Call for applications – Impact+ Canada Research Chairs – Resilience and Adaptation of Northern Organisms and Ecosystems

The Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) is seeking applications from exceptional researchers to submit to the Impact+ Canada Research Chairs program – Canada.ca.

The candidate will be expected to develop and lead a cutting-edge research program in the field of Resilience and Adaptation of Northern Organisms and Ecosystems that aligns with the strategic priority areas of Environment, Climate Resilience, and the Arctic, with links to Food and Water Security and Health established by the Government of Canada, and is in line with UQAR’s areas of research excellence in Nordicity. This Chair will contribute to strengthening these areas by producing new scientific knowledge tailored to the needs of public stakeholders and industrial partners.

January 27, 2026

Rimouski Campus

• Level of degree: Doctorate (Ph.D.), a requirement of UQAR and not of the program.
• Field of degree: Doctorate in biology, environmental sciences (in fields related to life sciences), data science, biostatistics modeling and bioinformatics, or other disciplines relevant to the position.
• Area of specialization: Biology and/or ecology of northern systems or organisms, with specialization, for example, but not limited to, in: Quantitative integration of multiple levels of organization and complexity; Biological and ecological systems (systems biology); Integrative ecology and quantitative biology; Theoretical biology, modeling, biostatistics, and bioinformatics, AI/machine learning; Collaborative co-construction research.
• Preferred research area: The incumbent will be required to develop a research program focused on northern ecosystems, whether in cold low latitudes or Arctic environments. Ideally, the program should be linked to some of the following themes:
  • Animal and plant ecology and physiology
  • Community and behavioral ecology
  • Systems biology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Biology and ecology of climate and global changes
  • Population genetics and genomics
  • Theoretical biology and modeling
  • Biostatistics and bioinformatics
• Program eligibility: The successful candidate must be eligible for the Canada Impact+ Chairs program and, in particular, be a full or associate professor at their current institution or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must have the qualifications necessary to be appointed to similar positions.
• Other considerations: The successful candidate must design and submit an ambitious research program aligned with one of the strategic priority areas established by the Government of Canada. The candidate must have demonstrated strong leadership potential in collaborative research and a strong potential for knowledge mobilization and application of research results, including practical applications, public policy, and commercialization pathways. The candidate must also demonstrate clear aptitude for interdisciplinary research and for recruiting and developing highly qualified personnel.

The position is open to Canadian citizens and non-citizens. The Impact+ Canada Chairs program does not impose any restrictions on candidates with regard to nationality. However, only candidates based abroad (working and residing outside Canada) at the cohort deadline are eligible.

Those interested in this position are asked to send their application to candidature_chaire_Impact_Canada@uqar.ca by 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2026.

The application must include:

1. A statement of your potential contribution to the excellence of Canadian and international research ecosystems (maximum 2 pages);
2. A statement of knowledge transfer and mobilization potential (maximum 2 pages)
3. A summary of recent accomplishments in the targeted priority research area (maximum 1 page)
4. Three (3) significant articles in your career;
5. Certification of your university degrees;
6. Three (3) to five (5) letters of recommendation.
7. The voluntary self-identification declaration form (provided by writing to louka_labonte@uqar.ca)
8. A statement explaining the impact of career interruptions on the application, if applicable (maximum 1 page)

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee, and the selection process will be based on the ability of applicants to meet the objectives of the Impact+ Canada Chairs program as described on the program’s website, Application Submission – Canada.ca. The selection process will be conducted in collaboration with the institution’s equity officer. In addition, each member of the selection committee will have been trained on unconscious bias in the hiring process, will be required to commit to EDI principles, and will be required to declare any real or apparent conflicts of interest.

UQAR will submit only Chairs valued at 8 million dollars over eight years (1 million dollars per year).

UQAR fully adheres to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in employment access, particularly for individuals from underrepresented, equity‑seeking, and rights‑seeking groups, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, members of 2ELGBTQIA+ communities, and racialized individuals. UQAR therefore strongly encourages individuals from these groups to apply to this competition. Selection tools may also be adapted to meet the needs of applicants with disabilities who request accommodation, in full confidentiality, by contacting Louka Labonté, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, at louka_labonte@uqar.ca.

UQAR also recognizes the impact that career interruptions such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities can have on research results. These considerations will be taken into account throughout the evaluation process from a perspective that goes beyond the traditional concept of excellence. Where applicable, candidates are invited to explain, at the time of application, the impact that a career interruption may have had or that an evaluation based on traditional criteria of excellence may have on their record of achievements. This information will be treated confidentially.

We invite you to visit the EDIA website at UQAR at L’EDIA à l’UQAR – Université du Québec à Rimouski.