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BUFA (Employee Group)Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
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Post End Date:
Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed .
February 13, 2026The Department of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences welcomes applications from world-leading scholars and scientists in Human Mobility and Wearable Technologies for consideration as nominees to the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) competition.
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program represents a $1 billion investment over 12 years from the federal government to support institutions in attracting internationally renowned researchers currently living and residing outside Canada. Impact+ Chairs are awarded in strategic priority areas established by the Government of Canada to address pressing global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits for Canada and the world. A core expectation is that Chairs and their research teams will build significant new partnerships and actively mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways. Impact+ Research Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects while actively developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.
Valued at either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, depending on the nature and costs of the proposed research program, the Impact+ program funds salaries, benefits, and research activities for Chairholders and their teams. A four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value, may be possible following an external review in Year 7 of the award. An additional investment of $400 million is allocated toward the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund to establish a complementary stream of research infrastructure support to ensure Chairholders have the world-class facilities they need to achieve their research goals.
The Impact+ Research Chair in Human Mobility and Wearable Technologies is aligned with several federal strategic priority areas, primarily of health, including biotechnology, and secondarily of advanced digital technologies and defence and dual-use technologies.
The Chair will lead a cutting-edge research program that integrates biomechanics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence (AI), and engineering to design the next generation of wearable technologies—such as robotic exoskeletons and intelligent prostheses—that adapt intelligently to the unique movement patterns of individual users. These technologies will support older adults in maintaining independence, assist injured individuals during rehabilitation, improve worker efficiency and wellness, and enhance performance while preventing injuries in elite athletes. The focus will be on technologies that will adapt to individual users, co-designed and evaluated with diverse participants to support equitable and accessible outcomes. Thus, AI-powered movement analyses, ensuring impacts for diverse populations will be considered with attention to inclusive recruitment, accessibility of study procedures, and mitigation of bias in AI-enabled analyses.
The Chair will also strengthen ongoing research occurring in the Department of Kinesiology by contributing new research expertise in human mobility and wearable technologies to existing research areas pursued by department faculty, including exoskeletons, digital motion, pose estimation, neurophysiology, biomechanics, and enhanced training and performance. In doing so, the Chair will play a central role in the Department’s and the University’s strategic plan to establish an internationally renowned research cluster focused on enhancing human performance through new wearable technologies and AI-powered movement analyses.
This vision will be realized through collaborations with the Department of Computer Science and the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, as well as Brock University Institutes and Centers, such as the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI), and Brock LINC. These partnerships will promote research in technology transfer, business, sports science, and occupational performance. Lastly, the Chair will contribute to the training, mentorship, and well-being of Brock undergraduate and graduate students through teaching and research supervision.
The Impact+ recruitment process is multi-staged. Interested applicants must first apply to this institutional posting. The selected candidate will work closely with Brock University to co-develop and submit a full nomination package to the Impact+ competition along with an infrastructure request of up to $6M to the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program website.
Impact+ nominations are subject to review and final approval through the Impact+ program. Appointment to a tenured faculty position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor is contingent upon the outcome of the Impact+ nomination.
The Brock University experience is second to none in Canada. Located in historic Niagara region, Brock offers all the benefits of a young and modern university in a safe, community-minded city, with beautiful natural surroundings. With over 18,000 students and more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in seven diverse Faculties, Brock excels at providing exceptional experiential learning opportunities and highly rated student and campus life experiences.
Brock University’s main campus is situated atop the Niagara Escarpment, within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, overlooking the city of St. Catharines, in the heart of Niagara wine country. The Niagara region is dotted with landmarks that recognize our nation’s history and features breathtaking natural beauty and world-famous attractions. St. Catharines is home to vibrant arts and entertainment venues, and is a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo, New York. With one of the warmest climates in Canada, clean, safe communities, and surprisingly affordable real estate, Niagara is an exceptional location to call home.
Brock University offers competitive salary and benefits and ample support for research and sabbaticals. Research resources include conference support, start-up funding, subscriptions to major databases, and access to various research funding vehicles. Benefits associated with Impact+ Research Chair appointments include partial teaching release and start-up research funds. Relocation expenses will be administered according to the Faculty Association Collective Agreement.
The Department of Kinesiology is a dynamic, research-intensive department within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, and is consistently ranked in the top 50-150 sports-related departments in the QS Rankings. The department has a strong record of obtaining and supporting Canada Research Chairs, including 2 current and 2 past Tier II Chairs (NSERC, CIHR), as well as 1 current Tier I NSERC Chair. The department offers a thriving community of researchers working in the areas of motor control, neuromuscular mechanics, advanced motion capture, AI, and assistive wearable devices. Existing industry connections (e.g., Niagara Prosthetics, Bracing and Orthotics, General Motors, Airbus, etc.) also provide a strong foundation for co-creation and real-world testing, simulation, evaluation and implementation.
