Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neuro-musculoskeletal Aspects of Movement

Overview

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa is inviting applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neuro-musculoskeletal Aspects of Movement to build research capacity and support excellence across the fields of biomechanics and neuroscience, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. 

The successful candidate will have expertise in neuro-musculoskeletal modelling, biomechanics, virtual/augmented reality, robotics, wearable sensors, exoskeletons, and/or medical imaging. They will lead a research program that will explore neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, orthopaedics, prosthetics, and/or optimization of human mobility and performance and translate findings into clinical applications. As an internationally recognized emerging leader, the Chairholder is expected to play a leadership role within the School of Human Kinetics, and expand existing relationships with national and international stakeholders.  

Located on the unceded territory of Anishinaabe Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa and in close proximity to multiple national agencies such as Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Statistics Canada, the University of Ottawa is recognized as the first and largest bilingual university in North America. It offers its 47,000 students and 5,500 employees a dynamic and stimulating environment where research and knowledge are fundamental to all aspects of university life. 

The School of Human Kinetics offers a rich academic experience, providing students the knowledge and skills needed to promote improved human movement, better policies and positive lifestyles. The School of Human Kinetics is rooted in multiple, interconnected disciplines that view sport, physical activity, health and leisure from different knowledge perspectives. Beyond biomechanics and motor control, research areas of interest include socio-cultural and leisure, sport management and psychology and pedagogy. 

Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the institution receives $100,000 annually for five years, with an additional $20,000 annual research stipend for first-term Tier 2 Chairs.  

Candidates should, at a minimum, be assistant or associate professors, or possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels. Candidates who are more than 10 years from their highest degree must contact the University of Ottawa directly for questions related to their potential eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair. The institution may nominate a professor or a researcher who is more than 10 years from their highest degree at the time of nomination and has experienced legitimate career interruptions (see acceptable justifications). In such cases, the institution must submit to the Secretariat a formal justification (using the Tier 2 Justification Screening Form), explaining why the nominee is still considered to be an emerging scholar. 

The University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. New CRC nominees are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.   

Selective hiring

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. In accordance with the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, the selection will be limited to members of the four designated groups such as Indigenous peoples, individuals who are racialized, persons with disabilities, women and gender minorities as defined in the CRC Program method for establishing equity targets and the Employment Equity Act. Candidates from these groups who wish to be considered for this position must complete the confidential self-identification form during the application process online (go to My profile / Employment Equity section). 

The objective of this measure is to increase the representation of the four designated groups (women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and members of visible minorities as defined in the Employment Equity Act) in the allocation of Canada Research Chair positions. Internal candidates are not eligible. 

Skills requirements

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field;

Required Qualifications: superior research achievements in the CRC’s identified area(s) and proof of interdisciplinary collaborations, a solid record with respect to teaching and training of students at the graduate level, the ability to obtain external research funds. Excellent communication skills in either English or French. Active knowledge of the other Official Language in Canada is a requirement for tenure.  English-French bilingualism is an asset. 

Rank and salary

Regular tenure-track academic appointment in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Salary scale for an Assistant Professor starts at $89,622 (as of May 1, 2023). Salary scale for an Associate Professor starts at $98,999 (as of May 1, 2023).  Salaries are competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits package

The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package which includes long term disability, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, University of Ottawa Pension Plan and optional life insurance, as well as relocation expenses.

Location of work

Faculty of Health Sciences, 200 Lees Avenue, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

Application Package

  • A cover letter;
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (Please include any personal circumstances and/or career interruptions such as parental or sick leaves that may have impacted your research trajectory. These will be taken into consideration in the selection process);
  • A research plan (2 to 3 pages);
  • A statement of teaching interests (1 to 2 pages);  
  • A statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion philosophy and concrete practices (1 page);
  • The names of three people who may be contacted by the University for letters of reference which will follow the Canada Research Chairs guidelines (i.e. Tier 2: one arm’s length and two who are not affiliated to the University of Ottawa unless they are the candidate’s PhD or postdoctoral supervisor); and
  • Self-identification: Complete the confidential Employment Equity section online (go to My profile / Employment Equity section) during the application process online. The Canada Research Chairs Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, following the program’s best practices

Deadline: April 24, 2023

Applications should be submitted electronically through the University of Ottawa Academic Careers website at the following link.  

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Please address your cover letter to the following person:

Dr. Sylvain Charbonneau, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
University of Ottawa
550 Cumberland St., room 246
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA
For questions, please email: [email protected]  

According to government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.  

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 175-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language. 

 Ad posted on February 23, 2023