"Canada Impact+ Research Chair Integrated Marine Energy Systems"

The Opportunity

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Victoria (UVic) seeks to recruit a world class researcher for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair (Impact+) in Integrated Marine Energy Systems. The successful Impact+ candidate will contribute world-leading expertise to UVic’s emerging role as a global leader in Marine Energy Systems. The Chairholder will join and help shape a dynamic and highly collaborative research environment, which has positioned UVic as a leader in the development of marine energy technologies, integrated energy systems, and transformative policy guidance. To this team, we seek to add expertise around technologies, processes, models, and policies that accelerate the sustainable use of maritime energy resources towards resilient coastal communities (energy, water, etc.), developing a vibrant blue economy, and supporting Canada’s emergent defense priorities.

The Chair is expected to leverage their existing expertise, and significant UVic institutional momentum in community engaged and co-designed marine energy systems research, to deliver bold visionary leadership in fostering a research, development and commercialization ecosystem that drives translation of discoveries into real world applications at the nexus of economic resurgence, sovereignty, clean energy and ocean technology. Example application areas could include:

• Co-design of generation and electrified end-user technologies to provide unique technologies for communities and utilities that are potentially dual-use for national defence.
• Multi-fidelity modelling projects to identify opportunities for energy security, sovereignty, and economic development through phased technology deployment.
• Policy-centred approaches to analyze market opportunities, regulatory efficiency opportunities and accelerate Canadian competitiveness.

We seek individuals who are committed to initiating and sustaining interdisciplinary initiatives that navigate interwoven technical, economic, environmental and social realities, and accelerate the integration of marine energy systems into Canadian community and industry practice. Working with the successful candidate, we want to transform how Canada harnesses maritime resources to support sovereignty, responsible stewardship of the offshore space, drive new business opportunities, and improve quality of life nationally and globally.

The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $240,000 - $275,000. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

What is the Impact+ Program?

The Impact+ program is a one-time initiative designed by the Canadian government to invest in world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding (between $500k to $1m per year for 8 years, with possibility of 4 year extension) and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders.

Impact+ Chairs are expected to build significant new partnerships and collaborations with both Canadian and international entities (industry, health systems, government and not-for-profit organizations), as well as by, and with, Indigenous Peoples and communities, where appropriate. A core expectation is that Chairs, and their research teams, will actively translate and mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

The Impact+ program is a tri-agency initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). It is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), which is housed within SSHRC. For more information on the program please see the Impact+ program website.

Who We Are

UVic is ranked the #1 university in Canada and #5 globally for climate action (THE Impact Rankings 2025), and has been awarded Platinum rating in Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) as an institution. [More details on UVic's research environment, institutes like IESVic, ACET Initiative, etc.]

Process

The Impact+ nomination process involves two stages. Interested applicants must first apply to this job posting. The successful applicants will then be nominated by UVic for an Impact+ Chair and, upon approval by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), will then be offered an appointment at the rank of Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with possibility for cross appointment with additional academic units to facilitate interdisciplinary graduate student supervision.

Results are expected by September 2026, with successful individuals expected to commence their role within the following 12-month period.

Eligibility

Applicants must be top-tier researchers... [Detailed eligibility criteria, PhD required, internationally based outside Canada, etc.]

How to apply

To be considered, applications should be sent to Dr. Brad Buckham at mech.asst.chair@uvic.ca with the subject line “UVic Impact+ Chair: Integrated Marine Energy Systems”.

Please combine the following documents into a single pdf file: [List of required documents]

In order to be considered, application packages must be received by 12:00pm PDT (noon) on Friday March 13, 2026. Any inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to Sarah-Louise Decrausaz at decrausa@uvic.ca.