Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in Experimental Biophotonics

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) invites applications for a tenure-track Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader position in Experimental Biophotonics, aligned with the Government of Canada strategic priority area of health, including biotechnology. This position is associated with the Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Ultrafast Chirality for Health, Environment, and Quantum Technologies in the Faculty of Science, as part of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada Program (formerly Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program).

We seek an early-career researcher (ECR) with expertise in optical, photonic, or quantum-enabled approaches to investigate biological systems and advance human health. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced microscopy, molecular imaging, optical sensing, nonlinear optics, ultrafast spectroscopy, fiber and integrated photonics, quantum optics, quantum photonics, and related experimental approaches for probing molecular dynamics, chirality and spin-dependent phenomena. Applications may span neuroscience, molecular medicine, including metabolomics and biomarker discovery, precision health, and related areas of biology and medicine and beyond. Applicants working in adjacent fields are also encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will develop a vibrant and innovative research program that complements the Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Ultrafast Chirality for Health, Environment, and Quantum Technologies. The Emerging Leader's program will create a translational interface linking fundamental advances in photonics, quantum science, and ultrafast optical technologies to applications in health, biological discovery, and related societal challenges. ECRs developing new and emerging technologies for probing molecular dynamics, chirality, and spin-dependent phenomena are particularly encouraged to apply.

Positioned within the Faculty of Science Department of Physics, the ECR will benefit from a strong critical mass of researchers and state-of-the-art infrastructure in photonics and biological physics, spanning fields such as biomaterials, micro/nanofluidics, biosensing, soft matter, molecular biophysics, quantum optics and photonics and nonlinear microscopy. Additional infrastructure and equipment investments are planned through the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund associated with the Chair and will be available to support the Emerging Leader's research program and laboratory.

Outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration exist within the uOttawa Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as nearby National Research Council laboratories. Key collaborative partners include the Nexus for Quantum Technologies (NexQT), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), the Centre for Neural Dynamics, the Brain and Mind Research Institute (uBMRI), and the Max-Planck-uOttawa Centre for Extreme and Quantum Photonics.

The Department has a rich history of supporting entrepreneurship and translational science. Individuals interested in taking their technologies out of the lab and into the market, as well as those looking to partner with industry, will find a highly welcoming environment. The Faculty of Science and uOttawa provides institutional support and dedicated resources to assist researchers in their commercialization and partnership endeavors.

uOttawa is ranked fifth for research intensity in 2025 and is renowned for pioneering discoveries across multiple disciplines. Several of our research centers and institutes rank among the top 100 globally, including the top six in Canada. 

Located in Canada’s vibrant capital, uOttawa, proud to be the world’s largest bilingual (English and French) university, is minutes away from federal and other government institutions, several national agencies, embassies, international organizations, and connected to the thriving high-tech sector. We are committed to building partnerships across Canada and internationally and fostering innovation and knowledge mobilization in areas of significant social and economic impact.  

About the Canada Impact +Emerging Leaders Program 

The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada Program is a very prestigious, one-time initiative designed to support universities in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program also includes Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders awards, a $120M investment to help institutions recruit internationally based early career researchers to Canada.

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders award provides $100,000 per year over six years, with the possibility of a six-year funded extension at the same yearly amount, subject to program conditions. The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader must be recruited within the same strategic priority area as the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairholder, but the early career researcher (ECR) and the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairholder don't necessarily need to be in the same discipline or research field or be aligned with the same federal research funding agency. The ECR nominees are expected to have an independent program of research, with potential for impact through collaborations with, but not limited to, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairholders. Institutions may include support for the ECR in their research infrastructure request to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) through the Impact+ Research Infrastructure fund associated with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair.   

Note: An early career researcher is a researcher within five years from the date of their first research-related appointment, minus eligible delays in research, where:

• research-related appointments are defined as those where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently; and
• all eligible leaves (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) are credited as twice the amount of time taken, and professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not credited.

Eligibility of Candidates: 

Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) when the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair is accepted are eligible. Candidates who are at uOttawa or are based in Canada are not eligible to apply for this position as stipulated by the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada Program . Candidates must also meet the program’s early career researcher eligibility requirements.  

The successful candidate will be expected to begin their full-time tenure-track appointment at uOttawa by July 3, 2027.

Skills requirements:

• Education : Ph.D. or equivalent in Physics or Chemistry (please note that this is a requirement from the institution not the program).
• Required Qualifications : superior research achievements in the Impact+ Emerging Leader research area and the relevant Government of Canada strategic priority area; evidence 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. Passive (or active) knowledge of one’s second Official Language (French or English) is a requirement for tenure. English-French bilingualism is an asset. 

Application Package: 

• A cover letter (1-2 pages) highlighting the candidate’s research theme and how it fits with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada Program and the Government of Canada’s  strategic priority areas , how it aligns with uOttawa’s Strategic Areas of Research and research strengths, and the candidate’s qualifications and interest in being considered for a Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader position at the University of Ottawa.
• 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);
• Potential for knowledge translation and mobilization (1 page) to include:
  • How the research results could be shared and applied in practices, products and/or services, and how tangible economic or societal benefits for Canada and Canadians will be generated.
  • Outline the proposed engagement mechanisms, target users, and potential partnerships such as private and public sectors, national and international research institutions, philanthropic organizations and Indigenous communities (if applicable).
• A statement of teaching interests (1 to 2 pages); 
• A statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion philosophy and concrete practices (1 page);
• The names and contact information of three people who may be contacted by the University for letters of reference (i.e. 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);
• Self-identification: Complete the confidential Employment Equity questionnaire online during the application process. Further information about the collection of self-identification information can be found in the guidelines on “ Creating an Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Research Environment: A Best Practices Guide for Recruitment, Hiring and Retention ”.   

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: 

Located on the ancestral land of the Algonquin people, uOttawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from individuals from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and individuals from LGBTQ2+ communities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively implement equity measures that ensure and retain diverse teams and promote inclusive practices for research team members.  

Duties : Academic staff functions include, in varying proportions: teaching; scholarly activities such as research, artistic or literary creation, or professional work; academic service; and graduate student supervision.

Rank and salary :  New tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The starting salary for an Assistant Professor is $99,377 (according to the scale in effect as of May 1, 2025).

Benefits package: uOttawa provides a  complete benefits package , which includes long-term disability insurance, basic group life insurance, health insurance, the University of Ottawa pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as reimbursement of eligible relocation expenses. 

Location of work: Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5. 

Deadline:  November 16, 2026

More information regarding  Academic Careers can be found online .  Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

To apply, we invite you to merge the various sections of your application into a single PDF file, which you can then upload to the Careers website. However, if you encounter any problems submitting your application, you can send it to the following email address: View email address on nature.com .

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. Julie St-Pierre, Vice-President, Research and Innovation 

University of Ottawa 

550 Cumberland St., room 246 

Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA 

For questions, please email:  View email address on nature.com

Ad posted on September 16, 2026. 

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 emailing Stéfanie Bergès-Lalonde at the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, using the following email address: View email address on nature.com. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

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