Canada Research Chair, Indigenous Scholar in Health & Technology, Faculty of Health

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Date Posted: March 18, 2025
Application Deadline: April 17, 2025

The Faculty of Health, York University invites highly qualified applicants for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor position for Indigenous Scholars in Health and Technology. This is a tenure-track position to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

This position is open to Indigenous scholars whose field of study aligns with the goals of the Connected Minds Program as well as one or more areas eligible for an NSERC Tier 2 CRC https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/index-eng.aspx. The successful candidate will identify a home school/department to be appointed (Global Health, Health Policy & Management, Kinesiology & Health Science, Nursing, or Psychology) or a joint appointment across two units, and will provide a proposed CRC title and 5-year program of research which aligns with this call.

The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., within 10 years of attaining their highest degree at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3.Please see the CRC website https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ for further eligibility details.

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of Indigenous women and Indigenous gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified scholars who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as both Indigenous Peoples of Canada (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or is registered to a US First Nation whose homelands straddle the colonial Canada/US border) and as women or gender non-conforming (e.g. genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

York University is committed to providing an inviting, rich and supportive work, study and research environment to Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. This includes: cultivating understanding of, respect for and connections with Indigenous communities; integrating Indigenous cultures, approaches and perspectives into curricular offerings and research; collaborating with Indigenous communities; and supporting the recruitment and success of Indigenous students, staff and faculty members. These efforts are guided by the Associate Vice-President Indigenous Initiatives, the Indigenous Council, and the Indigenous Framework for York University https://indigenous.yorku.ca/framework/ and include the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages, https://www.yorku.ca/research/cikl/, the Centre for Aboriginal Student Services https://aboriginal.info.yorku.ca/ and Skennen’kó:wa Gamig https://aboriginal.info.yorku.ca/skennenkowa-gamig/, a space for Indigenous faculty, staff, and students.

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/ program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship toward three main research goals: 1) to understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels, 2) predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective and 3) use these predictions to drive new research and technology development. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years (2023 – 2030).

Candidate Qualifications:
Degree: A PhD or equivalent degree (e.g., DrPH, EdD, MD, PsyD) or equivalent degree near completion by the appointment’s start, with a substantial record of professional experience in the field of health and technology.
Scholarship:
o A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization that aligns with one or more areas relevant and eligible for an NSERC Tier 2 CRC (see Eligibility of NSERC https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/interagency-research-funding/policies-and-guidelines/selecting-appropriate-federal-granting-agency?OpenDocument subject matter and eligibility of applications related to health), including but are not limited to:
o Creating inclusive healthcare solutions (e.g., accessible telemedicine platforms, adaptive wearables) to effectively accommodate individuals with disabilities and address diverse accessibility needs.
o Designing user-friendly, personalized interfaces (e.g., interactive dashboards, real-time monitoring platforms) to support integrated healthcare systems and streamline clinical workflows.
o Leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies (e.g., machine learning-based analytics, predictive modeling) to foster collaboration and improve overall healthcare outcomes.
o Employing advanced natural language processing and large language models to enhance patient-provider communication, while proactively addressing ethical considerations, biases, and privacy issues inherent in AI-driven language solutions.
o Investigating human movement, performance, and biomechanics in healthy individuals to optimize personalized care strategies and improve health outcomes.
o Advanced expert systems (e.g., knowledge-based tools, AI-driven solutions) to enhance personalized care for aging populations, primary care, and mental health.
o Advancing the development of wearable sensors and devices that continuously monitor physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), offering real-time, personalized health data for better decision-making.
o Developing cutting-edge diagnostic devices, biomarkers, and decision support technologies that utilize large datasets (e.g., genomics, physiology) to provide personalized healthcare recommendations.
o A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research and/or research creation (e.g., from research or arts councils, Indigenous community funding, foundations).
o A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., by the contribution to, or establishment of, community-based research and programming, ongoing health and wellness related activities, creation of digital apps/works, publications in peer-reviewed journals, non-peer reviewed reports, knowledge mobilization with/for communities, presentations at conferences and workshops, and influence on Indigenous health and wellness policies and programs).
Teaching:
o A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (e.g., in decolonizing/Indigenizing education, such as addressing issues of conflict resolution, human rights, and/or anti-racism within the curriculum; capacity to bring a theoretical and practical orientation to teaching, learning and program design; experience in graduate supervision and developing academic and career pathways for students).
o Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.
o Experience with curriculum development and universal design approaches to teaching and assessment is preferred.
Service:
o A record or evident promise of making valuable contributions through administrative and committee service.

Hiring Policies:
● Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
● All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
● York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here https://www.yorku.ca/vpepc/faculty-affairs/affirmative-action/ or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager ([email protected]).
● York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
● York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/ and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Mathieu Poirier, Search Committee Chair, [email protected].

Application Process
● Due date for completed applications: April 17, 2025
● Required materials: 1) Cover letter, describing how the candidate meets the selection criteria (including NSERC CRC Tier 2 eligibility and Connected Minds goals), identifying a school/department to be appointed to, and what they believe they can bring to the role; 2) complete and comprehensive curriculum vitae; 3) outline of their present research program and its impact, as well as a 5-year research plan outlining the CRC program of research including the proposed title of the CRC; 4) three of the candidate’s most impactful contributions (e.g., peer reviewed publications or developed technologies), and one page describing why these are their most important contributions; 5) statement of teaching interests/experience and evidence of high-quality teaching, including detailing experiences with and the approach to trainee supervision, and a discussion of how the candidate’s teaching experience/profile aligns with the courses offered at the candidate’s School/Department of choice; 6) contact information for three references willing to provide a confidential letter of reference. Only short-listed candidates’ references will be contacted.
● Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action as part of the online application.
● Direct questions about the position or application process, including potential alternatives to written application materials, should be directed to Mathieu Poirier, Search Committee Chair, [email protected].
● Submit materials: at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FoHCRC

Learn More About York:
● York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan https://www.yorku.ca/research/strategic-research-plan-2023-2028/ showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
● York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy https://www.yorku.ca/dedi-strategy/, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion https://www.yorku.ca/abr/ and the Indigenous Framework for York University https://indigenous.yorku.ca/framework/.
● Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/.

York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.

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