerospace clean rooms, mechanical and electrical assembly/test labs, antenna measurement facility, nanofabrication, high-performance computing, mechatronics labs.

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

Eligibility: Internationally based (outside Canada) at first intake deadline (March 24, 2026). Recent track record of research accomplishments.

The Application Process
Apply through the UM Careers portal. Upload: cover letter (state position number), CV, combined research plan (3pg max), teaching statement (1/2pg), personal statement, list of 3 referees.
Contact: Susan Hirst, susan.hirst@umanitoba.ca.