CANADA EXCELLENCE RESEARCH CHAIR POSITIONS
Western University (London, Canada) invites world-leading researchers to apply for one of several prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) opportunities.
Launched in 2008, the CERC Program supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build upon Canada's reputation as a global leader in research and innovation and to attract world-renowned researchers to Canada. The awards are among the most prestigious and generous available globally. The program stands at the centre of our national strategy to foster research excellence in Canada and improve the depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and to help train the next generation of highly skilled people. The awards provide an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at Western and to contribute to Canada's excellence in research and innovation.
The CERC nomination is a two-stage process where applicants first apply to this job posting. Successful applicants then work with our institution to submit a nomination to the 2026 CERC competition. The university will support successful nominees throughout the development of their applications. Following a highly competitive selection process, the CERC program awards successful researchers and their teams either $8 million or $4 million over 8 years to establish ambitious research programs at the nominating university. There are two award values to recognize the varying costs of research within different research disciplines and to be inclusive of all areas of research.
Research Alignment
Western anticipates nominating up to three candidates for CERC positions, based on award value. Applications from outstanding established scholars are welcomed in the following seven areas, with at most one nomination to be selected from a given area:
(1) Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions
(2) Neuroscience and Brain Health
(3) Multi-Hazard Resilient Infrastructure
(4) Smart Infrastructure Technologies
(5) Electrochemistry and Materials Degradation
(6) Earth and Space Exploration – Astromaterials
(7) Political Polarization.
Please see the full job description available at this website: https://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/careers/CERC-2026-Job-Ad-May-8.pdf