Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Vegetable Genetics & Production Technologies
Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1
Position Title / Rank: Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Vegetable Genetics & Production Technologies
Department: Plant Agriculture
Position Description:
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting 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 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+ chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.
The Impact+ program provides opportunities for internationally renowned scholars and scientists in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the intake’s application deadline are eligible to apply.
Nominees must be full professors or associate professors or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels.
Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Vegetable Genetics and Production Technologies
The Ontario Agricultural College is recruiting a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Vegetable Genetics and Production Technologies, at an award value of the $500k/year; of this, a minimum of $320k/year will be available to fund the direct costs of the research activities of the chairholder and their team. The term is for 8 years, with a possibility for a four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value.
The Chair in Vegetable Genetics and Production Technologies is aligned with the federal strategic priority area of food and water security. As the world faces increasingly complex agricultural challenges including climate change, rising water scarcity, and the emergence of new pathogens and pests, the need for sustainable and resilient agricultural practices has never been more urgent. Vegetable production plays a critical role in ensuring food security by providing nutrient dense food for a growing population. Canada is a major vegetable producer, with over $6 billion in farm gate value, yet relies heavily on food imports to meet domestic consumption. Field and greenhouse vegetable production is essential not only for the nation’s food systems and food sovereignty, but also for its economy, supporting rural communities and contributing to domestic and global food markets.
In the context of climate change, vegetable crops are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the emergence of new diseases and insect pests presents an ongoing threat to crop yields. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions in crop management, breeding, and technology, ensuring that vegetable production systems remain both productive and sustainable. Water scarcity further exacerbates these issues, as efficient water management becomes a cornerstone for future agricultural success.
Through the Impact+ recruitment program at the University of Guelph, we seek a dynamic researcher and educator who will contribute to advancing vegetable production to support national and global food security. The chairholder will hold a PhD and be an established leader in any area of science directly relevant to this goal, such as (but not limited to):
- Leading-edge plant breeding methods, including genome editing and quantitative genetics technologies
- Emerging technologies in field or greenhouse crop production systems (e.g. robotics, artificial intelligence)
- High-impact advancements in plant protection (e.g. plant pathology, insect management)
- Plant physiology with a focus on climate-resilient crop production systems
The successful applicant will have an established record of research excellence, recognized internationally, and with proven ability to translate research findings into impactful solutions that address recognized challenges in crop production.
The program’s evaluation criteria are:
- Research/academic merit and leadership skills of the nominee
- Quality of the institutional support
- Quality of the research program
- Potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international research ecosystem
- Potential for knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results
The Government of Canada values knowledge mobilization, translation and commercialization as critical pathways to ensuring research delivers tangible benefits at both national and global levels. Impact+ Chairs are expected to move beyond discovery to generate social, economic and policy impacts, working in close collaboration with partners across various sectors.
Successful nominees will have the primary responsibility for directing the research program and all related activities, leading a team of personnel, and coordinating governance and administration with the host institution.
Join Us in Shaping our Community
The University of Guelph recognizes that an inclusive campus and a culture of inclusion is an institutional and social imperative. Acknowledging the University’s diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of a successful post-secondary institution. The University of Guelph is committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative environment. In the Department of Plant Agriculture, we value diversity and inclusivity because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, complex problem solving, and the creation of a modern, representative academic community
The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.
The Impact+ program reflects the Canadian federal government’s commitment to equity and diversity in employment. It aims to ensure the appropriate representation of women and gender minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, and racialized people.
Application Process
The Impact+ nomination process consists of two stages. First, candidates apply to an open job posting at the University of Guelph. The U of G will then support the successful candidate in development of an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to an Impact+ Chair position is contingent upon receiving an Impact+ Chair award. Awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award.
RECOMMENDED COMPONENTS OF APPLICATION
- Cover letter that identifies alignment of research with the federal strategic priority
- Curriculum vitae
- Brief description of the proposed research program, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team and how your research will contribute to knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results. (maximum four pages)
- Career highlights describing most significant contributions to the applicant’s field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan. (Maximum two pages)
- The names and email addresses of three references, two of which are arm’s length (not in conflict of interest)
The University encourages applications from individuals from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The University of Guelph recognizes life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID-19 impacts) are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominee’s record of research achievement, and that these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Dr. Hugh Earl at hjearl@uoguelph.ca, or 519 824-4120 x56083.
Date Posted: 12/23/2025
Deadline: 01/22/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.
This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).
The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”
The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.