"Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Opportunity"

About the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Opportunity

Lakehead University invites applications from exceptional, internationally based researchers for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program. This national initiative is designed to recruit world-leading scholars whose work addresses critical global and national challenges and who are poised to build transformational research programs in Canada. Lakehead University can nominate up to 6 Impact+ Research Chairs across the Government of Canada’s strategic priority areas, as part of one of the most significant research recruitment opportunities in the university’s history.

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs receive long-term funding of either $8 million or $4 million, over eight years, with the possibility of a four-year extension at 50 percent of the original value of the initial award based on demonstrated research impact and sustained partnerships. Institutions may also request up to $6 million per chair in research infrastructure funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

The Canada Impact + Research Chairs submission process requires an application to Lakehead University (see details below) for Intake 1 and 2. Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026 until all available Canada Impact + Research Chair positions are filled by the internal deadline for the second Intake: May 15, 2026, 8:00 pm EST.

Canada Impact+ Strategic Priorities

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs are awarded in areas identified by the Government of Canada as critical to global and national challenges. These priorities closely parallel Lakehead University’s own research priorities and strengths and are reflected in the university’s Strategic Research Plan. Applications must demonstrate how the proposed program will advance one or more of the following strategic priority areas:

• advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity);
• clean technology and resource value chains;
• defence and dual-use technologies;
• democratic and community resilience;
• environment, climate resilience and the Arctic;
• food and water security;
• health and biotechnology; and
• manufacturing and advanced materials.

Chairholders are expected to build meaningful partnerships across sectors and Indigenous communities, and to ensure that research outcomes translate into practice, policy or commercialization pathways with measurable societal and economic benefit.

Qualifications and Eligibility

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs opportunity is designed for internationally renowned researchers who are ready to establish a major research program in Canada. To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have a strong recent record of research achievements and a demonstrated interest in contributing to Canada’s research and innovation landscape;
• Be internationally based at the time of the first intake deadline (both working and residing outside Canada);
• Hold the rank of full professor or associate professor;
• If recruited from outside the academic sector, a candidate must have equivalent qualifications for appointment at that level.

Compensation

This position may be filled at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor, depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The expected compensation range for this position is:

• Associate Professor: $141,099 - $191,099
• Full Professor: $165,341 - $215,341

Salary will be determined in accordance with the collective agreement and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Successful applicants will be appointed to an appropriate academic department/school/faculty at Lakehead University.

How to Apply

To apply, applicants are asked to provide the following three documents:

1. A cover letter that identifies:
   • Alignment with one or more of the strategic priority areas (listed above)
   • The applicant’s start-up funding, infrastructure and space, and research team requirements
   • The applicant’s interest in coming to Lakehead University, including any relevant connections to the university or the regions served by the University.
2. A full curriculum vitae (please include details of research and teaching, scholarly record, funding, collaborations/partnerships with industry, government, not-for-profit, and/or community, and leadership experience).
3. A Research Statement, submitted as a single PDF, including the following:
   • A five-page (maximum) research statement that includes:
     • An overview of the applicant’s research proposal, including knowledge mobilization and innovation activities
     • How the proposed research embeds equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) considerations at each stage of the research process
     • Potential to collaborate with other researchers at Lakehead University, Ontario and Canada
     • Social and economic benefits for Canada that will result from the research program, including potential industry, government, not-for-profit, and/or community partnerships
     • Contribution and fit to the research ecosystem in Canada and internationally
   • A one-page (maximum) statement that describes the applicant’s past experience with attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment.
   • A one-page (maximum), if applicable, statement that demonstrates how the proposed research program will value Indigenous ways of knowing, how it will extend research knowledge in the field that is significant for Indigenous Peoples and communities and contribute to decolonization.

For further information on the Canada Impact + Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Program website.

The Canada Impact + Research Chair appointment is subject to approval by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat.

Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026 until all available Canada Impact + Research Chair positions are filled. Applicants should submit their electronic application quoting the above reference number to:

Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Email to: vpresearch@lakeheadu.ca

Questions about the application process should be addressed to: director.research@lakeheadu.ca.