Canada Excellence Research Chair in Science, Technology and Innovation

About the CERC Opportunity
Dalhousie University invites applications from world-class researchers for the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Competition – one of Canada’s most prestigious research appointments.

The CERC program attracts and retains globally recognized researchers to lead in future-critical fields within the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) priorities for the CERC program. Appointed for 8-year terms with awards valued at $8 million or $4 million, CERC recipients receive competitive salaries and dedicated support and funds to build world-class programs and teams.

Dalhousie expects to champion up to 4 CERC nominations. Taking an open approach, we invite exceptional researchers from around the world to bring forward bold ideas that align with our six Strategic Research Clusters. Whether you’re driving clean tech solutions, advancing health and longevity, accelerating AI, propelling precision agriculture, working to improve civil society, or taking ocean science to new depths, we have a home for you.

Bring us your big questions — if selected we will work closely with you to build a strong nomination for a CERC at Dalhousie that empowers you to fully embrace your research goals.

View the full job posting and apply now.

About Dalhousie
Dalhousie is the only East Coast member of Canada’s U15 — the country’s leading group of research-intensive universities. With more than $250 million in annual research funding, we are Atlantic Canada’s engine of discovery and innovation.

Our faculty are part of a highly collaborative research community, supported by high impact infrastructure — including Canada’s largest aquatic research facility and cutting-edge platforms advancing discoveries in health and physical sciences. Researchers also benefit from and contribute to a fast-growing network of centres, institutes, and industry-focused hubs, and one of Canada’s most extensive ecosystems for research commercialization.

The university welcomes more than 21,000 students from across Canada and over 115 countries worldwide. Anchored in Halifax, Nova Scotia — with additional agricultural and medical campuses, and academic and clinical programs across the province and beyond — we are making positive change in the communities we serve locally, nationally, and around the world.

Learn more about CERC opportunity at Dalhousie 

Qualifications and eligibility
Dalhousie’s open posting went live May 1, 2025, interested applicants must apply by June 30, 2025. Selected candidates will then work with the university to develop a full application for the 2026 CERC competition due March 18, 2026. Results of the CERC competition will be announced by January 2027.

Applicants must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one to two years of the nomination. If from outside the academic sector, applicants must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels.

How to apply
Dalhousie is actively seeking potential CERC candidates and the call for applications is now open.

To be considered for nomination:

1. Review the application instructions in the full job advertisement.
2. Submit your materials by June 30, 2025
3. Shortlisted candidates will work with Dalhousie to develop a full nomination to the national CERC program.

General inquiries regarding this posting can be directed to [email protected].

Apply now

Dalhousie’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) is integral to Dalhousie’s vision, mission, actions, and culture, and influences how we interact with one another on a daily basis. Our work in this area requires both acknowledging historical injustice and addressing ongoing systemic inequalities within our campus community and beyond.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.

Dalhousie recognizes that career paths can be diverse and that career interruptions may occur. Applicants are encouraged to include, in their cover letter or CV, an explanation of the impact that any career interruptions may have had on their record of research achievement. This may include impacts related to life circumstances, for example, illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID-19 impacts).

Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed online at: www.dal.ca/policies. To request accommodation at any stage in the hiring process, please contact Kaitlyn Farrell at [email protected]

Dalhousie University operates in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. These sovereign nations hold inherent rights as the original peoples of these lands, and we each carry collective obligations under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.

We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.

Canada Research Chair Opportunities
Candidates may also be considered as a nominee for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) position or other available opportunities at Dalhousie. The CRC program was established by the Canadian Federal Government with the purpose of attracting outstanding researchers to the Canadian university system. Please contact the research grants office and see the CRC website (www.chairs.gc.ca) for more information on eligibility. Information about current CRC opportunities at Dalhousie is available here.