Job Title: Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) – Various Positions
Employer: Queen’s University
Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Closing Date: July 29, 2025
Start Date: Subject to CERC program timelines
About the Opportunity
Queen’s University invites applications from internationally recognized scholars for nomination to the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition, one of the most prestigious and well-funded academic research programs in the world. Ranked among the top 200 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Queen’s offers a vibrant, research-intensive environment with exceptional institutional support.
The CERC program awards selected researchers either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to lead innovative research programs in areas aligned with Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) priorities. These chairs provide unparalleled opportunities to conduct high-impact research that advances global knowledge and addresses major societal challenges.
Successful nominees will expand on Queen’s existing research strengths and collaborate across disciplines to develop world-leading research agendas. Queen’s University will work closely with selected candidates to co-develop and submit a competitive application to the national CERC program.
Strategic Research Areas
Queen’s will nominate up to two candidates in the following fields:
Artificial Intelligence and Exascale Computing
Topics include Agentic AI, Generative AI, Reinforcement Learning, Robotics, and Human-Machine Interaction.
Precision Materials Chemistry
Focus on advanced materials, nanomedicine, energy storage, and corrosion protection.
Astroparticle Physics
Areas include dark matter, neutrino properties, and multi-messenger astronomy, in collaboration with SNOLAB and the McDonald Institute.
Application Process
This is a two-phase competition. Applicants first apply for consideration by Queen’s University. Selected candidates will then co-develop a proposal with Queen’s for submission to the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs program.
Review of applications will begin in June 2025 and continue until the nomination process is complete.
CERC postings remain open for a minimum of 30 days.
For full program details and to apply, please visit the Queen’s University website.
About Queen’s University
Located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s is one of Canada’s leading research universities with a legacy of academic excellence and innovation. The university is home to over 25,000 students and a dynamic research community supported by 48 Canada Research Chairs and more than 20 research centres and institutes.
Queen’s ranked 8th worldwide and 2nd in North America in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which evaluated more than 2,100 institutions on contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Queen’s University is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive research environment. We welcome applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized, as well as women, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Queen’s recognizes that diversity enriches research by fostering innovation, broadening perspectives, and enhancing collaborative opportunities. We strive to remove barriers to inclusion and to support equitable participation in our research community.
For more information about this opportunity or to apply, please visit: