Canada Impact+ Research Chair – Professor (Or Associate Professor)

Position Details

The invites applications from world-renowned researchers for the prestigious competition. The Impact+ program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s , build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Impact+ Chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

The Impact+ program provides opportunities for internationally renowned scholars and scientists in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Only candidates who are both working and residing outside of Canada, including Canadian expatriates, at the time of the application deadline are eligible to apply. It offers awards of two values: $1 Million/year or $500,000/year, for 8 years to establish an ambitious research program at the nominating university, with a potential for a four-year extension of 50% of the initial per annum award value. Award funds support not only the direct costs of research, but also associated indirect costs, and a portion of the funding may be allocated toward salary support in accordance with institutional and program guidelines.

Successful nominees will be expected to start their position at the University of Lethbridge within 12 months of accepting the award.

Position InformationThe University of Lethbridge invites applications from world-class researchers, including Canadian expatriates, who wish to relocate to Canada, who are committed to developing a transformative research program in Remote Sensing.

Applications must describe how the Chair will advance one or more of the following strategic priority areas using remote sensing:

• advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum computing methods in remote sensing);
• environment, climate resilience, and/or the Arctic;
• food and water security;
• defence and dual-use technologies.

Research FocusThe Department of Geography & Environment is home to the Institute for Geospatial Inquiry Instruction & Innovation [i4Geo], one of the foremost research institutes that is leading innovation, development, and HQP training in the geospatial sciences, including remote sensing, to address important issues affecting natural and human environments. Further information is at the .

The successful candidate will engage in remote sensing and related research that advances understanding and solutions in one or more of the following areas:

• Environment / Climate Change and Remote Sensing: understanding natural systems; addressing environmental challenges; modelling climate change; near real time monitoring of environments, agriculture, forests, oceans, disasters; automated analysis of climate change.
• Climate Resilience and Remote Sensing: multiscale and real-time observation of pollution, flooding, drought, sea-level rise, glacial melt, deforestation, wildfires, resource development, extreme events and hazard detection.
• Food / Water Security and Remote Sensing: Data-driven agricultural practices; agricultural runoff impacts; crop-health; pest detection; forecasting agricultural output; watersheds, early warnings for food/water crises.
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Remote Sensing Science: machine-learning / automated analysis of large datasets, calibration and validation, feature extraction, image processing and classification, change detection and multisource time series analyses.

The successful candidate will be appointed in the Department of Geography & Environment and will be expected to develop a robust, externally funded research program, contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, mentor and supervise Ph.D. and Master’s level students, serve the University, and engage with local communities.

Interested applicants are invited to view the full program details:
Our Values Accessibility, Belonging and Community for all are key for the University of Lethbridge. The University of Lethbridge recognizes that diversity enriches our campus and community and is fundamental to teaching, learning, and research excellence. The university as a whole embraces equity as a core value to build strong and vibrant communities of belonging where students, faculty and staff feel welcome, are treated equitably, and can thrive.

The University encourages applications from qualified individuals including all employment equity groups of indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals and persons of diverse gender and sexual orientation protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act.

The University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities may have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain the impact that career interruptions may have had on their record so that it may be considered in the hiring process.

The University of Lethbridge is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, including through all aspects of the hiring process. If you require support during the hiring process, please contact Helena Lang at so that accommodations can be put in place to support you. All private information received in relation to your request for support will be kept confidential, only information required to facilitate the accommodation will be shared with the selection committee.QualificationsApplicants must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within two years of starting their appointment. Applicants from outside academia must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed to these levels. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in a discipline appropriate to the field of research. This is a requirement of the University of Lethbridge, not the Impact+ program.

Applicants must have a strong record of research productivity and have a globally competitive track record of research contributions in their field. In addition to demonstrated leadership and a track record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students and research personnel, applicants should have a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain an equitable and inclusive research environment.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a faculty member as early as spring 2027. The appointment will be conditional upon the successful award of a Canada Impact+ Research Chair to the candidate.

How To ApplyApplications must include the following:

• A cover letter of application that identifies the theme of the applicant’s research, and the start-up funding, infrastructure, and space requirements.
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• A comprehensive Impact+ vision statement and research plan, limited to 5 pages, that presents an overview of the applicant’s proposed research program, including strategies for knowledge mobilization activities, plans for securing external funding, and alignment with the University of Lethbridge’s research strengths. It should also address potential collaborations within the University, the province of Alberta, and across Canada; highlight expected social and economic benefits for Canada; and demonstrate the programs’ contribution to the national and international research ecosystem.
• A statement no longer than 3 pages outlining the applicant’s research mentorship experience, teaching philosophy, and their efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and decolonization in their work. The statement should also include a plan for building and sustaining a diverse, safe, and inclusive core team and research environment.
• The names and email addresses of five potential arm’s length referees who are prepared to submit a letter of recommendation.

Any general inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to .

Application review will begin on March 9, 2026. To meet Impact+ Program timelines, the University of Lethbridge must select and confirm the nominee(s) in advance of the registration deadline of June 15, 2026, with a complete nomination package submitted to the Program by June 29, 2026.

Selection Process at the University of LethbridgeChairholders are selected through a highly competitive and rigorous two-stage application process. Applicants must first apply to an open job posting at the University of Lethbridge. Applicants will be evaluated by a committee responsible for identifying candidates who satisfy the selection criteria of the University of Lethbridge and the Impact+ program. All applications in this stage will be kept confidential. Shortlisted candidates will be assessed and recommended for appointment by a Search Committee, including additional academic reference confirmations, as this position is also subject to university approval.

The successful candidate will be invited to submit a full application package to the Impact+ program. The University of Lethbridge will provide substantial support in the preparation and development of the program application including budget planning, proposal development and editing. Running in parallel is appointment to an academic position per the process set out in the University of Lethbridge Academic Staff Collective Agreement.

The results of the Impact+ application are expected in September 2026. Position Category Other