Canada Excellence Research Chair - Mountain Water Security

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks world-leading researchers for the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Mountain Water Security. This prestigious role offers the chance to lead impactful research that addresses critical issues in water security, engaging with public, private, and Indigenous partners. Candidates must demonstrate a strong academic background, including a doctoral degree and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This position not only provides a platform for groundbreaking research but also contributes to the broader community and environmental sustainability. Join a vibrant academic environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a doctoral degree and a track record of impactful research.
• Evidence of leadership and commitment to equity in research is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a prestigious research program focused on mountain water security.
• Engage with diverse partners to advance knowledge and inform policy.

Skills

Research Leadership

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Transdisciplinary Approaches

Public Engagement

Education

Doctoral Degree in Relevant Discipline

Job description

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Canada Excellence Research Chair - Mountain Water Security

Job ID: 34554
Location: Main Campus
Updated April 18, 2025

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description

The University of Calgary 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. The successful candidate will be appointed at either the rank of Associate Professor (With Tenure) or Full Professor (With Tenure).

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global and innovative intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement. UCalgary is one of Canada's top comprehensive research universities, with more than 8,000 graduate students and 29,000 undergraduate students, more than 1,800 academic staff (continuing, contingent term or limited term appointment), more than 1,300 sessionals, and more than 2,900 non-academic staff, in 14 Faculties, across five campuses.

The CERC recruitment uses a two-staged process where interested applicants must first apply to the open job posting at the University. The successful applicant from that first stage will then enter a second stage, for which they co-develop an application with the University to the federal government funding program. Appointment to one of these positions is contingent upon the applicant being awarded a Canada Excellence Research Chair and is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the University 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 areas identified below.

This program provides an opportunity for international researchers, including Canadian expatriates wishing to relocate to Canada, to lead a prestigious research program at the University of Calgary and to contribute to Canada's excellence in research and innovation. Applicants must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one to two years of the nomination. As per University of Calgary requirements, successful applicants will have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline and will have a globally competitive track record of research contributions in their field including a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within their research ecosystems, and demonstrated leadership/mentorship within research teams.

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 full 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 Full 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.

University of Calgary CERC Theme - Mountain Water Security
Changes in water availability and quality have profound impacts on our health, wellbeing, our socio-economic stability, and survival. In mountain regions, the loss of the cryosphere (e.g., glacial degradation, shrinking snow seasons, permafrost thaw) poses serious risks to water supply for agricultural irrigation, hydropower, maintenance of riparian and aquatic ecosystem biodiversity and health, and secure drinking water supply. The CERC's research aims to understand, predict, and guide new adaptation and mitigation strategies to address mountain water security. Key objectives of this research could include (1) advancing our understanding of how disturbance and long-term changes push mountain freshwater systems past critical hydrological and ecological thresholds (tipping points), making it difficult to sustain both ecological services and societal needs; (2) designing and developing innovative tools to predict how mountain water systems will evolve under various environmental, societal and economic scenarios; and (3) promoting the design, development, and implementation of effective management and policy-relevant solutions that enhance mountain water security, community wellbeing, and economic sustainability.

Candidates should outline how their research will engage public, private, not-for-profit, and Indigenous partners to advance knowledge mobilization, inform policy, and build capacity in water governance and climate adaptation. Transdisciplinary approaches that connect fundamental science with applied outcomes are especially encouraged.

• Cover letter that identifies (maximum two pages):
  • the CERC theme aligned to the applicant's research.
  • description of the societal impact of the candidate's most significant contributions.
• Curriculum vitae including names and contact information of three referees.
• Brief description of the candidate's research plan, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team (maximum three pages)

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application.

The University of Calgary adheres to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and strives to evaluate research impact responsibly and inclusively by explicitly considering discipline-appropriate methods for demonstrating the quality, significance, and societal impact of a broad range of research contributions.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UCalgary
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

Posting Date: April 17, 2025
Closing Date: Posted for a minimum of 30 days with the possibility of extension until positions are filled.