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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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Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.
Post End Date:
Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed .
February 14, 2026The Department of Geography and Tourism Studies (DGTS) in the Faculty of Social Sciences welcomes applications from world-leading scholars and scientists in Climate and Environmental Change for consideration as nominees to the Canada Impact+ Research Chair (Impact+) competition. This includes those whose excellence is demonstrated through diverse career paths, community partnerships, and inclusive research leadership.
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+ 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 Climate and Environmental Change is aligned with the federal strategic priority area of environment, climate resilience and the Arctic and will lead transformative physical science research addressing the urgency of climate change. This may include studying the impacts of climate change on physical systems (e.g., northern [Arctic] or boreal ecosystems, viticulture and tender fruit production, Great Lakes eutrophication and shoreline erosion, water resources, extreme weather, urban environments, and ecosystem disturbances) as well as addressing resilience to climate change. Collaborating with stakeholders, policymakers, and community leaders, the Impact+ Research Chair will support the development of innovative adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored to local, Indigenous, and national priorities, with relevance on a global scale.
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. This position could involve collaboration with the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) and is part of the Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA) employee group.
For questions about Brock’s Impact+ process, please contact Samantha MacLean (smaclean@brocku.ca).
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+ Chair appointments include partial teaching release and start-up research funds. Relocation expenses will be administered according to the Faculty Association Collective Agreement.
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.
The selected candidate will join the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies, with a possible cross-appointment or collaboration with the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) as relevant to the successful candidate’s research area.
For more information about the Brock University Geography and Tourism Studies department, please see our webpage (https://brocku.ca/social-sciences/geography/).
Qualifications
We seek a dynamic researcher and educator who will contribute to transformative physical science research addressing the urgency of climate change. 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 environment, climate resilience and the Arctic.
Only individuals working and residing outside Canada are eligible to apply.
The candidate will be a top-tier scholar recognized by their peers for their potential or achievements in their field. The Impact+ Research Chair will be required to develop a promising and innovative research program while demonstrating competence in teaching and mentorship. Applicants may demonstrate research excellence and impact through traditional scholarly outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, and/or through alternative forms of knowledge mobilization.
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) a related discipline.
The Impact+ Research Chair will also teach courses in the BSc program in physical geography. The Chair will join the department in contributing to the training, mentorship, and well-being of Brock undergraduate and graduate students through research supervision in relevant programs at Brock University. The Chair will demonstrate a commitment to inclusive teaching and equitable mentorship, including practices that support accessibility, student belonging, and respectful research environments. Applicants are invited to describe their contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and reconciliation (e.g., inclusive mentorship, accessible teaching, equitable team practices, community partnership).
The Chair will be encouraged to incorporate equity-informed approaches that recognize disproportionate climate impacts on underserved communities and to co-develop accessible, usable outputs with partners. We are interested in candidates who employ geographical field and lab research techniques, geospatial analytical tools, or computational technologies, and/or community-engaged approaches, including research that respectfully engages with Indigenous ways of knowing, where appropriate, and is grounded in reciprocal partnerships.
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
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 5 MB per attachment upload.) If needed, supplemental application information beyond the 5 MB limit can be sent to geog_tour_chair@brocku.ca.
1) A letter of interest (suggested 2-4 pages) outlining:
a. your qualifications for a successful Impact+ Research Chair nomination funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada;
b. alignment of your profile and expertise with this Impact+ Research Chair position; and
c. definition that you hold for research excellence and impact.
2) A description of your program of research (suggested 3-5 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 priority in environment, climate resilience and the Arctic;
d. the novelty and significance of the proposed work;
e. prospective partners, including academic institutions, research organizations, private- or public-sector organizations, and not-for-profit groups, as relevant; and
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 curriculum vitae documenting publications, research grants, technology transfer and commercialization activities, community engagement, advocacy work, knowledge translation, and other modes of scholarship relevant to your research program. If preferred, candidates may submit a narrative curriculum vitae.
4) A statement of mentorship philosophy, teaching philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students (suggested 2-4 pages).
5) A statement of strengths and experiences in supporting decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion 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 your suitability to hold a faculty position and Impact+ Research Chair 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.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Stevey Hildebrand at smoffat@brocku.ca.
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 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.
Impact+ Chairs and accompanying family members (spouse and dependent children under 22) will be eligible for fast-track work permit approvals under the Global Skills Strategy, with a target of 2-week processing. Researchers recruited under this initiative will have access to existing economic immigration streams, with accelerated transitions to permanent residency for selected high-skilled workers.
The effective date for the academic appointment is expected in January 2027 but is negotiable with the Faculty Dean. Chairholders are expected to begin their appointment at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the award.
Inquiries should be directed to Dr. David Goldblum, Chair of the Search Committee 905-688-5550 ext. 3423, geog_tour_chair@brocku.ca.
Original Posting Date [January 15, 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