Lakehead University
Canada Impact + Research Chairs
Posting Date: January 23, 2026; Revised January 27, 2026
About the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Opportunity
Lakehead University invites applications from exceptional, internationally based researchers for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program. This national initiative is designed to recruit world-leading scholars whose work addresses critical global and national challenges and who are poised to build transformational research programs in Canada. Lakehead University can nominate up to 6 Impact+ Research Chairs across the Government of Canada’s strategic priority areas, as part of one of the most significant research recruitment opportunities in the university’s history.
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs receive long-term funding of either $8 million or $4 million, over eight years, with the possibility of a four-year extension at 50 percent of the original value of the initial award based on demonstrated research impact and sustained partnerships. Institutions may also request up to $6 million per chair in research infrastructure funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
The Canada Impact + Research Chairs submission process requires an application to Lakehead University (see details below) for Intake 1 and 2. Review of applications will begin February 26, 2026 until all available Canada Impact + Research Chair positions are filled by the internal deadline for the second Intake: May 15, 2026, 8:00 pm EST.
Canada Impact+ Strategic Priorities
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs are awarded in areas identified by the Government of Canada as critical to global and national challenges. These priorities closely parallel Lakehead University’s own research priorities and strengths and are reflected in the university’s Strategic Research Plan. Applications must demonstrate how the proposed program will advance one or more of the following strategic priority areas:
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advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity);
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clean technology and resource value chains;
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defence and dual-use technologies;
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democratic and community resilience;
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environment, climate resilience and the Arctic;
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food and water security;
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health and biotechnology; and
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manufacturing and advanced materials.
Chairholders are expected to build meaningful partnerships across sectors and Indigenous communities, and to ensure that research outcomes translate into practice, policy or commercialization pathways with measurable societal and economic benefit.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs opportunity is designed for internationally renowned researchers who are ready to establish a major research program in Canada. To be eligible, candidates must:
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Have a strong recent record of research achievements and a demonstrated interest in contributing to Canada’s research and innovation landscape;
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Be internationally based at the time of the first intake deadline (both working and residing outside Canada);
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Hold the rank of full professor or associate professor;
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If recruited from outside the academic sector, a candidate must have equivalent qualifications for appointment at that level.
Compensation
This position may be filled at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor, depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
The expected compensation range for this position is:
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Associate Professor: $141,099 - $191,099
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Full Professor: $165,341 - $215,341
Salary will be determined in accordance with the collective agreement and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Successful applicants will be appointed to an appropriate academic department/school/faculty at Lakehead University.
Associated positions for consideration
Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs candidates are encouraged to identify promising early career collaborators within the same strategic priority area as the Impact+ Research Chairs nominee who could be strong nominees for the associated Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program, which provides $100,000 per year for six years.
Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC)
Canada Excellence Research Chairs candidateswill also be considered for Canada Impact + Research Chairs. More information about the Canada Excellence Research Chair program can be found here. Additional information on the specific Lakehead University call for a CERC in the Department of Biology in the area of Freshwater Sustainability and Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems can be found here. Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) awardees are appointed for a term of eight years, with awards valued at either $1 million or $500,000 annually.
Why Lakehead
For 60 years, students and researchers have come to Lakehead University to succeed and discover what’s next. Lakehead University is advancing research, scholarly and creative work; providing transformative learning experiences that position graduates for success; and finding solutions to society’s biggest challenges through academic programming, research and collaboration. Lakehead University is recognized as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities in its category for the last decade (Research Info$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 respectful 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.
Our faculty work within a highly collaborative research community supported by major infrastructure, including the facilities offered through the centralized Lakehead University Centre for Analytical Services (LUCAS), and affiliated member LUCAS laboratories. Researchers contribute to and benefit from a growing network of research centres, institutes, and hubs driving discovery and industry partnership in areas like biorefining, advanced materials, environmental conservation, population health, food and water security and much more.
We offer an extensive ecosystem built to support research commercialization. Our researchers own and control their intellectual property. And, from idea to impact, we support researchers at every stage, whether developing and protecting IP, launching a startup, partnering with industry, or advancing social innovation.
How to Apply
To apply, applicants are asked to provide the following three documents:
1. A cover letter that identifies:
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Alignment with one or more of the strategic priority areas (listed above)
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The applicant’s start-up funding, infrastructure and space, and research team requirements
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The applicant’s interest in coming to Lakehead University, including any relevant connections to the university or the regions served by the University.
2. A full curriculum vitae (please include details of research and teaching, scholarly record, funding, collaborations/partnerships with industry, government, not-for-profit, and/or community, and leadership experience).
3. A Research Statement, submitted as a single PDF, including the following:
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A five-page (maximum) research statement that includes:
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An overview of the applicant’s research proposal, including knowledge mobilization and innovation activities
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How the proposed research embeds equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) considerations at each stage of the research process
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Potential to collaborate with other researchers at Lakehead University, Ontario and Canada
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Social and economic benefits for Canada that will result from the research program, including potential industry, government, not-for-profit, and/or community partnerships
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Contribution and fit to the research ecosystem in Canada and internationally
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A one-page (maximum) statement that describes the applicant’s past experience with attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment.
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A one-page (maximum), if applicable, statement that demonstrates how the proposed research program will value Indigenous ways of knowing, how it will extend research knowledge in the field that is significant for Indigenous Peoples and communities and contribute to decolonization.
For further information on the Canada Impact + Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Program website.
The Canada Impact + Research Chair appointment is subject to approval by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat. Once approved, appointments are expected to commence January 1, 2027.Review of applications will begin February 26, 2026 until all available Canada Impact + Research Chair positions are filled. Applicants should submit their electronic application quoting the above reference number to:
Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Email to: [email protected]
Questions about the application process should be addressed to: [email protected]..
The Canada Impact + Research Chairs Program does not impose any restrictions regarding nationality or country of residence of the nominee. However, given the Program’s focus on the attraction of outstanding researchers to Canada, the University will only consider those candidates who currently hold an academic appointment outside of Canada.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is 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 purposes.
We appreciate your interest in the Canada Impact + Research Chairs Program at Lakehead University; please note that only those selected for an interview will be notified.
Equity Statement
Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 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.
Please visit our Office of Human Rights and Equity website: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/departments/services/human-ri... and our Human Resources policies related to accommodations and supports: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/policies/human-resources to explore all of the supports our organization provides to enable a strong and connected employment experience.
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 [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.
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; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires.
