Job Summary

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs at the University of Calgary represent a prestigious, one-time federal initiative designed to recruit world-leading researchers to address the most pressing national and global challenges. This is a high-stakes “Impact-First” appointment for Associate or Full Professors who possess the “wit” to lead transformative research and the “grit” to mobilize that research into tangible policy, commercialization, and social benefits. This program is a centerpiece of UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan, aimed at cementing the university’s status as a global innovation hub.

Job Details

Employer: University of Calgary (UCalgary).
Rank: Tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor.
Funding Value: $500,000 to $1,000,000 annually for an initial 8-year term.
Extension: Potential 4-year extension at 50% value.
Priority Areas: AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity, Health/Biotech, Clean Tech, Climate/Arctic, Food/Water Security, Democratic Resilience, Manufacturing, and Defense.
Posting Date: December 23, 2025 (Minimum 30-day window).

Key Responsibilities: The Impact Catalyst

Unlike traditional research chairs, the Impact+ program demands a direct line from the laboratory to the community.

Transformative Leadership: Build and maintain exceptional, diverse research teams to execute ambitious projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas.
Knowledge Mobilization: Actively translate research outcomes into practice. This includes developing commercialization pathways, influencing government policy, and creating measurable economic benefits.
Sectoral Partnership: Establish and sustain significant partnerships across private, public, and non-profit sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Institutional Advancement: Contribute to the university’s growth in research intensity, helping maintain its top-5 ranking among Canada’s research universities.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “World-Leading Scholar”: Must be a Full Professor or an Associate Professor on track for promotion within 1–2 years.
Academic Wit: A doctoral degree (or equivalent) with a globally competitive track record of research contributions and a demonstrated ability to attract major funding.
Mobilization Grit: Evidence of “tangible impact”—candidates must show how their work has already shifted industry standards, influenced policy, or created social change.
Collaborative Mindset: A proven ability to lead transdisciplinary teams and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Technical Insights: The Two-Stage Nomination Process

Securing an Impact+ Chair is a collaborative “marathon” between the researcher and the university.

Stage 1 (Internal): Applicants apply to the University of Calgary’s open posting. The university selects the most competitive candidates based on global standing and alignment with priority areas.
Stage 2 (Federal): Successful Stage 1 applicants co-develop a formal application with UCalgary for submission to the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS).
The “Safety Net”: Candidates unsuccessful at the national Impact+ level may still be considered for a Canada Research Chair (Tier I) nomination, ensuring that top-tier talent has a pathway to join the faculty.

Diversity and Statistics at UCalgary

The University of Calgary provides concrete data on its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), recognizing that a diverse faculty is essential for global impact.

Racial and Ethnic Representation: As of recent reports, approximately 23.5% of academic staff at UCalgary identify as members of visible minorities. Given that Calgary’s general population is 36% racialized, the university is actively prioritizing the recruitment of diverse world-class scholars to better reflect its community.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): UCalgary is located on Treaty 7 territory. The Impact+ program encourages research that respects Indigenous perspectives, particularly in priority areas like Climate Resilience and Food/Water Security.
The Gender Gap: Women currently represent approximately 41% of full-time academic staff. UCalgary explicitly encourages women and gender-diverse individuals to apply for these senior roles to address historical underrepresentation at the Full Professor level.
Disability and Accessibility: Approximately 4-6% of staff identify as persons with disabilities. The university offers comprehensive accommodation throughout the recruitment process to ensure equitable assessment.
Career Interruptions: The selection committee is formally instructed to use a “holistic” assessment, ensuring that leaves (parental, medical, or cultural) do not penalize a candidate’s record of excellence.

Job Description

Do you believe that research shouldn’t just exist in a journal, but should change the world? The University of Calgary is seeking Canada Impact+ Research Chairs. We are looking for the “Bold and the Audacious”—researchers who have the “grit” to lead a $1-million-a-year program and the “wit” to solve the world’s most complex problems in AI, Climate, or Health. If you are ready to “Start Something” in Canada’s most enterprising city, you belong here.

In this role, you are an “Innovation Architect.” You understand that a research team is a community and that its success is measured by its impact on society. Your goal is to provide “Excellence with Purpose,” ensuring that UCalgary remains a leader in global engagement and sustainability. We look for “Integrity-first” scholars who are collaborative, transformative, and ready to lead Canada’s next wave of innovation.

Joining UCalgary means joining a university that has grown faster than any other in Canada. We offer a high-intensity, professional environment in the world’s 5th most livable city, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. If you are a world-leading researcher with a commitment to “Measurable Impact and Inclusive Excellence,” we invite you to apply and go Ahead of Tomorrow with us.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.