Western University: Canada Research Chairs for Underrespresented Members of Designated Groups

Western University in London, Canada invites applications for Canada Research Chairs (CRC) in the research disciplines related to the mandates of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Western recognizes that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning and a community leader and understands that our pursuit of research excellence and our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion are mutually supporting. 

To address Western’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of the Designated Groups in our chairholders and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, only applicants who self-identify as a woman, Indigenous person or person with a disability will be considered for these CRC opportunities. 

It is anticipated up to 10 candidates will be selected for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair positions. Internal and external applicants are encouraged to apply and successful candidates will be required to submit a CRC nomination by a date to be determined. External applicants will be considered for a full-time academic appointment at a rank and appointment type commensurate with qualifications and experience in the appropriate academic unit; such an appointment will be conditional upon the successful award of the CRC to the candidate. 

In accordance with the CRC program for Tier 2 Chairs, candidates must be exceptional emerging world-class researchers (i.e., candidates must have less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination) who have demonstrated particular research creativity and have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields within five to ten years. As chairholders, candidates must have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers and be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as pregnancy, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may contact ResearchWesternCRC@uwo.ca to have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. 

Western recognizes the potential impact that legitimate career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Potential candidates are encouraged to explain within their application the impact that career interruptions have had and to submit a full career or extended CV. 

In accordance with the CRC program for Tier 1 Chairs, candidates must be outstanding and innovative world-class researchers who have made a major impact and are recognized internationally as leaders in their fields. Candidates must have superior records of attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account different practices in the relevant field or discipline) and, as chairholders, will be expected to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers and be proposing an original, innovative research program of the highest quality. 

Successful candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent (eg. MD, DDS, with relevant professional designation or licensure), 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 on research excellence, as reflected in the number and quality of peer-reviewed publications, previous success securing research support, and other evidence of impact. 

With an enviable national reputation and an international profile that ranks among the top universities world-wide, Western pushes the boundaries of pedagogical and scholarly excellence while setting a national standard for a student experience that is second to none. Western is a founding member of Canada’s U15, serves as a hub for more than 500 international research collaborations, and is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. There are more than 38,000 students within Western’s 12 Faculties and Schools and 3 affiliated University Colleges. Approximately 4,000 faculty and staff work in partnership to deliver 400+ specializations, majors and minors, as well as innovative modular degree programs. For more information about Western’s strategic priorities, visit Western Strategic Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan and for information on Western’s research areas please visit Research Western.