Job Description

CALL FOR APPLICANTS:

Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) - Concordia University of Edmonton

Position:

Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Inclusive Practices

Online Posting Date:

October 1, 2025

Closing Date:

posted for a minimum of 30 days from date of posting update, with the possibility of extension until filled



The Faculty of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) invites applications from world-leading researchers for the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition. The CERC program is designed to attract world?renowned researchers to launch ambitious and impactful research programs at Canadian universities. CUE is seeking outstanding researchers in education, social sciences, or related disciplines for consideration as Canada CUE's Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) nominee.

About the CERC Program:

The CERC program offers eligible Canadian, degree-granting institutions an opportunity to establish research chairs with award values of $1 million per year or $500 thousand per year for eight years in areas that align with the Government of Canada's science, technology and innovation priorities.




CERC nominations are only available to individuals who are not currently appointed as CUE faculty members. Successful nominees must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Professor. In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be appointed at the rank of Associate Professor if it can be reasonably expected that they will be promoted to the rank of Professor within two years of the nomination. Candidates not currently in academic positions must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these ranks.




If an institution nominates a researcher who is currently at another Canadian institution, the nominating institution must demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another. Please consult the Canada Excellence Research Program website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.




Successful nominees will be expected to take up their position in Canada at CUE within 12 months of accepting the notice of award. Chairholders will be required to take up their appointment on a full-time basis. For more details on continuing eligibility requirements, see the Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Canada 150 Research Chairs Administration Guide.




The CERC program provides an opportunity for international researchers wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at CUE and to contribute to Canada's excellence in research and innovation. Applicants must be a Professor, or Associate Professor expected to be promoted to Professor within one year after the notice of award and acceptance has been signed by all parties.

Eligibility of Nominees: The CERC program aims to help Canadian institutions attract world-leading researchers and imposes no restrictions on nominees regarding nationality or country of residence. The Government of Canada has established procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada.

About Concordia University of Edmonton:

Established in 1921, Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is a community of learning grounded in scholarship and academic freedom, preparing students to be independent thinkers, ethical leaders, and citizens for the common good. Campus is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton's historic Highlands neighborhood. Supporting a student body of over 3,000, we are known for our small class sizes, our excellence in teaching, and our highly qualified job-ready graduates. Our small classes and diverse student population provide an excellent opportunity for engaging with students in a sustained and nurturing way unique within the Canadian university system. CUE is an institution that values, promotes, and integrates research in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and management. CUE is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for work, study, and living. We actively promote dignity for all, rejecting action and language that are harmful to mutual respect.

About the Faculty of Education and Priority Area:

The Faculty of Education is comprised of the Departments of Education and Physical Education, as well as wellness programs, offering the highly renowned degrees, Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEd AD), and Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MEd EL). The faculty also offers three Minors, providing undergraduate students the opportunity to complete courses within the disciplines of Education, Physical Education, or Sport Studies as a component of an undergraduate degree in Arts, Management, or Science.

Priority Area - Inclusive Practices: The Faculty of Education at CUE is seeking outstanding researchers in education, social sciences, or related disciplines for consideration as a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) nominee. The nominee is expected to contribute to, and advance, the existing programming offered in the Faculty. Additionally, the nominee will be expected to mentor graduate and undergraduate students, develop training opportunities for the next generation of inclusive researchers, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. We welcome applications from globally recognized scholars with an active research program that aligns with the priority area of Inclusive Practices.






Applicants should have a focus on applied research in inclusive practices in education, workplace, and/or community that address the profound systemic inequities and disparities impacting the health and wellness of persons with disabilities. The successful CERC nominee will lead the Canadian Institute for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (CIPD), a multi-disciplinary hub dedicated to research, practice, and advocacy.



The Faculty of Education is home to the Canadian Institute for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (CIPD), the outcome of a strong partnership between CUE and Inclusion Alberta. The CIPD is a first of its kind in Canada, fostering collaboration between educational institutions, government, communities, and the public to meet the objective of advancing knowledge, inclusive practices, innovative approaches, and policy development to ensure the full inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS & AWARD REQUIREMENTS

The CERC recruitment is a two-stage process. First, candidates apply to an open job posting at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). The successful applicant from that first stage will then enter a second stage and work with CUE to co-develop an application for the federally funded CERC program. CUE provides substantial support in the preparation and development of the program application.



Appointment to CUE is contingent upon the phase 1 selected candidate being awarded a Canada Excellence Research Chair and is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the CUE's Board of Governors and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS). Interested applicants are invited to review the full program details.



CERC Chair awardees will have up to 12 months to take up the award after the notice of award and acceptance has been signed by all parties.



CERC Chair awardees are appointed for a term of eight years, with awards valued at either $8 million or $4 million (throughout the duration of the award).



Candidates who are unsuccessful in a CERC chair application at the national competition may be considered as a nominee for a Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in the priority area identified in this call for applications.



