Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC)

Job Details Regular/Temporary Regular Job Title Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) - DeGroote School of Business Job ID 69311 Location Central Campus Open Date 08/05/2025 Job Type Tenure Track Close Date 11/06/2025 Employee Group Academic Favorite Job Department DSB Central Administration Contract Duration 97.4 Months Hours per Week 35 Job Description

Canada Excellence Research Chairs Nominees
DeGroote School of Business

McMaster University is seeking outstanding researchers specializing in energy systems management for consideration as Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) nominees. We are seeking a CERC nominee who can enhance the school’s research efforts in optimization and planning in the areas of renewable energy, distributed energy resources, microgrids, and energy economics and policy.

The CERC program offers eligible Canadian, degree-granting institutions an opportunity to establish research chairs with award values of $1 million per year or $500 thousand per year for eight years in areas that align with the .

Nominees must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels.

Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible to be nominated; however, they may not be nominated by the institution at which they currently hold their appointment. If an institution nominates a researcher who is currently at a Canadian institution, the institution must demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another. Please consult the for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.

About the Institution

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations, and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

McMaster's main campus, located in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, Ontario, is comprised of 300 acres of scenic property at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Our 30-acre central core is designated for pedestrians and bicyclists. Nearby attractions include Cootes Paradise, the Bruce Trail, the Waterfront Trail, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Niagara Escarpment - a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the world (). Home to 70 research centres and institutes, the University is comprised of six faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, and the Faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. Ranked second in the Canada for both graduate student and faculty research intensity (), we are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment where innovation and creativity thrive. With a diverse student population of more than 37,000, McMaster aims to serve the social, cultural and economic needs of our community and society at large by inspiring critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for lifelong learning.

McMaster has a vision to use our collective skills, knowledge, and understanding to improve the world and to make an impact in addressing the big issues we face. In committing to that vision, we are also focused on the promotion of inclusive excellence, recognizing the critical role that diversity of identity, background and perspective play in harnessing creativity and innovation, and the importance of building inclusive and collegial teams within our community.

About the Faculty

At the DeGroote School of Business, we explore critical issues that are important to not only Canadian organizations and individuals but to the broader global community. Our research is driven by two key factors: impact and collaboration. Our researchers investigate real-world challenges that impact Canadian and global businesses. Whether it’s enhancing organizational efficiency, addressing societal issues, or exploring global trends, our work has a tangible impact. DeGroote is committed to bridging the gap between academia and society. And we believe in the power of collaboration. Our researchers collaborate across disciplines, which enriches their perspectives and drives innovation.

Our focus areas are diverse and include digital transformation, entrepreneurship, health innovation, and sustainability. This unique opportunity is available for visionary researchers dedicated to advancing energy systems management. McMaster University hosts a world-class nuclear research reactor, an interdisciplinary Institute for Energy Studies and the interdisciplinary Energy Studies Review Journal. The DeGroote School of Business, together with the Faculties of Engineering and Science, are leading an initiative to bolster research in the areas of energy and climate change. The School of Business has recently recruited several faculty members in different areas of business sustainability.

Selection Criteria

McMaster’s nominees for the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program will be selected in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Research/academic merit and leadership skills of the candidate

• The candidate is a top-tier researcher whose accomplishments have made a major societal impact (as appropriate based on career stage) and who is recognized internationally as a leader. In cases where the candidate is a Canadian Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) researcher based in Canada, the impact can be at the international level and/or at the community, regional or national level. Quality and impact of the candidate’s research track record, including their record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, faculty recruitment committees, advisory committees).
• The candidate’s record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment.
• The candidate’s plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse core team (at the student, trainee, personnel and early-career researcher levels), and an environment that is safe and inclusive and allows all team members to reach their full research potential (e.g., through the recruitment and outreach strategy, equitable training opportunities, professional development and mentoring).

2. Quality of the research program

• Extent to which the proposed research program aligns with one or more of the for the CERC program.
• Extent to which the proposed research program promises to be world-leading in the field.
• Extent to which the proposed research program enhances knowledge mobilization and translation so that all sectors of society (industry, government, academia, not-for-profit, etc.) benefit from the research and data generated.
• Quality of the proposed research program in terms of how it has embedded EDI considerations (i.e., ) at each stage of the research process (research questions, design, methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and dissemination of results), as applicable.
• Quality of the proposed research program in terms of how research is co-created and co-led by and with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, as investigators, trainees, partners and collaborators, and its recognition of Indigenous ways of knowing (as applicable).

3. Potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international research ecosystem

• Likelihood that the work associated with the proposed research program will be recognized as globally relevant and will advance the frontiers of research in the field on a global scale.
• Opportunities for collaboration with other researchers working in the same or related areas at the nominating institution, in the same region, within Canada and abroad.
• Likelihood that the work of the proposed Chair will advance Canada’s reputation as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence.
• Plan of the Chair and core team members to communicate the research results and their impacts to the world and a variety of audiences.
• Potential to apply the research results from the Chair to advance public policy and/or the potential to commercialize research discoveries from the Chair in order to create social and economic advantages for Canada

In keeping with its , McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

How to Apply

Dr. Elkafi Hassini, Associate Dean, Research, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, TSH 613, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4.

Interested applicants should submit the following June 12, 2025:

• letter of application demonstrating how the candidate meets the selection criteria outlined above (2 pages);
• curriculum vitae (3-5 pages) with key information that addresses the requirements of the CERC program described in this document;
• research statement (2-3 pages), describing the candidate’s current and proposed CERC research program;
• teaching statement (2 pages), outlining the candidate’s teaching philosophy, approach and methods, and how they will apply as a CERC at McMaster;
• statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (2-3 pages) describing how the candidate has or will advance the University’s commitment to building an inclusive community and to fostering a culture which embraces and promotes the rich diversity of the campus community (activities may include diversity-related programming, committee work and/or mentoring women and/or other groups that have been historically marginalized or disadvantaged.);
• a selection of research publications; and
• the names and contact information of at least three referees (with postal and email addresses) who are established authorities in the field, who are not in a conflict of interest, and at least one of the which is from a recognized international authority in the candidate’s field who does not reside in the country in which the candidate is currently working. In cases where the applicant is a Canadian Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) researcher based in Canada, the name and contact information of an international referee is not required.

McMaster University recognizes that life circumstances such as 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) are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage candidates to explain in their applications the impact that career interruptions or other issues may have had, as described under for ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment and nomination process. Further detail may be found under . These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Please note, a research security review of candidates being considered for nomination to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program will be undertaken by McMaster University. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Government of Canada’s website for further information on the identification and mitigation of security risks. Moreover, candidates selected for nomination to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program will be required to attest to their compliance with the Government of Canada’s policy on .