Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC)

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Tracking Code: req1741

Faculty/Department: Frazer Faculty of Education

Appointment Type: Tenured and Tenure-Track, Full-time Continuing

Number of Positions: 1
Salary Grade: Administered in accordance with the Collective Agreement
Posting Date: September 18, 2025
Application Review Date: November 17, 2025 or until a suitable candidate has been found (7:00 PM EST)

The Frazer Faculty of Education invites applications from highly qualified applicants for a SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Artificial Intelligence in Education. This CRC appointment opportunity is intended for emerging scholars, at the rank of assistant or associate professor (or those who possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels). Appointment is conditional on the approval by the CRC Program of the submitted nomination for the CRC Tier 2.

About the Role
To alleviate the under-representation of groups who experience systemic barriers in the CRC Program (as identified by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat), this opportunity is only open to individuals who self-identify as Women or as being from other Gender Equity-Seeking Groups in the application process. This initiative is a special program as described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The University welcomes and supports applications from such candidates who also identify as members of other equity-seeking groups.

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e. candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Candidates who are more than 10 years from earning their highest degree (and where career breaks such as maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., exist) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 CRC assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please refer to the CRC website for eligibility details or contact the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation ([email protected]) for more information.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a CRC. The candidate’s research area must align with the subject matter eligibility of SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR. Nominations are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a CRC is conditional upon its approval. A Tier 2 CRC is tenable for five years and is renewable once. New CRCs are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.

The Ideal Candidate
The Frazer Faculty of Education seeks a candidate with the potential to enhance the field of Artificial Intelligence in Education in Canada and globally. We conceptualize education broadly including learning across the life span including formal education systems (e.g. K-12 school systems, higher education/ post-secondary, professional learning contexts in public sectors, community engaged learning), and informal learning systems (e.g. community), as well as workplace and community-based learning opportunities (e.g. not-for-profit sectors). The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in Education or related field, aligned with the type of Tier 2 Chair they are applying for (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR: subject matter eligibility), with a primary focus on exploring AI in learning environments. Examples of relevant areas could include but are not limited to: AI governance, leadership and policy systems, AI approaches to personalized learning pathways, AI applications and use in teaching and learning, AI-powered assessment tools, AI in educational equity, AI for special education and accessibility, AI and gamification in education, AI in curriculum design and delivery, the future of work and AI in education, AI and mental health in education, legal implications of AI use in education, and social and ethical implications of use of AI in educational contexts. The CRC position should emphasize leveraging AI to drive systemic change and transformation across educational and/or interdisciplinary contexts.

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 mentor graduate students (develop highly qualified personnel, HQP), and will be expected to grow and manage an active research group at Ontario Tech University. They will be expected to maintain collaborative and collegial relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the community at large. The CRC will also contribute to leadership of the newly established Centre for Digital Innovation in Education, as such including a section on ideas for collaboration with CDIE connected to their research agenda is strongly encouraged. 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.

Qualifications and Experience
PhD degree, or equivalent, in Education or a relevant discipline based on the tri-council focus of the chair being applied for (SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR)
Preferred candidate will have research skills in qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research; quantitative skills are an asset
Demonstrated potential for innovative scholarly research, supported by external funding, with a nationally or internationally recognized research program
Demonstrated research partnerships involving collaborations that might include one or more organizations spanning government/policy, industry, academia, practice, and/or not-for-profit sectors
Demonstrated potential for exemplary teaching and graduate supervision
Potential to cultivate and lead equitable, diverse, and inclusive approaches to interdisciplinary research partnerships, and training of graduate students (Highly Qualified Personnel, HQP)
A record of influential scholarship and contributions demonstrating excellence in the field, as evidenced by: the CRC vision statement and research plan; a record of high-quality publications (or forthcoming publications) from significant journals; presentations at conferences; awards; and strong recommendations from referees of high standing
Non-academic activities (knowledge mobilization, KMb; knowledge translation, KT) will also be considered

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.

The Frazer Faculty of Education
The Frazer Faculty of Education’s research is characterized by a strong focus on technology integration in education, interdisciplinary approaches to combining education with other fields, development of innovative assessment measures and interventions, and exploration of digital technologies’ impact on teaching and learning and broader society. The faculty has undergraduate (B.Ed., B.A. Educational Studies) and Graduate programs (online Master’s, and Ed.D.). The faculty is known for its technology-driven approach to education including integrating digital technologies into classroom practice, encouraging the use of multiple forms of technology and digital literacy, and preparing teachers and graduate students to be leaders in the use of emerging technologies such as AI.

The faculty has a vibrant research community, with faculty members involved in a wide range of research areas that integrate and assess the impact of rapidly emerging digital technologies. The faculty houses several specialized research labs including:

Educational Informatics Laboratory (EdTech and Online Learning), Dr. Roland van Oostveen – Listed on Navigator
Ideas Lab (Equity in STEM Education), Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen – Listed on Navigator
Mental Health in the Digital Age (MHDA) Lab (Mental Health), Dr. Jennifer Laffier – Listed on Navigator
NET Lab: Networks for Educational Transformation – Dr. Joelle Rodway
PHE WISE Digital Culture Lab (Wellness), Dr. Wendy Barber – Listed on Navigator
STEAM-3D Maker Lab (Makerspaces) Dr. Janette Hughes and Dr. Laura Morrison Listed on Navigator
TALLL Lab (Language Learning) – Dr. Jia Li
RIPPLE (Research Informing Policy, Practice and Leadership in Education) Dr. Amanda Cooper
In addition, funded by the generous donation of Chancellor Mitch Frazer, the Faculty has a newly established Centre for Digital Innovation in Education.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin on November 17, 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:
A cover letter including what type of Tier 2 CRC Chair is being applied for (SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR) (maximum 3 pages)
A comprehensive Canada Research Chair vision statement and research plan (maximum 5 pages) including plans to develop or extend externally funded research grants and contracts. The CRC will also contribute to leadership of the newly established Centre for Digital Innovation in Education , as such including a section on ideas for collaboration with CDIE connected to their research agenda is strongly encouraged
Teaching and Mentorship statement (maximum 3 pages) emphasizing their research mentorship experience, teaching philosophy, teaching accomplishments and pedagogical innovations especially in relation to AI in Education, and a brief summary of teaching evaluation data
A curriculum vitae
Three of the applicant’s most influential publications (or other research contributions) focused specifically on AI in Education
Describing experiences in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across research, teaching, and/or service activities and/or their plan to do so in the future integrated within above statements is encouraged
The name of three referees, including at least one referee from outside Canada who is internationally recognized in the field of AI and Education. Short-listed candidates will be required to have their letters of references sent directly by the referees to Ontario Tech prior to the formal interview stage

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. The 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.

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 CRC Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, following the program’s best practices. To be considered for this position all candidates must complete the confidential self-identification questionnaire included in this application process. In accordance with the University’s Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, and to support Ontario Tech University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, in our chairholders and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, only applicants who self-identify as a woman, which includes individuals from Gender Equity-Seeking Groups (individuals who identify as transgender, gender-fluid, non-binary and Two- Spirit) will be considered for this CRC opportunity. The objective of this measure is to increase the representation of the four designated groups in the allocation of Canada Research Chair positions.

Data collected will only be utilized to support the recruitment processes and shared confidentially with the search committee as required to support the reporting requirements to the Canada Research Chairs Program.

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.

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

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