Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Healthy Development Across the Lifespan at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor

This position is part of the

BUFA (Employee Group)

Post End Date:

Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed .

February 14, 2026

About the CERC program

Brock University welcomes applications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Healthy Development Across the Lifespan for consideration as a nominee to the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition.

The CERC program is one of Canada’s most prestigious and well-funded research initiatives, designed to help Canadian universities attract and retain the world’s top research talent. Successful nominees and their teams receive either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, depending on the nature and costs of the proposed research program.

CERCs support world-leading, high-impact research aligned with the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) priorities. The CERC program builds critical mass in key areas of expertise, advances science and technology development, and strengthens Canada’s global research reputation while generating social and economic benefits for Canadians.

The CERC recruitment process is multi-staged. Interested applicants must first apply to this institutional posting. Selected candidates will work closely with Brock University to co-develop and submit a full nomination package to the 2026 CERC competition. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program website.

Brock University is committed to supporting the selected candidate in a full nomination to the CERC program. Appointment to a faculty position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor is contingent upon the outcome of the CERC nomination. CERC nominations are subject to review and final approval through the CERC program. Benefits associated with Chair appointments include teaching release and start-up research funds. If research infrastructure is required, candidates may also apply to the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), in alignment with CERC timelines. For more information, visit the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund webpage. For questions about Brock’s CERC process, please contact Tyler Weaver (tweaver2@brocku.ca).

About the Position

The Faculty of Social Sciences and the Lifespan Development Research Institute invite applications from world-leading researchers for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Healthy Development Across the Lifespan at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (subject to qualifications), tenured, to commence May 1, 2027.

This CERC addresses one of Canada’s most pressing challenges: advancing the mental, physical, and social well-being of individuals across the lifespan within increasingly diverse, complex and changing environments. The successful candidate will lead an internationally competitive, high-impact research program that advances understanding of the psychological, social, physiological and/or neural mechanisms underlying developmental processes and their links to physical and mental health across the lifespan. The CERC is designed to attract a global research leader whose scholarship and knowledge mobilization expertise will drive external investment, foster collaborative local, national, and international partnerships, and strengthen meaningful community engagement.

Brock University offers a strong and well-established foundation in lifespan research, with 90 active researchers spanning psychology, physiology, neuroscience, education, health sciences, sports science, and social contexts. The CERC will be a core member of Brock’s Lifespan Development Research Institute, a vibrant interdisciplinary hub that connects scholars across the Faculties of Social Sciences, Applied Health Sciences, Business, and Education. Brock University also is strategically located within a short drive of a dense cluster of research-intensive universities in southern Ontario, facilitating collaboration networks.

The CERC will hold a primary appointment in a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology or Child and Youth Studies) with a possible cross-appointment to departments such as Kinesiology or Health Sciences, depending on the candidate’s expertise.

The CERC aligns with two national CERC priority challenge areas: Healthy People and Populations and Innovative and Resilient Communities. We particularly welcome candidates whose research examines how psychological, social, physiological or neural mechanisms shape how individuals develop, adapt, and thrive in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, or aging populations.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. CERC nominees must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. The successful candidate will be a recognized national and international leader in lifespan development, bringing an outstanding record of research excellence and impact. We are open to a diverse range of methodological approaches. In addition to research leadership, applicants must demonstrate a sustained commitment to the training and development of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are also invited to describe their contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (e.g., inclusive mentorship, accessible teaching, equitable team practices, community partnership, etc.).

Brock University

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.

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 (including Black people), 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. Please note this information will be securely accessed for the fulfillment of this hiring initiative and to ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s CERC program.

Brock University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are expected to have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Where this is relevant, candidates are invited to share details they would like to have taken into consideration in their cover letter. 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.

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) is a vibrant community of internationally renowned researchers and scholars, award-winning teachers, dedicated staff and experienced academic advisors. As the largest Faculty at Brock University, we offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and provide multiple avenues to learning, research, community engagement, and career development. The Faculty of Social Sciences is home of 10 academic Departments and one Centre. The Faculty is a dynamic and vibrant academic environment with 177 faculty members, 43 staff, nearly 5000 undergraduate students, and over 400 graduate students. Please see: https://brocku.ca/social-sciences/

Lifespan Development Research Institute

The Lifespan Development Research Institute is a multidisciplinary collaborative effort dedicated to studying human development across the lifespan. The Institute involves 90 faculty members representing Social Sciences, Applied Health Sciences, Education, and Business, as well as 40 community agencies, who collaborate to investigate psychological, social, health, neurophysiological and educational aspects of life from infancy to old age. The Institute houses specialized labs, observation rooms, interview and testing rooms, as well as meeting rooms. Knowledge translation and mobilization are important parts of our mandate and we work to make our research openly available in a variety of formats.

Application Process and Timeline:

Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website. Please apply online using the “Apply” button. A single PDF document containing all application elements is preferred. (Note: File maximum of 5MB per attachment upload.) If needed, supplemental application information beyond the 5 MB limit can be sent to Lisa Betts (dsocsci@brocku.ca).

1. A letter of interest (suggested 2 pages) outlining:

a. your qualifications for a successful CERC nomination;

b. alignment of your profile and expertise with this CERC 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 a CERC at Brock;

b. opportunities for training/supporting scholars and/or students within a variety of research contexts; and

c. the potential for the Chair to enhance your scholarly leadership and innovation capacity within the Department, Faculty, and University in strategic areas.

d. How equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenous engagement (where applicable) will be meaningfully integrated into your proposed research design and research practices (e.g., research questions/methods, team training and mentorship, partnerships, and knowledge mobilization).

e. Note: Please include your alignment with the CERC priority challenge areas:

Healthy People and Populations, and Innovative and Resilient Communities.

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 (e.g., community engagement initiatives, reciprocity in the form of partnerships and collaborative practices, knowledge translation, and other modes of scholarship that are relevant to your program of research) metrics around research excellence.

4. A statement of mentorship philosophy, teaching philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students.

5. A statement of strengths, experiences and future plans in supporting Indigenous engagement (where appropriate) and equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) in their discipline through research design and practice, curriculum, mentorship, advocacy, community outreach/engagement, and student support.

6. The names and contact information of three referees who could provide confidential letters of assessment that speak to the candidates’ suitability to hold a faculty position and CERC at Brock University. Letters will not be requested unless an applicant is short listed.

The closing date for the position is February 14, 2026, at 12:01 am EST.

Review of applications will begin upon closing. Candidate interviews will be held in February 2026. Although we appreciate all applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The effective date for the academic appointment may be as early as May 1, 2027, but is negotiable with the Faculty Dean. The target hiring range for this position is $128,000 to $178,000. The final salary will be determined based on relevant experience, internal equity and budget considerations. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval.

It is expected that this search will lead to a nomination in March 2026, for which a decision from the CERC Program is anticipated in Winter 2027. Chairholders are expected to begin their appointment at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the award, with the earliest possible start date in Spring 2027. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Teena Willoughby, Chair of the Search Committee at twilloughby@brocku.ca.

This CERC position belongs to the Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA) employee group.

While Brock University prioritizes Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as noted in Our Commitment, the CERC program and this search impose no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. 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 CERC Program webpage on Eligibility of Nominees: https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx#6.

Brock University is committed to accommodating the needs of applicants through all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) as outlined below in the accommodation statement.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Stevey Hildebrand, Manager, Talent Acquisition & People Development at smoffat@brocku.ca.

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