Carleton University invites applications from outstanding researchers for up to two tenured appointments as a Canada Excellence Research Chair in the following research areas: Accessibility, Arctic Security and Diplomacy, Cybersecurity and/or Quantum Computing, and Experimental Particle Physics. 

To see the full position posting, please visit Carleton University’s Deputy Provost’s website at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/academics/. 

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program seeks to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers and build a critical mass of expertise in Canada’s science, technology and innovation priority areas (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/priority_areas-domaines_prioritaires-eng.aspx). Awarded Chairs are valued at either $500,000 or $1 million per year for a period of 8 years, including salaries and benefits for the Chairholder and their personnel. Appointment is conditional on the approval of the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs (TIPS) Secretariat through a separate application process, and results are expected in Spring 2027. The successful candidate will then have up to 12 months to take up the award and the duties of the position. Further information about the Canada Excellence Research Chair program is available at https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx.

Chairholders are expected to initiate and develop new directions of research that will complement and expand upon current research activity at Carleton, and actively contribute to knowledge mobilization within and beyond the academic community. CERCs at Carleton will teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will be involved in graduate supervision. As members of Carleton University Faculty, they will also provide service to the University. Applicants from outside the academic sector will be considered but must possess qualifications for a full-time academic appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level. 

The appointments will be made to the most appropriate academic unit depending on the expertise and qualifications of the successful candidates.

We encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations.

Carleton University is interested in recruiting CERCs in the research areas identified below. Applicants should explain how the proposed research program will advance one or more of the government’s science, technology and innovation priority areas (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/priority_areas-domaines_prioritaires-eng.aspx) within the selected research area.

Experimental Particle Physics: The Carleton University Particle Physics Group has an established track record of developing and implementing sensors and detectors for particle physics research. This includes the large-volume liquid argon dark matter search detectors, DEAP- 3600, located at SNOLAB, DarkSide-20k under construction at LNGS in Italy, and ARGO; thin-gap gas ionization detectors (NSW) and radiation-resistant silicon strip detectors (ITK) for ATLAS at the LHC at CERN; and multi-PMT photon detectors for the long-baseline neutrino project, HyperKamiokande, in Japan. The successful candidate will be an internationally leading researcher in particle physics with a demonstrated track record in research with world-class particle physics experiments. Applicants should demonstrate strong potential for obtaining significant research funding and attracting world-class research personnel. The successful candidate will take leadership on the development and implementation of the next generation of particle physics experiments in key research fields such as neutrino properties, dark matter, and physics beyond the standard model.

Candidates who are unsuccessful in a CERC selection process or application may be considered as a nominee for one of up to four Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs in the above research areas. Tier 1 Chairs are intended for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. All CRC appointments are conditional on the approval of the CRC Secretariat. For more details, please see the Canada Research Chairs Secretariat at https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ and the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services at https://carleton.ca/coris/.

Applications for a CERC at Carleton will be evaluated, regardless of award value and/or the career stage of the nominee, building on the CERC program selection criteria (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/definition_ratings-eng.aspx) The evaluation criteria are as follows:

In addition, Carleton University requires applicants to:

As per the CERC eligibility requirements, researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at Carleton University may not be nominated for a CERC by Carleton University.

The program imposes no restrictions on nominees regarding nationality or country of residence. Employment and Social Development Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html) have established procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada. 

For more information and any questions, please contact  Sue Geffken-Graham at cerc@carleton.ca 

Applications must be sent electronically to cerc@carleton.ca in one single PDF file which includes the following:

In Canada, both the Government of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities have introduced research security policies and guidelines to protect Canada’s world-class research. To ensure candidates are able to meet the federal and provincial research security requirements for external research funding, research security will be considered as part of the adjudication process. Carleton University encourages all applicants to review the federal Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, the federal National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and the provincial Research Security Guidelines for Ontario Research Funding Programs.

To help us develop our equity programs, a confidential equity and diversity self-identification survey will be sent to all applicants separately. 

Carleton University recognizes that life circumstances related to health (and/or disability), administrative, family, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, COVID-19, the introduction of research security measures or other factors are often part of life and are likely to have an impact on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We invite all applicants to provide an optional Career Interruption Statement outlining any career interruptions https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/?p=1784. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Successful candidates will be required to work with the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services to submit a registration (due January 21, 2026) and prepare the full nomination package (due March 18, 2026) for submission to the TIPS Secretariat.

Located in Ottawa, Carleton is an innovative teaching and research institution with a tradition of leading change. Internationally recognized academics, staff, and researchers engage more than 31,000 students in over 100 programs of study. Learn more about our university and the city of Ottawa at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/. 

We are strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the nomination and appointment process. 

Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to: women and gender equity-seeking groups; racialized individuals; Indigenous Peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation and/or gender expression. Carleton understands that career paths vary and interruptions will not prejudice the assessment process. We invite you to review our revitalized Indigenous strategy, Kinàmàgawin at https://carleton.ca/indigenousinitiatives/cu-files/kinamagawin/ and visit our Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at http://carleton.ca/equity for information about our commitment to leadership in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Accessibility is a university strategic priority and applicants selected for an interview who require accommodations or adaptive measures are invited to contact cerc@carleton.ca as soon as possible to ensure that appropriate arrangements may be made.