Description
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers to address critical national and global challenges. The program offers eligible institutions the opportunity to nominate internationally renowned scholars and scientists as chairholders in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the first intake application deadline are eligible to apply.
The Impact+ program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional supports that 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+ chairholders will drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, and develop the next generation of highly qualified personnel.
The University Health Network (UHN) invites applications for full-time, Senior Scientist and Scientist positions to advance transformational research programs that support the growth of the Canadian economy in one or more of the following priority areas:
-Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, cybersecurity)
-Health, including biotechnology
-Manufacturing and advanced materials
-Defence and dual-use technologies
The nominee’s research area must demonstrably align with one or more of the categories listed above and the research priorities at one of UHN’s research institutes. Two maximum award values are available: $8 million over eight years ($1M per year) or $4 million over eight years ($500k per year).
Appointments will be at the rank of Scientist or Senior Scientist with an anticipated start date between September 2026 and July 2027. Appointments will be made to an appropriate UHN institute. Some positions may be cross-appointed at an affiliated Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) institution with an academic appointment to a University of Toronto department.
Successful candidates will have an established, excellent, innovative and internationally recognized research trajectory and an outstanding, independent, externally funded research program. The candidate’s record of excellence in research should be demonstrated by a record of significant, sustained contributions and publications in top-ranked and field-relevant academic journals and internationally ranked presses, participation in professional associations through conference presentations and service work, obtaining competitive funding sources, and strong endorsements by referees of high standing. In keeping with the program’s objectives of research excellence and impact, successful candidates will have a strong record of research impact, including research translation, mobilization, and application with concrete economic and/or social benefits for a range of end users and stakeholders.
The rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must include the following in their application package:
1) A cover letter and two-page research proposal describing research plans for the position and highlighting the specific priority area(s) to which their research relates;
2) Current curriculum vitae (CV) including a description of potential career interruptions, where applicable; and
3) A one-page plan describing actions that will be taken to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility within their curriculum, training and/or research design methods, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of research findings and to ensure research outcomes are rigorous, relevant and accessible to diverse populations.
All application materials must be submitted via email to strideteam@uhn.ca.
Review of applications will begin on January 26, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, but only complete applications will be considered. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact strideteam@uhn.ca.
UHN recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Nomination committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.
UHN is strongly committed to diversity within its community and leading change towards an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible research environment. We welcome applications from all groups who may contribute to diversity within our organization and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.
UHN is a respectful, caring and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process, providing the applicant has met the bona fide requirements for the open position. Applicants can make their request for accommodations by contacting Anna Gordon at edi@uhn.ca.
For further information about the Impact + Research Chair nomination process at UHN, contact Margaret.Kinyanjui@uhn.ca.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary, but applicants are encouraged to self-identify in any of the groups, where applicable. Please note that any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or People and Culture.
Requirements
Nominees must be full professors or associate professors or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels.
Appointments will be at the rank of Scientist or Senior Scientist with an anticipated start date between September 2026 and July 2027. Appointments will be made to an appropriate UHN institute. Some positions may be cross-appointed at an affiliated Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) institution with an academic appointment to a University of Toronto department.