Appointment at the rank of

Associate Professor

requires evidence of an established academic program, with the individual being an internationally recognized scholar and senior associate professor, expected to be promoted to professor within one to two years. It is expected that a record of high-quality research and scholarship suitable to the discipline or field has been achieved.




Appointment at the rank of

Professor

is reserved for those whose academic achievements would normally be recognized by their peers within the University and beyond to be of a caliber equivalent to international standing and as outstanding in their community, discipline, or field.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants are required to submit the following:


1. Letter of application (such as a cover letter) with the following (maximum 2 pages):

description of how the applicant's research aligns with one (or more) of the Government of Canada's science, technology and innovation priorities; description of how the applicant's research aligns with the priority area for the Faculty of Education at CUE, as outlined in this posting; description of the societal impact of the applicant's most significant contributions.


2. Curriculum vitae, with key information that addresses the requirements of the CERC program described in this document, and a selection of research publications;



3. Research statement (maximum 3 pages), describing the candidate's current and proposed CERC research program;



4. Teaching statement (maximum 3 pages), outlining the candidate's teaching philosophy, approach, and methods, and how they will apply as a CERC at CUE;



5. Statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) (maximum 3 pages) describing how the applicant has or will incorporate EDI into research design and research team;


6. The names and contact information of three referees (with postal and email addresses) who are established authorities in the field and who are not in a conflict of interest.

Preferably, at least one referee is from a recognized international authority in the candidate's field who does not reside in the country in which the candidate is currently working. In cases where the applicant is a Canadian Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Metis) researcher based in Canada, the name and contact information of an international referee is not required.

Additional Requirements:

1. CUE requires the successful candidate to have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline.



2. The applicants must demonstrate a globally competitive track record of research contributions in their field, including a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within their research ecosystems, demonstrated leadership/mentorship within research teams, and evidence of strong knowledge mobilization within and beyond academia.


3. The successful candidate will be asked to provide a satisfactory Criminal Records Check (as a condition of employment offer).


4. The candidate selected for nomination to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program will be required to attest to their compliance with the Government of Canada's policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Government of Canada's safeguarding your research website for further information on the identification and mitigation of security risks.

Complete applications must be submitted via CUE's electronic portal

to ensure full consideration. Assessment of applications will begin within 30 days of posting until the position is filled, with a goal of hosting virtual interviews in late November and December of 2025.



The Canada Excellence Research Chair program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants. As part of CUE's efforts to fulfill our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity, all applicants will be required to submit a brief online survey as part of the application process. While completion and submission of the survey is mandatory, applicants may decline to answer any of the questions. The applicant's self-identification information is confidential, and access is limited and restricted to designated individuals. Should you have any further questions about the survey, please contact CUE's HR department (hr@concordia.ab.ca).

CUE's COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT

CUE strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of who we are. CUE seeks a qualified candidate who shares our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. While all qualified applicants are invited to apply, we welcome applications from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.



In the interest of equity, fairness, and transparency, the search committee will consider career interruptions and life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, sick leave, care for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or the impacts of COVID-19). The search committee is aware that these circumstances are part of life and are likely to have an impact on a candidate's record of research achievement, and that these impacts will be carefully considered during the evaluation process. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to share any relevant information related to career interruptions and/or their experience and explain how these have impacted their career path.



Applicants with disabilities who might require accommodations at any stage of the application process are encouraged to contact Mark Parsons the Human Resources Department in confidence (hr@concordia.ab.ca) to communicate accommodation needs.




We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

About Edmonton, Alberta:

Located along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the fifth largest city in Canada and the capital city of the province of Alberta. We are one of the youngest and fastest-growing cities in the country. Edmonton is the northernmost city in North America with a population over one million people. We are the gateway to Canada's North and only a few hours from the Canadian Rocky Mountains.



Edmonton's River Valley is North America's largest stretch of urban parkland (22 times the size of New York's Central Park). The river valley and park systems have 160 kilometres of trails scattered throughout the city for jogging, strolling, running, or biking, where you can find yourself surrounded by wildlife as you take in the beautiful views of the cityscape.



Edmonton is one of Canada's sunniest cities. During the summer, Edmonton can have up to 17 hours of daylight! In the wintertime, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen on a regular basis.




Edmonton is a major urban centre with world-class attractions, sporting amenities, arts and entertainment, and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to live, make friends, and raise a family.



All inquiries regarding this position may be directed to:


Dr. Tim Cusack Dean, Faculty of Education Email: dean.education@concordia.ab.ca





Concordia University of Edmonton


7128 Ada Blvd


Edmonton, Alberta T5B 4E4


Canada


https://concordia.ab.ca/

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Concordia University of Edmonton is located on Indigenous lands and territories now called Treaty No. 6 territory and the homeland of the Metis Nation (District 9). We honor and respect the agreements made by our ancestors to live in good relations for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the river flows.