Assistant Professor / Associate Professor , Canada Research Chair NSERC Tier 2

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Assistant / Associate Professor, CRC
Physics

Thunder Bay/Orillia/Barrie

Full-time

Permanent
___________________________________________________________________
Canada Research Chair NSERC Tier 2 Opportunity and
Assistant Professor / Associate Professor Tenure-Track Appointment in Quantum Technologies
Posting Date: April 2, 2026
Deadline: Review of applications will begin June 1, 2026
Reference #: SES-2027-28-02
The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University invites applications for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Quantum Technologies. The ideal candidate is one who can contribute to our broad understanding of these technologies, but researchers with interests in quantum materials or quantum sensing are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the Department of Physics with rank commensurate with experience, with an anticipated starting date of January 1, 2027.
The successful candidate, upon formally accepting the offer of a full-time faculty position, will be nominated for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Quantum Technologies; the CRC Tier 2 position is for five (5) years and renewable once, and subject to approval by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs (TIPs) Secretariat. Tier 2 CRCs are intended for outstanding and innovative emerging researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields and are recognized as leaders in their fields. The Chair will increase the research capacity and training opportunities at Lakehead University and will also add to the continuing development of research excellence in the Department of Physics within the University.
Candidates for the academic appointment and the CRC Tier 2 are also expected to demonstrate a strong record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, advisory committees), a demonstrated record of working with and mentoring students, trainees, and research personnel. Evidence of excellence in teaching will be assessed through teaching accomplishments, a teaching dossier that can be submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below), as well as strong letters of reference.

Nominees to the CRC Program will develop and implement a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse team and an inclusive research and training environment that promotes co-creation with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, not-for-profit and philanthropic), in order to increase research knowledge mobilization and translation for the benefit of all Canadians.
In addition, Lakehead University requires that applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Physics, or a related area. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing research strengths.

Compensation
The expected compensation range for this position is:
– Associate Professor: $120,496 – $170,496
– Assistant Professor: $88,094 – $133,223
Salary will be determined in accordance with the Lakehead University Faculty Association (LUFA) Collective Agreement and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

CRC Eligibility
Tier 2 CRCs are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. Candidates for Tier 2 Chair positions must meet all the requirements for Tier 2 CRCs and be eligible for assistant or associate professor positions. Tier 2 CRCs normally are not more than 10 years from commencing their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of submitting the nomination to the CRC Secretariat. However, Lakehead University may nominate a professor or a researcher who is more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment if the candidate has experienced career interruptions based on the categories outlined here. Lakehead University will seek CRC eligibility approval for shortlisted candidates only.
Please note that the CRC Program imposes no restrictions on nominees concerning nationality or country of residence; however, applicants should complete the Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada Form.
Successful candidates will:
• be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated research creativity;
• have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;
• as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students, and future researchers; and
• be proposing an original, innovative research program in quantum technologies that is of the highest quality.

CRCs at Lakehead University are appointed and governed by the provisions of the Lakehead University Faculty Association Collective Agreement. For the duration of the CRC, the CRC will be given a reduced teaching load in order to dedicate the majority of their time to research, be provided with a start-up grant, CFI-JELF Infrastructure Grant, an annual research grant, and research space appropriate for the proposed CRC’s program of research.

Why Lakehead
For 60 years, students and researchers have come to Lakehead University to succeed and discover what’s next. Lakehead University is advancing research, scholarly and creative work; providing transformative learning experiences that position graduates for success; and finding solutions to society’s biggest challenges through academic programming, research and collaboration. Lakehead University is recognized as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities in its category for the last decade (Research Info$ource). Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being the highest ranked university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students for its global impact according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Lakehead placed in the top 70 in the world based on our efforts in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the University’s commitment to social, cultural and environmental sustainability, and good health and well-being. For the fourth year in a row, THE World University Rankings (2023) ranks Lakehead in the top 800 globally out of more than 1,600 participating institutions from 99 countries. Aligned with our Strategic Plan, Research Plan, CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, and Institutional EDI Action Plan, we are actively recruiting outstanding scholars to enhance and grow our research and innovation capacity. Situated in the diverse and multicultural communities of Thunder Bay and Orillia, our unique campuses and their locations inspire us to discover and innovate in exciting and non-traditional ways.

Lakehead University and our Community
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

The Faculty and Department of Physics
The Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University hosts the Department of Physics along with 10 other departments. Within the Faculty, the Department of Physics is highly research-active, with faculty working in experiment and theory in the broad areas of condensed matter and optical physics, including imaging and related materials, optical sensing, surface science, quantum optics and soft matter physics. The department offers an MSc program in Physics. Supervision of PhD students is done through the Chemistry and Material Science or the Biotechnology PhD programs within the Faculty of Science of Environmental Studies.

Lakehead University has several centralized labs to support research, including the Lakehead University Instrumentation Lab. Lakehead University is also a member of the SHARCNET Computing Consortium. For further information about the Department, please contact Prof. Hubert de Guise, Chair of Physics. Detailed information on the Department is available through the Department of Physics website.

Application Requirements and Deadline
The Department of Physics will begin the review of applications on June 1, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.
To apply for the position, submit an electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) by e-mail and quote Reference SES-2027-28-02 in both the letter of interest and subject header of the e-mail.

A complete application as one electronic pdf file consists of:
• Cover letter (up to 2 pages);
• Detailed curriculum vitae (any format);
• Statement of Research Interests and Proposed CRC Research Plan (approximately 3 pages);
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (up to 2 pages);
• Statement describing the candidate’s contributions, or potential contributions to, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) along with their ability to work with a culturally diverse and international student, staff, and faculty body (up to 1 page);
• Name and contact information of three references, at least one of whom must be at arm’s length; and
• The Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada Form.

Once your application is submitted, you will be asked to complete a mandatory brief self-identification survey that is a CRC requirement. This questions in the survey are voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning and program reporting. Candidates are also asked to kindly include with their application a link to an up-to-date ORCID profile, and three recent publications with details of their contributions to these publications.

Applicants should submit their complete electronic application quoting the above reference number to:

Dr. Todd Randall, Dean
Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Email to: applications.ses@lakeheadu.ca

Please note that only those selected for an interview will be notified.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Office of Research Services in completing a CRC Tier 2 and CFI nomination package expected within six months of the nomination.

If you have questions about the CRC program at Lakehead University, please contact Anne Klymenko, Director, Research Services by email: anne.klymenko@lakeheadu.ca or by telephone at 807-343-8110 Ext. 8223.

Equity Statement
Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

Lakehead University recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leave due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, or slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration in the assessment of the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted their research in their application. Lakehead also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, community-based research, other forms of scholarly expression, and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.
Lakehead University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leaves, slowdowns due to illness or disability, etc.) can have on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the review and assessment of application materials.

Please visit our Office of Human Rights and Equity website and our Human Resources website with regards to accommodations and to explore all of the supports our organization provides to enable a strong and connected employment experience.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact Katherine Mends at the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

Additional Information
The Canada Research Chairs Program supports outstanding researchers in areas that will further Lakehead’s Strategic Research Plan. All Chair nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information and further details on eligibility criteria. The Lakehead University CRC EDI Action Plan is available here and information regarding our EDI policies can be found here.

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