The Department of Kinesiology is dedicated to the recruiting, training and retaining of highly qualified personnel. Through their Bachelor, Master’s, and PhD programs in Kinesiology, Physical and Health Education, and Applied Health Sciences, the Department of Kinesiology has more than 1,100 undergraduate students and over 100 graduate students, many of whom are involved in research and have successfully received tri-council scholarships.
We seek a dynamic researcher and educator with significant leadership in human-machine interfaces, distinguished funding success, partnerships with important industry leaders, and a demonstrated record of attracting highly qualified personnel. The successful candidate will have an established record of research excellence, international recognition, and a proven ability to translate research findings into impactful solutions that address challenges in human mobility. We are open to a diverse range of methodological approaches. In addition to traditional scholarly outputs such as peer-review publications, applicants are invited to demonstrate research excellence and impact through a track record of technology transfer and industry uptake for research outputs, and non-peer reviewed industry-focused publications.
Applicants are also expected to demonstrate previous successful mentoring or a continuous commitment to mentoring and training undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research technicians.
The selected candidate must be eligible for appointment as Professor or to be promoted from Associate Professor to Professor within two years. Applicants from outside the academic sector must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. At Brock University, such appointments typically require a completed Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
Only individuals working and residing outside Canada are eligible to apply.
Brock University is committed to building inclusivity and equity through understanding and respect for diverse identities. These commitments are reflected in our approaches to teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, administration and service provision, and community engagement. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in the recognition that the strongest research, scholarship, and creative activity and the best research training environment require engagement of scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded throughout Brock University’s Institutional Strategic Plan 2025–2030. The University welcomes diverse perspectives and creates the conditions for everyone to flourish and thrive. We value and celebrate one another as we journey together toward a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow. We believe strongly in our responsibility to act with honesty, integrity, collegiality, inclusivity, and transparency. We earn the respect and admiration of others — making our University, our region, and our world a better place. We embrace new thinking and welcome fresh ideas. Natural optimists, we have the creativity and courage to challenge conventional thinking to generate, translate, and mobilize knowledge for a better future.
Consistent with Brock University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, in recognition of and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Indigenous peoples, members of racialized groups, people with disabilities, women, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of one or more designated groups as part of their application. This information will be securely accessed to fulfill this hiring initiative and to ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s Research Chairs program.
Brock University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are expected to have an impact on an applicant’s record of research achievement. Differing career patterns may be more common among members of designated groups and those who have experienced workplace leaves. Applicants are invited to include a description of relevant considerations in their application materials. Please visit the Canada Research Chair Program Guidelines for Assessing the Productivity of Nominees for examples of circumstances that may impact an applicant’s record of achievement. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
While Brock University prioritizes Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as noted in Our Commitment, the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program and this search are restricted to only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of award acceptance. This search will follow Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada. For more information, please visit the Impact+ Program webpage on Eligibility of Nominees: https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/apply.html#11
Interested applicants must first apply electronically through the Brock Careers website using the “Apply” button. A single PDF document containing all application elements is preferred. (Note: File maximum of 5 MB per attachment upload.) If needed, supplemental application information beyond the 5 MB limit can be sent to the Department of Kinesiology, E-mail: kinesiology@brocku.ca.
Application elements include the following:
1) A letter of interest (suggested 2 pages) outlining:
a. your qualifications for a successful Impact+ Research Chair nomination;
b. alignment of your profile and expertise with this Impact+ Research Chair position; and
c. evidence of research excellence and impact.
2) A description of your program of research (suggested 3 pages), including:
a. your short-term and long-term vision for your future research program as an Impact+ Research Chair at Brock;
b. novel opportunities for training/supporting scholars and/or students within a variety of research contexts;
c. alignment with the Impact+ strategic priorities;
d. the novelty and significance of the proposed work; and
e. prospective partners, including academic institutions, research organizations, private- or public-sector organizations, and not-for-profit groups, as relevant.
f. the potential for the Chair to enhance your scholarly leadership and innovation capacity within the Department, Faculty, and University in strategic areas
3) An updated and complete curriculum vitae, which may include highlighting both traditional (e.g., grants, publications (peer-reviewed journals, books, and monographs), presentations, etc.) and non-traditional metrics around research excellence (e.g., community engagement initiatives, reciprocity in the form of partnerships and collaborative practices, advocacy work, knowledge translation, and other modes of scholarship that are relevant to your program of research). 4) A statement of mentorship philosophy, teaching philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students (suggested 2 pages).
5) A statement of strengths and experiences in supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous engagement for your discipline through research, curriculum, advocacy, community outreach or engagement, and student support (suggested 2 pages).
6) The names and contact information of three referees who could provide confidential letters of assessment that speak to the candidate’s suitability to hold this Impact+ Research Chair. Letters will not be requested unless an applicant is short listed.
The closing date for the position is February 13, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. The last business day to apply is Thursday, February 12th at 11:59 pm.
Review of applications will begin upon closing. Candidate interviews will be held in February 2026.
Original Posting Date [January 14, 2026]
Our Commitment
Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples, Black people, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized groups, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should fill out the Self-Identification Form and include the completed form with their application.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca