Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program

StFX University invites applications for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program, open to the rank of Associate or Professor.

Online posting date: February 6, 2026

Closing date: March 9, 2026

About the Impact+ Program

 The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Research Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Impact+ chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

Impact+ candidates must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the time of the first Impact+ Program intake application deadline are eligible to apply.

Impact+ candidates must have a recent track record of research accomplishments and significant interest in making new contributions to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the time of the first Impact+ Program intake application deadline are eligible to apply.

The Impact+ award is valued at $4 million or $8 million, over a period of 8 years, with a possibility for a four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value. The two award values recognize the varying costs of research within different research disciplines and aim to be inclusive of all areas of research.

About the Position

StFX is looking to recruit an Impact+ Research Chair which falls within one priority area of the Impact+ program: Environment, climate resilience, and the Arctic

Specifically, StFX seeks to build upon an existing cluster of research excellence at the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, which centres on Arctic Security Policy and International Relations. This position will therefore be open to candidates that demonstrate an extensive track record of research, teaching, and public policy engagement in these fields.

Appointment will be to an academic unit appropriate to the candidate’s area of academic interest and expertise. The candidate will also serve as a Chair under the umbrella of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, contributing to the Institute’s extensive and ongoing Arctic research program.

Successful candidates will be expected to start their position within 12 months of accepting the offer.

Duties

Successful candidates will be responsible for leading an innovative, transformative and world-leading research program within the strategic priority area of Arctic Security Policy and International Relations. The candidate will create and maintain an inclusive, collaborative environment; recruiting, teaching, and mentoring a diverse team of student researchers and trainees; overseeing all aspects of the research program, including team leadership, governance, and administration; elaborating and delivering a knowledge mobilization plan, and actively contributing to service within the academic community; collaborating with research chairs across the Brian Mulroney Institute for Government. The candidate’s research should align with the objectives of the Impact+ Program.

Successful candidates are expected to teach undergraduate courses, develop courses at all levels in their areas of specialization, supervise and mentor students, and contribute to the intellectual life of the University. This role requires both visionary research leadership and a commitment to fostering excellence and diversity in academic settings.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the Impact+ Program application deadline for each intake are eligible.


• Candidates should demonstrate an extensive track record of outstanding research and recognized international leadership in their discipline.


• Applicants must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed to the rank of Professor.


• A PhD is required by StFX University for appointment to this tenure-track position; however, this is not a requirement of the Impact+ Program itself.

Candidates should review the eligibility and selection criteria for the Impact+ Program prior to applying.

Canadians living abroad wishing to relocate to Canada are eligible and are encouraged to apply.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility

StFX recognises that life circumstances, such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities, maternity and parental leave, caretaking responsibilities including elder and community care, and work slowdowns due to chronic illness, or disability, or COVID-19, may have had an impact on the nominee’s record of achievement, and that these impacts must be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. For more information on StFX’s commitment to accessibility, please see our Accessibility Plan: https://www.stfx.ca/about/university-governance/strategic-plans/accessibility-plan. If you require accessibility supports as part of this application process, please contact Megan Fogarty, Director of Human Rights and Equity, [email protected].

StFX encourages applications from individuals from all underrepresented, equity-deserving, rights-deserving populations, including racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For more information on StFX’s commitments to EDIA, please see our university’s Office of Human Rights and Equity: https://www.stfx.ca/student-services/support-services/human-rights-equity/about-equity-diversity-inclusion-stfx  

Application Process

 This recruitment is being conducted in accordance with the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program requirements. To apply, applicants should submit a single PDF that includes:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining the candidate’s research vision and leadership experience, and describing anticipated requirements related to start-up support, research infrastructure, and space.


• A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including details of research and teaching experience, scholarly contributions, funding history, collaborations and partnerships, and research leadership.


• A research statement (maximum two pages) articulating the candidate’s proposed research program and its alignment with the relevant strategic priority area(s). The statement should describe how the proposed work will advance knowledge and translate discovery into meaningful social, economic, and/or policy impacts, including through collaboration with partners. The statement should be written in clear, accessible language suitable for a broad academic and non-academic audience.


• A teaching statement (maximum two pages) describing teaching philosophy, student or other highly qualified personnel (HQP) training philosophy, and approach to supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion.


• The names and contact information of at least three referees who can comment on the candidate’s research record, leadership, and impact.

Applications must be submitted electronically to Dr. Erin Morton, Associate Vice President Research Graduate, and Professional Studies. Informal inquiries regarding this opportunity may be directed to Dr. Morton ([email protected]) with cc to Navneet Kaur and David Bruce ([email protected] & [email protected]).

Job Details

Job Type: Tenure-track

Rank: Associate or Full Professor

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Posting Period

Applications are due March 9, 2026 to remain compliant with the Research Impact + program regulations.

Further details regarding the formal nomination process will be shared with selected candidates. This position is contingent upon a successful nomination through the Impact+ program. Final selection of a nominated candidate is subject to university budgetary approval.