Canada Impact+ Research Chair in
Marine Bioresources Optimization 
Department of Ocean Sciences 
Faculty of Science

Posting Date: April 27, 2026 

Closing Date: May 26, 2026
 

Expected Start Date of Appointment: September 2026
 

The Department of Ocean Sciences at Memorial University invites applications from international candidates (i.e., both working and residing outside of Canada at the time of the application deadline, with no restriction on nationality) for the Canada Impact+ Research Chair (CIRC) competition targeting Marine Bioresources Optimization. The position will be tenured, with the CIRC appointment initially spanning a period of eight years, in values of either $8 million ($1 million per year) or $4 million ($500,000 per year), with the possibility of a 4-year extension at 50% of the original award value, determined by an external review in Year 7 of the award. The awardee may also request an additional $100,000 per year over six years to recruit an Early Career Researcher (ECR) and to apply for research infrastructure funding. 

The CIRC program is a one-time-only initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, designed to recruit top-tier international researchers, with no restriction on nationality, who have expertise in key areas addressing critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. The eight CIRC-identified strategic priority areas include: Advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum and cybersecurity); Health, including biotechnology; Clean technology and resource value chains; Environment, climate resilience and the Arctic; Food and water security; Democratic and community resilience; Manufacturing and advanced materials; and Defense and dual-use technologies.

The Department of Ocean Sciences, housed at the Ocean Sciences Centre with its wealth of marine research facilities, is a global leader in cold-ocean and deep-sea research, education, and engagement. The Chair in Marine Bioresources Optimization is expected to conduct transdisciplinary research bridging the Department’s core research foci. Examples include, but are not limited to: improving genetics and nutrition of marine aquaculture species; developing better health management strategies under climate change; diversifying finfish and shellfish commercial production and enhancing wild stocks which Indigenous and northern communities can use for consumption or to improve their own enterprises and economies; improving the nutritional value of marine species to increase and diversify market demand and strategies; and optimizing commercial fisheries in a changing ocean, in collaboration with local stakeholders and Indigenous communities (e.g. assessing resilience of marine species to climate change and environmental stressors, drawing from Indigenous Knowledge).

The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor, eligible to apply for promotion to Full Professor within 2 years of the Chair’s start date. The salary for the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) Collective Agreement.

Memorial also has an all-Indigenous Committee on Engaging Research Involving Indigenous Groups to ensure that research, including classroom research, meets high ethical and responsible standards. The focus is on research with, by, and for Indigenous Peoples that emphasizes engagement grounded in understanding and respect. More information can be found here.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be an established, internationally recognized research leader whose scholarship has made a significant impact in the field. They will have primary responsibility for directing the research program and all related activities, and will be expected to develop and implement a plan for an inclusive research environment that fosters equity, accessibility and diverse participation at all levels.

The successful candidate will have:

• a PhD* in Ocean Sciences, Marine Biology or a closely related discipline (*Note: This is a requirement of Memorial University, not the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program);
• a demonstrated record of world-class research excellence in cold-water aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, habitat protection, marine biotechnology, and/or conservation of species and ecosystems.
• evidence of sustained high-impact contributions, publications in leading journals, and success in securing external research funding;
• a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and anti-racism (EDI-AR) in research, teaching, and mentorship;
• experience mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees, and research personnel;
• a record of service to the academic and professional communities through leadership and engagement.

How to Apply

Memorial University’s Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition involves a two-stage process as outlined below.

Stage 1: Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file, with the subject heading: CIRC Marine Bioresources Optimization, and quoting the reference number: F03295. The application should include the following information, and be provided in the order listed below:

1. A cover letter, including a vision, leadership experience and fit with the CIRC in Marine Bioresources Optimization (2 pages max);
2. Current Curriculum vitae with a clear summary of major research, teaching, leadership and knowledge mobilization achievements;
3. Research plan for the duration of the 8-year CIRC, outlining objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and impacts (3 pages max);
4. Copies of three relevant scientific publications;
5. A statement on how the applicant’s research program fosters and implements best practices in equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism (For guidance see NSERC guide on integrating EDI), and;
6. Names and contact information of at least three referees.

Application packages should be submitted through this PORTAL as soon as possible but no later than May 26, 2026. Candidates with inquiries about this position, the Department of Ocean Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and / or the broader Memorial community, are encouraged to contact the Ocean Sciences Department Head, pgagnon@mun.ca.

Stage 2: The successful candidate will be registered with the CIRC program as Memorial’s nominee and will complete the application with support from the Faculty of Science, and Memorial’s Research Initiatives & Services (RIS). The completed nomination package will be submitted electronically for the CIRC’s application deadline. Please note that a nominee only becomes a Chairholder once the submitted application has been successfully awarded by the CIRC Program.

Memorial acknowledges that career paths can be diverse and that life circumstances, such as illness, disability, and family and community responsibilities, are often an expected part of life and are likely to affect a nominee’s record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to explain in their cover letter any life circumstances that may have resulted in career interruptions, if applicable. These impacts will be carefully considered during the assessment process.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including: women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; Indigenous peoples; racialized persons; and persons with disabilities. All applicants are invited to identify themselves as a member of an equity-deserving group(s) as appropriate. To be considered an equity-deserving group member, applicants must complete the employment equity survey, and provide permission to share their survey responses with the search committee. Once applicants submit their application, they will receive the survey via email, and will have 7 days to complete it.

Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment. Applicants who require an accessibility arrangement to ensure their full participation in the application process can contact Mandy Penney (equity@mun.ca) to make appropriate accommodations. 

Memorial University

As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial University plays an integral role in the province's education and cultural life, offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 17,000 students from over 120 countries. Memorial’s St. John’s campus provides a distinctive and stimulating environment for learning in the capital city. Home to many natural wonders, including puffin colonies, whales, and icebergs, St. John’s is steps from the Atlantic Ocean, with a vibrant arts and culture scene, mild temperatures, and access to a wide range of year-round outdoor activities.

Building on Newfoundland and Labrador’s strong cultural, social, and economic connections to the ocean, the Department of Ocean Sciences aims for world-class cold-ocean and deep-sea research and education through the principles of inclusion, diversity, sustainability, and transdisciplinary scientific innovations. The Chair would join a diversified team of world experts in ocean research, which through partnerships with communities, governments, and industry, apply their expertise in ecology, physiology, biogeochemistry, and omics towards the development of sustainable ocean use, particularly aquaculture and fisheries, as well as effective responses to challenges such as climate change, pathogens, and pollution. The Department is located 10 km from the University’s main campus in St. John’s, where the Chair would have access to exceptional aquatic facilities for holding a variety of marine organisms for extended periods at controlled water temperatures including Level-3 aquatic bio-containment laboratories, as well as excellent analytical instrumentation for supporting a variety of research endeavours. There is also an expert Field Service Unit to collect and maintain live organisms.

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.