The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.
Description
The University of Calgary is located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
The University of Calgary invites applications from world-leading researchers for the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Competition. The CERC program is designed to attract world-renowned researchers to launch ambitious and impactful research programs at Canadian universities.
The Opportunity
The University of Calgary invites applications from world renowned researchers for the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) 2026 Competition. The CERC program stands at the centre of a national strategy to foster research excellence in Canada and improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people. The program offers an avenue for Canadian institutions to recruit the best global talent and brand Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research. CERCs are one of the largest and most prestigious awards available globally, providing the world's top researchers and their teams with funding support over eight years to support their research programs and teams.
This program provides an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at the University of Calgary and to contribute to Canada's excellence in research and innovation. Applicants must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one to two years of the nomination. As per University of Calgary requirements, successful applicants will have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline and will have a globally competitive track record of research contributions in their field including a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within their research ecosystems, and demonstrated leadership/mentorship within research teams. The University of Calgary is seeking CERC candidates in the following areas of strategic focus:
- Hydrogen Energy
- Living Medicines-Microbes
- Mountain Water Security
- Neuromorphic Computing Systems
- Quantum Computer Architecture
For more information on all research themes, please see the following site: https://research.ucalgary.ca/research/our-impact/canada-excellence-research-chairs-cerc/canada-excellence-research-chairs-cerc-competition-2026
The University of Calgary adheres to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and strives to evaluate research impact responsibly and inclusively by explicitly considering discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.
The CERC recruitment uses a two staged process where interested applicants must first apply to the open job posting at the University. The successful applicant from that first stage will then enter a second stage, for which they co-develop an application with the University to the federal government funding program. The University of Calgary will provide substantial institutional support in the preparation and development of the program application. Appointment to a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) position is contingent upon the applicant being awarded a CERC and is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the University Board of Governors and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS). Interested applicants are invited to review the full program details: https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx.
CERC Chair awardees are appointed for a term of eight years, with awards valued at either $8 million or $4 million (throughout the duration of the award). These awards are non-renewable. Awardees will have up to 12 months from the date the notice of award and acceptance are signed by all parties to commence the award.
Candidates who are unsuccessful in a CERC chair application at the national competition may be considered as a nominee for a Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in the areas identified above.
To Apply
To explore these opportunities further and to apply, please email [email protected]
Complete applications should include:
- Cover letter that identifies (maximum two pages):
- the theme (1-5) aligned to the applicant's research
- description of the societal impact of the candidate's most significant contributions
- Curriculum vitae including names and contact information of three referees
- Brief description of the candidate's research plan, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team (maximum three pages)
The University of Calgary's comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members. To learn about our comprehensive benefits package, please visit https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/benefits-pension/perks/benefits-ucalgary.
The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions and slowdowns, when assessing the candidate's research productivity.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Carley L'Hirondelle, People & Culture ([email protected]).
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
Recently ranked the most liveable city in North America and 5th in the world (2024) by The Economist Intelligence Unit, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA). Situated where the Canadian plains reach the sunny foothills of Canada's majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an awe-inspiring mountains, lakes, rivers and gorgeous prairie.
Posting Date: March 3, 2025
Closing Date: posted for a minimum of 30 days with the possibility of extension until positions are filled
