Canada Impact + Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems Justification

Position Title / Rank: Canada Impact + Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems Justification
Department: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Position Description:
 

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. It offers awards of two values: $1 Million/year or $500,000/ year. Award funds support not only the direct costs of research, but also associated indirect costs, and a portion of the funding may be allocated toward salary support in accordance with institutional and program guidelines.

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. A Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline is required by the University of Guelph.

Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems
The College of Engineering is recruiting  Canada Impact+ Research Chair(s)  in Electrified Autonomous Systems, at an award value of the $500,000/year. The term is for 8 years, with a possibility for a four-year funded extension, at 50% of the original award value.  The Chair will be housed in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  It aligns with the federal strategic priority areas of:

• Advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity);
• Clean technology and resource value chains;
• Manufacturing and advanced materials; and
• Defence and dual-use technologies.
  
  

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.

The Chair will establish and lead a world-class research program focused on electrified autonomous systems, with particular emphasis on the electrical engineering foundations of electrification, energy-constrained autonomous platforms (e.g., electric vehicles), and grid-connected intelligent infrastructure.

Core research themes include:

• Power electronic and energy architectures for electrified autonomous systems
• Reliability, resilience, and security of electrified autonomous systems
• Interaction of autonomous electric platforms with charging and grid-connected infrastructure
• Energy-aware autonomy integrating sensing, decision-making, and actuation

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 Electrical and Computer Engineering, 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 (EDI statement). The Department actively fosters a culture that is positive, collegial, and respectful of all members, and in which wellness and healthy work-life balance are valued along with (and indeed, contribute to) excellence in research and teaching. To support an inclusive and vibrant departmental culture, the Department maintains standing committees focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellness and has developed specific recommendations for faculty hiring that incorporate these important issues. 

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 Intitiatives 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

1. Cover letter that identifies alignment of research with the federal strategic priority
2. Curriculum vitae
3. 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)
4. 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)

Questions regarding the Impact+ program may be directed to the Manager, Strategic Programs, ailsakay@uoguelph.ca

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 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 Ahmed Refaey Hussein, ECE Department Interim Chair at ahmed@uoguelph.ca or +1-519-824-4120 x 52506.