Canada Impact+ Research Chair

Professor

Date posted: February 10, 2026
Date closing: March 10, 2026

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) in Aerospace Engineering

UVic acknowledges and respects the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. Listen to our full Territorial Acknowledgement here.

The Opportunity

The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Victoria (UVic) seeks to recruit a world-class researcher for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair (Impact+) in Aerospace Engineering. The successful Impact+ candidate will contribute world-leading expertise to UVic’s growing role as a global leader in the design, development and testing of next-generation air and space systems.

The Chairholder will join and help shape a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and highly collaborative research environment at UVic that advances high-performance and sustainable aerospace platforms and systems. Multidisciplinary and integrated fields of research in aerodynamics, structures, avionics, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control are enabling lightweight and energy-efficient platforms that have the potential to transform the future of aviation and space industries. Through this Impact+ Chair, we seek to accelerate and dramatically expand the use of artificial intelligence and real-time decision-making frameworks towards increasingly complex operations.

At UVic, we view dual-use air and space systems as being critical to next generation transportation, remote sensing and earth observation applications such as data-driven climate solutions, coastal and Northern domain awareness, defense and resource stewardship and management. Advancing Canada’s strategic priorities in these areas depends on an ability to collect, interpret, and act on data sampled across vast spatial and temporal scales from above.

The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science is committed to advancing these national priorities. To further deepen our capacity for transformational innovation, we seek a researcher with demonstrated excellence in aerospace engineering, whose work emphasises multidisciplinary systems integration, and who is fully committed to working with local, national and international networks to translate their discoveries into real world applications at the intersection of economic growth, environmental and social responsibility, and national and global connectivity.

The Chairholder will be expected to collaborate broadly, initiate and sustain interdisciplinary initiatives, contribute to design and delivery of course and experiential learning activities within undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and mentor highly qualified personnel who will lead Canada’s future aerospace sector.

The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive range of $240,000 - $275,000. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

Process

The Impact+ nomination process involves two stages: interested applicants must first apply to this job posting; and the successful applicants will then be nominated by UVic for an Impact+ Chair. Upon approval by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), they will then be offered an appointment at the rank of Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with possibility for cross appointment with additional academic units to facilitate interdisciplinary graduate student supervision.

The University will actively support the candidates throughout the nomination process. Results are expected by September 2026, with successful individuals expected to commence their role within the following 12-month period.

Requirements

Eligibility

Applicants must be top-tier researchers whose accomplishments have made significant breakthroughs in their field with major societal impact, and who are acknowledged as world leaders in their fields.

The applicant will be proposing an original, innovative research program of the highest quality that will advance the frontiers of research in the field on a global scale and impact Canadians and others around the world. The applicant will offer evidence of high-quality teaching, supervision, and mentorship of diverse teams and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment.

The Chairholder will be expected to bring an independent, transdisciplinary and internationally recognized research program, with a record of obtaining substantive research funding, and producing high-impact research outputs, such as publications in top-tier peer-reviewed research in their fields. We welcome colleagues with experiences and competencies that can contribute to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and Indigenization throughout campus life.

Applicants must be full professors or equivalent who can be hired at UVic at the full professor level. Current UVic faculty members are not eligible to apply. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the application deadline are eligible to apply. The successful candidate must:

• hold a Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline relevant to aerospace systems.
• Have a clear pathway to licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and a commitment to executing that process (details available at egbc.ca);
• contribute to the continuing expansion, improvement and delivery of undergraduate and/or graduate level curricula related to aerospace technologies and systems in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UVic.

Additional information

What is the Impact+ Program?

The Impact+ program is a one-time initiative designed by the Canadian government to invest in world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding (up to $1m per year for 8 years, with the possibility of 4 year extension) and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders.

Impact+ Chairs are expected to establish significant new partnerships and collaborations with both Canadian and international entities (industry, health systems, government and not-for-profit organizations), and, where appropriate, Indigenous Peoples and communities. A core expectation is that Impact + Chairs, and their research teams, will actively translate and mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

The Impact+ program is a tri-agency initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). It is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), which is housed within SSHRC. For more information on the program please see the Impact+ program website.

For more information on the Impact+ program generally and on eligibility specifically, please consult the Impact+ Chairs website.

Who We Are

UVic is ranked the #1 university in Canada and #5 globally for climate action (THE Impact Rankings 2025), and has been awarded Platinum rating in Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) as an institution. UVic researchers engage in meaningful work which impacts everyday life, with UVic ranked #4 among all Canadian universities in citation impact per faculty member (QS rankings 2026). Alongside globally recognized research, UVic researchers are committed to making their findings accessible and affordable, contributing to UVic’s status as #2 in Canada Open Access publications (Leiden Open Edition 2025). The Impact+ Chairholder will be integrated into an institution with dynamic global research partnerships, adding to UVic’s #1 ranking in Canada for international research collaborations (Leiden University rankings 2025).

The successful Impact+ Chair will benefit from and build on existing infrastructure, equipment, human resources and an international collaborative network at the Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR). CfAR supports a distinctive experiential teaching and learning philosophy with state-of-the-art experimental facilities in advanced design and manufacturing, hybrid-electric propulsion and flight sciences that enable hands-on, end-to-end research from concept to flight testing.  Researchers at CfAR are trained to enter R&D intensive industries and academia, and to understand the relevance of their training to a wide spectrum of other cross-ranging disciplines. These HQP also benefit from collaboration with multinational companies (Bombardier, Boeing, Embraer, Airbus), research centers (NRC, NLR, DLR) and universities in Canada, USA, Europe, Asia and South America. 

UVic is investing significantly in aerospace research and development. This Impact+ Chair is in addition to two new strategic Faculty hires in aerospace engineering. A new professional Master’s degree program in aerospace engineering is also launching in September 2026. This program will offer a new pathway to inject HQP into the sector. With a target cohort size of 30 students and new instructional and flight operations staff, the program will complement existing research strength by further expanding UVic’s aerospace R&D portfolio, industry engagement, and experiential learning opportunities.

To safeguard research in academia, the Government of Canada has implemented the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) and the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP). These Research Security policies apply to the Canada Impact+ Research Chair program. UVic recommends applicants to review these policies to ensure alignment with Research Security considerations of research funding programs. Vetting of shortlisted candidates will be integrated into the adjudication process for this competition. When awarded the Impact+ position, the successful applicant must not have any active affiliation with any entity on Canada’s List of Named Research Organizations (NRO) of concern and must maintain this status throughout their tenure as Chair.

Contact information

How to apply

To be considered, applications should be sent to Dr. Brad Buckham at mech.asst.chair@uvic.ca with the subject line “UVic Impact+ Chair: Aerospace Engineering”.

Please combine the following documents into a single pdf file:

• A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) describing briefly how the applicant meets the eligibility criteria listed above, including a description of current and future research interests and accomplishments related to the themes and sub-themes described above, and how UVic will provide an ideal research environment.
• A full CV, including details of research and teaching, scholarly output (for example, high impact publications, as well as any non-traditional research outputs such as policy or community reports, datasets, software, creative arts, patents), grants, collaborations/partnerships, impact measures (such as influence on policy and practice, community engagement, commercialization), personal honours/awards, and leadership experience.
• A one-page (maximum) statement that describes the applicant’s experience with attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment, as well as a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse core team and an inclusive research environment.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three references.

Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

This position is contingent upon the applicant receiving an Impact+ Chair. The position is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS).

Application deadline

Equity statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups. Read our full equity statement.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact Heidi Morrison within Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.