Canada Impact + Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy

Position Title / Rank: Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy 
Department: Chemistry 

College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences

Position Description: 

The University of Guelph invites applications for nomination to the prestigious Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy. This opportunity will enable a world-class researcher to establish and lead an ambitious research program in an area of chemical science relevant to the Canadian nuclear power industry, positioning Canada at the forefront of clean energy innovation. The University of Guelph is a full member of the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) and the Department of Chemistry holds a UNENE Research Chair in High Temperature Aqueous Chemistry. Preference will be given to candidates whose research area complements that of the existing UNENE Chair. 

About the Canada Impact+ Research 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. A Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to conducting research and teaching in Physical or Analytical Chemistry is required by the University of Guelph. 

Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy

The College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences is recruiting a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy, at an award value of $500,000 / year. The term is for 8 years, with the possibility for a four-year extension, at 50% of the original award value.

The Impact+ Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy is aligned with the Impact+ strategic priority areas of clean technology and resource value chains.

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.

Targetted Research in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Canada Impact+ Research Chair and will build an independent, world-class research program, complementary to the ongoing UNENE-funded research at the University of Guelph, with an emphasis on physical chemistry research targeting reactor coolant fluids relevant to the current Canadian reactor fleet and/or Small Modular Reactors.

Expertise in the following areas may be an asset:

• Quantitative studies of hydrothermal fluids or molten salts.
• Thermochemical database development in areas relevant to current and future generations of nuclear reactors.
• Thermochemical modelling of fluids under extreme conditions.
• Electrochemistry, corrosion, or radiation chemistry.
• Computational chemistry relevant to reactor coolants and/or nuclear waste management.

Strategic Alignment with the University of Guelph

The University of Guelph is a full member of the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE), and the Department of Chemistry holds a UNENE Research Chair in High Temperature Aqueous Chemistry, supporting chemical research related to Canada's nuclear industry. Our Strategic Plan emphasizes creating solutions for a sustainable future and fostering collaborations with industry and government that address society's most pressing challenges. A Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy directly strengthens this vision by broadening and reinforcing the University of Guelph's expertise in clean energy and the underlying science in support of the nuclear industry, ensuring that technological innovation is aligned with industry needs, ecological responsibility, and societal benefit.

Candidate Profile

We seek an exceptional scholar with an international reputation for research excellence, innovation, and leadership. The successful nominee will:

• Hold a PhD in Physical or Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline. A PhD degree is a requirement for faculty members at the University of Guelph. Suitably qualified candidates in chemical physics, experimental geochemistry, and chemical engineering will be considered. Industrial or national laboratory experience an is asset.
• Any citizenship will be considerd, but Impact+ candidates must be working and living outside Canada at the time of application.
• Be qualified for appointment at the level of Associate Professor or full Professor; note that candidates who do not currently hold a tenured position at an academic institution (e.g., applicants coming from industrial or national laboratory positions) will be appointed at a tenure-track Associate Professor level and are expected to apply for tenure in accordance with the collective agreement.
• Demonstrate a record of outstanding and sustained research contributions, including high-impact publications, patents, licenses, data sets, technologies, and/or technical reports, as well as impactful mentorship and external research funding.
• Show a proven ability to lead large teams and foster collaborations with academia, industry, and government.
• Demonstrate qualification to teach Analytical or Physical Chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in research, mentorship, and recruitment.
• For candidates pursuing research with or about indigenous communities, demonstrate alignment with principles of indigenous self-determination, co-creation, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

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 Chemistry, 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 the 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.

Assessment of applications will begin on January 22, 2026.

Candidate interviews will be hosted during the week of February 2nd - 6th, 2026.

Interested external applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID#2056) by submitting the following materials (in one merged PDF file uploaded to cv):

1. A cover letter describing their vision for a research program in Fluid Phase Chemistry for Nuclear Energy and how it aligns with the goals of the Canada Impact+ Research Chair program.
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 your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan (maximum two pages).
5. Statement of teaching and mentorship philosophy (maximum one page).
6. The names and email addresses of three references, at least two of which are at arm's length (not in conflict of interest).

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

The University of Guelph recognizes that 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 Ms. Jackèe Colquhoun at chemadmin@uoguelph.ca or +1-519-824-4120 x53905.

Deadline for application: January 22, 2026

Applications and inquiries should be directed to:

Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph

Email: chemchr@uoguelph.ca

Why Join the University of Guelph?

At the University of Guelph, you will join a vibrant, research-intensive institution with a strong reputation for innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. Located in Ontario’s innovation corridor, the University of Guelph offers unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners in Canada and globally.

📌 This position is contingent upon a successful institutional nomination and subsequent approval by the Canada Impact+ Research Chair 2026 competition.

Date Posted: 12/22/2025
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.