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Canada Excellence Research Chairs - Call for applicationsThe Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) invites applications for a CANADA EXCELLENCE RESEARCH CHAIRS (CERC) on the theme of Energy Transitions and related disciplines.
UQTR is recognized as a leader in energy-transition technologies. Over the past twenty years, it has built a strong reputation for developing and deploying technologies for renewable energy production and storage, and for advancing bio-based products. This expertise has recently grown to encompass smart manufacturing and energy-efficiency optimization.
The selected candidate will be expected to strengthen and advance research and innovation among and across our internationally renowned research centers, including the Hydrogen Research Institute (HRI ), the Institute for Innovations in Eco-Materials, Eco-Products and Eco-Energies from Biomass (I2E3 ), the Joint Research Unit between the National Institute of Scientific Research and UQTR on Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition (UMR INRS-UQTR ), and the National Integrated Center for Smart Manufacturing (CNIMI ).
The HRI’s research program encompasses both fundamental studies and the development of technologies related to renewable energies and hydrogen as an energy vector. Its mission is to accelerate the energy transition through innovation in advanced materials and engineering. HRI’s activities are structured around three main areas: Hydrogen (production, storage, delivery, infrastructure, fuel cells, electrolyzers); Smart grids and mobility; and Innovative materials (material synthesis and characterization).
I2E3 contributes to the advancement of the circular bioeconomy by using renewable biomass, environmental stewardship, and decarbonization. The institute develops materials and products such as composites, biochars, biofuels, and eco-friendly packaging. The institute’s research activities are organized around three core areas: Eco-Materials (derived from forest, agricultural, marine, and other types of biomass); Eco-Products (including cellulosic sugars, organic acids, nanocellulose, and more); and Eco-Energies (renewable fuels such as ethanol, gasoline, diesel, and hydrogen).
The Joint Research Unit INRS-UQTR brings together researchers developing innovative solutions in energy storage, green fuels, and industrial decarbonization. Their work is organized around three core areas of expertise: Battery materials and technologies; Production, conversion, and utilization of hydrogen or green fuels; and Decarbonization of industrial processes and integration of green materials.
CNIMI is a collaborative ecosystem, linking the university, college, and industrial sectors, offering a unique applied research environment in Canada supported by a cutting-edge technological platform. CNIMI supports, trains, and empowers manufacturers in the deployment of smart manufacturing and energy-efficiency optimization technologies. Its ecosystem brings together intersectoral expertise to enhance the productivity of the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
These units provide a highly dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment where graduate training, industry collaboration, and stakeholder engagement are central. The selected candidate must therefore demonstrate the ability to be a team leader with the ability to build strong stakeholder partnerships.
The candidate’s research program should align with UQTR’s Strategic Research Plan on Energy Transitions. Areas of interest include:
Renewable energy production or storage technologies Energy hubs Energy intelligence and optimization in the manufacturing sector (transition to Industry 5.0) CO2 capture and valorisation The Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program:
To ensure its prosperity, it is essential for Canada to attract and retain the most outstanding researchers, whether domestic or international. This is the objective of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program established by the federal government. Individuals recruited through this program are positioned to enhance Canada’s international competitiveness and contribute to the well-being of its population. Their work also provides Canadian institutions with a competitive edge in the global research landscape. These research efforts will lead to the development of new services and the formulation of policies that support Canada’s economic competitiveness, protect the environment, and improve quality of life for all. The objectives of the program remain to:
strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers, in order to be at the leading edge of breakthroughs in Science, Technology and Innovation priority areas expected to generate social and economic benefits for Canadians; help Canada build a critical mass of expertise in ST&I priority areas identified by the Government of Canada; create a competitive environment to help Canadian institutions, in their pursuit of excellence in research, attract world-leading researchers; and contribute to branding Canada as a destination of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development, alongside other federal programs with similar objectives. CERCs are awarded through a highly competitive and rigorous two-stage selection process involving multi-level peer review. Each chair is granted for a period of eight years and are non-renewable, accompanied by an annual funding of $500,000 or $1 million. Funding is received and administered by Canadian institutions.
Selection Process:
Each application will first be evaluated by an expert committee responsible for identifying candidates who satisfy the call for applications selection criteria of the University and of the CERC Program. Applications which proceed to the next step will be reviewed by a committee which ensures that the University’s guidelines and objectives related to equity, diversity, and inclusion have been considered. Because the creation of this position is subject to approval by the University, candidates must also go through a departmental hiring process. The successful candidate will be invited to submit a full application package to the Canada Excellence Research Chair Program in Marsh 2026 and will be offered a tenure-track professorship if the chair is awarded.
The University recognizes that various life circumstances—such as illness, disability, family or community responsibilities (e.g., maternity or parental leave, illness, caregiving for family members, disruptions related to chronic illness or disability, long-term effects of COVID-19, etc.)—may impact the research output of applicants. Such circumstances will be carefully considered during the evaluation process.
Useful links:
UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
In accordance with UQTR’s requirements, the selected candidate must hold a Ph.D. in a field closely aligned with the aforementioned research themes, and must either hold the rank of Full Professor or be eligible for tenure. Knowledge of French is not initially required, but it is considered an asset, as is teaching experience.
Required Documents:
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 20, 2025.
The application package must include:
A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications from the past five years, along with selected examples or copies of significant contributions in the targeted research field Details on any particular circumstances that may have caused a slowdown or interruption in research activities A brief description of the proposed research program related to the chair (maximum 5 pages) A one-page description of the infrastructure required to carry out the proposed research activities The names of three experts willing to provide letters of support for the application All required documents must be submitted as a single PDF file via the online self-identification form available at: http://www.uqtr.ca/CRC_Declaration_volontaire
