Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC)

jobsnearcanada.com

Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC)
Tracking Code: req1734
Faculty/Department: Office of VP, Research and Innovation
Appointment Type: Tenured and Tenure-Track, Full-time Continuing. This position is contingent upon funding.
Number of Positions: 1
Salary Grade: Administered in accordance with the Collective Agreement
Posting Date: September 8, 2025
Application Review Date: October 9, 2025 (7:00 PM EST) or until a suitable candidate has been found

Ontario Tech University is seeking outstanding researchers specializing in nuclear energy for consideration as Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) nominees. We are seeking a CERC nominee who can enhance the University’s research efforts aligned with the Government of Canada’s Technologically Advanced Canada priority area, specifically in field of nuclear energy. Examples include small modular reactors and nuclear fusion, advanced nuclear technologies, long duration energy storage, nuclear facility construction methods, nuclear design methods, safety, licensing and environmental protection, or applications of advanced reactors beyond electricity production. It is expected that the successful candidate will work closely with our major industry partners including Ontario Power Generation, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and Atomic Energy Canada Limited.

About the CERC Program
The CERC program offers eligible Canadian, degree-granting institutions an opportunity to establish research chairs with award values of $1 million per year or $500 thousand per year for eight years in areas that align with the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities.

Launched in 2008, the CERC Program supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build upon Canada’s reputation as a global leader in research and innovation and to attract world-renowned researchers to Canada. The program stands at the centre of our national strategy to foster research excellence in Canada and improve the depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, and to help train the next generation of highly skilled people. The awards provide an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at Ontario Tech and to contribute to Canada’s excellence in research and innovation

The CERC nomination is a two-stage process where applicants first apply to this job posting. Successful applicants then work with our institution to submit a nomination to the 2026 CERC Competition. The university will support successful nominees throughout the development of their applications
The Ideal Candidate

Candidates must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. This position is subject to budgetary approval.

Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible to be nominated; however, they may not be nominated by the institution at which they currently hold their appointment. If an institution nominates a researcher who is currently at a Canadian institution, the institution must demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another. Please consult the Canada Excellence Research Program website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.
In accordance with Ontario Tech’s requirements, successful candidates must have a Ph.D. in a discipline appropriate to the field of research, be engaged in a program of research, and have a demonstrated record of excellence in scholarly research and teaching. Assessment of candidates will be based primarily on research excellence, as reflected in the quality of peer-reviewed publications, success at securing research support, and other evidence of knowledge mobilization and impact. The successful candidate will be expected to follow a 40% Research, 40% Teaching and 20% Service workload each year.

The successful candidate will have a strong publication record, a demonstrated record of cultivating diverse partnerships, and a history of successful research funding. As well, they will have demonstrated an ability to successfully develop highly qualified personnel, and will be expected to grow and manage an active research group at Ontario Tech. They will be expected to maintain collaborative and collegial relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the community at large. The successful candidate must be able to maintain eligibility to obtain funding from Canadian federal, provincial, international funding agencies and must be able to maintain compliance with Canadian and US trade controls including sanctions and/or export control regulations and the federal government’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin on October 9, 2025, and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Applicants should submit the following components in electronic format in a single pdf file:

Applications must include:

• Cover letter addressing how the applicant’s career achievements align with the CERC objectives, the candidate research profile outlined above, and the Technologically Advanced Canada priority area disciplines identified above;
• A detailed current curriculum vitae (if applicable, we encourage applicants to explain any career interruptions that might have affected research productivity);
• A concise description of current and future research plans (up to 3 pages);
• A description of the applicant’s 1) past experience with recruiting, training, and mentoring a diverse group of trainees, and creating an equitable and inclusive research environment; and 2) future strategies for implementing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the CERC position to recruit and train a diverse research team as well as create an inclusive and diverse research environment;
• Full text of three research publications reflecting topics, theoretical approach and methods relevant to the CERC position;
• The name and contact information of three referees. These referees may be asked by the University to provide letters of reference.

For more information on this position, please contact the Office of the Vice President, Research and Innovation by email at [email protected].

Compensation
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the UOIT Faculty Association and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the University and the UOIT Faculty Association collective agreement may be found on the Human Resources section of our website. Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and annual salary increases are administered as per the terms outlined in the collective agreement.

The University
Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), located in Oshawa, Ontario, is proud to encourage an interactive, information-sharing culture for our individual staff, and teams which enhance organizational effectiveness. Ontario Tech’s innovative programs, and technology-enriched learning environment create an atmosphere of academic excellence. Ontario Tech promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking, and integrates outcomes-based learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. We invite you to consider joining Ontario Tech’s globally trained faculty as we further our reputation for providing a leading-edge learning environment and delivering innovative research.

Employment Equity at Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, or slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability) are expected to have an impact on a candidate’s record of achievement. 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 and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions when assessing a candidate’s qualifications for the position.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.

The CERC Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, following the program’s best practices. All applicants are required to self-identify via the confidential self-identification questionnaire included in this application process. The questionnaire includes an option “prefer not to answer.” This information will only be securely accessed by a designated member of the Office of Human Resources. This information will be reported only in aggregate to the selection committee chair and equity officer. No individual information will be shared with the search committee members. Data collected via this form will be used solely for the purposes of this competition and will not be accessed or used for any other purpose.

Hiring Accommodations
Ontario Tech University respects people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Expected Start Date: 1/4/2027

For full job ad, please visit: https://ontariotechu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/1734?c=ontariotechu

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (jobsnearcanada.com) you saw this job posting.