Application Deadline:  December 1, 2026

Posting Date: October 6, 2026

Faculty of Engineering

Reference #: ENG-2026-27-08

NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC)

Nature Inspired Biomimetics and Engineering

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Nature Inspired Biomimetics and Engineering at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering. The academic rank will be commensurate with the qualifications of the successful candidate.  The position will commence within four to six months following the CRC notice of approval.  The CRC position is for five (5) years and is renewable once and subject to approval by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs (TIPs) Secretariat. 

The Faculty of Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University provides undergraduate and graduate degrees for six branches of engineering and offers professional engineering education in fields of Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, and Software engineering. With strong ties with local industries, many state-of-the-art research laboratories and MSc and PhD programs, the faculty is an attractive host for graduate studies in nature inspired engineering topics.   

Lakehead University also has several centralized labs to support research, including the Lakehead University Instrumentation Lab. Lakehead University is also a member of the SHARCNET Computing Consortium. For further information about the Faculty of Engineering, please contact Dr. David Barnett, Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering.  Detailed information on the Departments in Engineering is available through the Faculty of Engineering website.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is one who can contribute to the development of nature inspired engineering and/or systems. Researchers with interests in sustainable engineering processes and systems are particularly encouraged to apply.

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for outstanding and innovative emerging researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields and are recognized as leaders in their fields. The Chair will increase the research capacity and training opportunities in nature derived processes and systems at Lakehead University. The Chair will also add to the continuing development of research excellence within the Faculty of Engineering within the University.

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate a strong record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, advisory committees), and a demonstrated record of working with and mentoring students, trainees, and research personnel. The candidates are expected to have outstanding track-record in the field of nature inspired materials and/or systems.  Evidence of excellence in teaching will be assessed through teaching accomplishments, and a teaching dossier that can be submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below).  Experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of delivery is highly desired.

Nominees to the CRC Program will develop and implement a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse team and an inclusive research and training environment that promotes co-creation with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, not-for-profit and philanthropic), in order to increase research knowledge mobilization and translation for the benefit of all Canadians.

In addition, Lakehead University requires that applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Engineering, or a related area. The position requires eligibility for professional engineering licensure in Ontario (PEO), or an equivalent provincial body in Canada; candidates not currently licensed will be expected to achieve licensure within three years of appointment. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing research strengths.

Compensation

The expected annual compensation range for this position is:

-  Assistant Professor: $88,094 – $133,223

-  Associate Professor: $141,099 – $191,099

Salary will be determined in accordance with collective agreement and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Tier 2 CRCs at Lakehead will receive an additional $5,000 CRC stipend in their first term.

CRC Eligibility

Tier 2 CRCs are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. Candidates for Tier 2 Chair positions must meet all the requirements for Tier 2 CRCs and be eligible for assistant or associate professor positions. Tier 2 CRCs normally are not more than 10 years from commencing their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of submitting the nomination to the CRC Secretariat.  The CRC Nomination will be submitted by April 1, 2027.

However, Lakehead University may nominate a professor or a researcher who is more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment if the candidate has experienced career interruptions based on the categories outlined here. Lakehead University will seek CRC eligibility approval for shortlisted candidates only.

Successful candidates will:

            *  be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated research creativity;

            *  have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;

*  as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students, and future researchers; and

*  be proposing an original, innovative research program in molecular imaging that is of the highest quality.

For the duration of the CRC, a reduced teaching load will allow the Chair to dedicate the majority of their time to research; they will be provided with a start-up grant, CFI-JELF Infrastructure Grant, an annual research grant, and research space appropriate for the proposed CRC’s program of research.

Application Requirements and Deadline

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) quoting Reference # ENG-2026-27-08 should include:

A complete application as one electronic pdf file consists of:

1.         Cover letter (up to 2 pages) and letter of interest with a statement confirming eligibility for a Tier 2 CRC (not more than 10 years from commencing their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of submitting the nomination to the CRC anticipated to be in March 2027.

2.         Detailed curriculum vitae (any format) with link to an up-to-date ORCID profile;

3.         Significant Contributions and Impact (1 page) with three publications included;

4.         Statement of Research Interests and description of Proposed CRC Research Five-Year Research Program (approximately 5 pages);

5.         Statement of Teaching Philosophy (up to 3 pages);

6.         Statement describing the candidate's contributions, or potential contributions to, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) along with their ability to work with a culturally diverse and international student, staff, and faculty body (up to 1 page); and

7.         Name and contact information of three references, at least one of whom must be at arm’s length.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Once your application is submitted, you will be asked to complete a mandatory brief self-identification survey that is a CRC requirement. The questions in the survey are voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning and program reporting. Applicants should submit their complete electronic application quoting reference number Reference # ENG-2026-27-08 to:

Dr. David Barnett, Interim Dean

Faculty of Engineering

Lakehead University 955 Oliver Road

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1

Email to: admin.engineering@lakeheadu.ca

Please note that only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Please note that this job posting is for an existing CRC vacancy.  Lakehead University does not use artificial intelligence (AI) software to screen, assess, or select candidates for this position.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Office of Research Services in completing a CRC Tier 2 and CFI nomination package expected to be completed within four months of acceptance of the CRC conditional appointment.

If you have questions about the CRC program at Lakehead University, please contact Anne Klymenko, Director, Research Services by email: aklymenk@lakeheadu.ca or by telephone at 807-343-8010 Ext. 8223.

World-Class Research, Global Impact

For 60 years, students and world-class researchers have chosen Lakehead University to drive transformative discovery, address society’s most complex challenges, and shape what’s next. Consistently celebrated for its extraordinary research intensity, Lakehead is ranked the #2 undergraduate research university in Canada by Research Infosource—holding the top spot nationally for not-for-profit research income and leading the country in cross-sector Artificial Intelligence research collaborations. Internationally recognized as a powerhouse for global impact, Lakehead ranks 90th worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while standing as the #1 university in Canada and North America with under 10,000 students for global impact. Fully aligned with our Strategic Plan, Research Plan, CRC EDI Action Plan, and Institutional EDI Action Plan, we actively invite outstanding scholars to join our vibrant research ecosystem. Nestled in the diverse and culturally rich communities of Thunder Bay, Orillia, and Barrie, our unique campus environments inspire innovative thinking, dynamic community-partnered innovation, and opportunities to drive meaningful, real-world research impact.

Lakehead University and our Community

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Please note that the CRC Program imposes no restrictions on nominees concerning nationality or country of residence.

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

Lakehead University recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leave due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, or slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration in the assessment of the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted their research in their application. Lakehead also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, community-based research, other forms of scholarly expression, and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.

Lakehead University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leaves, slowdowns due to illness or disability, etc.) can have on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the review and assessment of application materials.

Please visit our Office of Human Rights and Equity website and our Human Resources website with regards to accommodations and to explore all of the supports our organization provides to enable a strong and connected employment experience.

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact Katherine Mends at the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

Additional Information

The Canada Research Chairs Program supports outstanding researchers in areas that will further Lakehead's Strategic Research Plan. All Chair nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information and further details on eligibility criteria. The Lakehead University CRC EDI Action Plan is available here and information regarding our EDI policies can be found here.