University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) - Targeted Posting

February 4, 2025 

 

The Office of the Vice Principal Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites nominations for one Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in research areas that align with the subject matter eligibility of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Candidates must be full-time, tenure-stream/continuing, Assistant or Associate Professors in any department at UTSC. 

 

In order to address the underrepresentation of groups who experience systemic barriers) in the CRC Program (as identified by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat), this special call is open only to individuals who self-identify as persons with disabilities and/or Indigenous peoples, as defined by the Employment Equity Act. This recruitment approach follows the provisions for special programs as described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The identification of outstanding candidates from the designated groups supports University commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and our public mission for the pursuit of excellence and equity, as well as the institutional capacity to fulfill the objectives of the University’s Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. 

 

Tier 2 CRC positions are for emerging scholars, and the successful nominee should be within ten years of receiving their PhD. To meet the criteria of the program, they must 1) be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; 2) have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; 3) as Chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; 4) propose an original, innovative research program of high quality. The candidate’s research area must align with the subject matter eligibility of SSHRC. 

 

Candidates who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. 

 

The University recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Nomination committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.

 

The nomination process may involve the selection and endorsement of a candidate by a Chair, Director, or colleague who submits a nomination package on behalf of the nominee. Alternatively, to enhance access, self-nominations are also welcomed, and candidates can submit their own nomination package.

 

The nomination package will include:

1. A concise (max three pages) cover letter describing the qualifications of the candidate and their research plans for the 5-year CRC position, with reference to the selection criteria for Tier 2 Chairs (focusing on criterion 1, quality of the nominee and the proposed research program). 

2. A list of 3 potential referees who meet eligibility requirements.

3. A self-identification form (see below) completed by the candidate. 

4. An academic curriculum vitae.

5. Candidates who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree can include an explanation (maximum one page) of why they feel they qualify for a justification as noted above.

 

All materials should be submitted by March 7, 2025, to Dr. Sean Lockwood, Director, OVPRI (sean.lockwood@utoronto.ca).

 

Questions about this opportunity may be directed to sean.lockwood@utoronto.ca.  

 

For further information on the federally endowed Canada Research Chairs Program, including eligibility criteria, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website. For more information about the CRC nomination process at the University of Toronto, contact Judith Chadwick, Assistant Vice-President, Research Services, at crc@utoronto.ca. 

 

The University of Toronto recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Members of the CRC Selection Committee have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.

 

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community.  We welcome applications welcome applications from members who self-identify as Indigenous and Persons with Disabilities who also self-identify as Women & Gender Minorities and racialized minorities, as  well as those with diverse sexual orientations of the four designated groups and gender minorities who also identify with diverse sexual orientations.  

 

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible, and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. Requests for workplace accommodations and related issues can be addressed to the Office of Health & Wellbeing Programs and Services.

 

The Canada Research Chairs Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data, following the program’s best practices. Therefore, all candidates are required to complete this self-identification form. The data collected via this form will be held confidentially, separate from all other employment or personal data, and will be accessed only by the University’s Research Equity and Diversity Strategist. This information will be reported only in aggregate to the selection committee Chair and Equity Officer, as well as a small number of designated individuals in the Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. No individual information will be shared with the committee members or others. Data collected via this form will be used solely for the purposes of this competition and may not be accessed or used for any other purpose.