Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Associate or Full Professor in Computer Science
University of Waterloo
Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Associate or Full Professor in Computer Science
Located in the heart of Waterloo Region, the University of Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and home to world-class research and inspired teaching. The Faculty of Mathematics, Cheriton School of Computer Science is seeking exceptional scholars and researchers to take up a position as a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx) in the strategic priority area of Computer Science. The CERC program was established to offer Chairs valued at $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year, for a total of $4,000,000 or $8,000,000 over eight years. The University of Waterloo is proceeding with nominations at the $500,000 level, with funds allocated towards the Chair’s salary and research expenses.
Candidates will have a PhD or equivalent with relevant professional designation or licensure, a requirement of the University of Waterloo. A global research leader with evidence of an exceptional research program that has made a major societal impact, the candidate will propose an innovative program of high-quality research that includes collaboration with researchers in closely related fields and supervision of graduate students. They will also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels (a reduced teaching assignment will be in place during the term of the Chair) and provide service to the unit. Applicants whose research aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan (https://uwaterloo.ca/strategic-plan/) and Research Strategic Plan (https://uwaterloo.ca/research-strategic-plan/) and Government of Canada (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx) priorities are preferred.
The role includes appointment to a full-time tenured or tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within Faculty of Mathematics, Cheriton School of Computer Science. All CERC appointments are subject to review and contingent upon approval by the CERC Secretariat (https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx) (results expected January 2027). The salary range for the position will depend upon the rank (i.e., Associate Professor, Professor).
Eligibility
Candidates should be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor within one to two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at another Canadian institution are eligible, but should they be nominated the University will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to Canada in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.
At Waterloo, it’s recognized that career interruptions can have an impact on research achievements. Applicants are encouraged to explain further how this may affect them in their application; this information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Contact the Office of Research (cerc@uwaterloo.ca) for full CERC information including further details on eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Applications received by September 5th, 2025 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Apply in confidence with a curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, teaching dossier, and up to five sample research outputs. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. If applicable, applicants are also invited to submit an optional letter or oral statement of support from the individual’s community that describes the individual’s involvement/role within the community, or a statement of lived experience. Send application packages to: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/faculty-recruiting/ .
All applicants to this CERC opportunity are required to self-identify using the self-identification applicant survey at https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08RcdJzz6YAh4TX . The CERC program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants to assess the diversity of its candidate pool. Information disclosed by applicants will be kept strictly confidential.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Karen Parkinson ( Occupational Health, occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca ) who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded and confidentiality is maintained. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact: Professor Olga Veksler, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, cs-recruiting@uwaterloo.ca.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.