Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Network Science (Assistant/Associate Professor)

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Science at York University invites highly qualified applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor   in Network Science. This is an open tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2027. 

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics views this position as a key step towards establishing York University as a Canadian leader in Network Science research and in post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate training. The successful candidate will also contribute to teaching and curriculum development, including to the existing BSc/BA program in Data Science. Our vision is for Network Science to bring together researchers across the university, graduate and undergraduate students, and industrial partners, to advance interdisciplinary and applied research. This position will strengthen student training in methods for understanding complex networks and further enhance York University’s research reputation.

The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-relate appointment (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3. Please see the CRC website http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ for further eligibility details. 

Recognizing the underrepresentation of women and gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.   

In alignment with the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html, York University requires that Indigenous applicants provide supporting documentation to affirm their citizenship or membership to an Indigenous collective https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/directive-tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html#4.9. This policy ensures that positions and funding intended for the Indigenous chairs in the program benefit First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants. For more information regarding accepted supporting documentation, please consult the Directive on the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation  https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/directive-tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html.  

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.   

This position is intended to recruit external candidates to add to the University’s research strength in the areas identified in this ad. 

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/ program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship toward three main research goals: 1) to understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels, 2) predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective and 3) use these predictions to drive new research and technology development. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years (2023 – 2030). 

Candidate Qualifications: [1]

Degree: PhD or PhD near completion by the appointment’s start in a field closely related to Network Science, is required.

Scholarship:

• A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in any area of Network Science which may include but is not limited to the study of complex networks such as telecommunication networks, computer networks, biological networks, cognitive and semantic networks, and social networks, using theories and methods such as graph theory, random matrix theory, machine learning for graph-structured data, and inferential modeling.
• A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research. 
• A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., a record of publications (or forthcoming publications) in top-ranked and field-relevant journals; presentations at major conferences; awards and accolades; and strong recommendations from referees of high standing).

Teaching:

• A record or evident promise of excellence in undergraduate teaching and dedication to students (e.g., teaching statement; teaching accomplishments and pedagogical innovations (e.g., high-priority areas such as experiential education and technology enhanced learning); student evaluations; strong letters of reference). 
• Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.

Hiring Policies:

• The anticipated starting salary for this position at the rank of Assistant Professor is in the range of $136,000 to $166,000, at the rank of Associate Professor is in the range of $147,000 to $177,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. York University offers generous benefits and salary provisions. 
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here https://www.yorku.ca/unit/vpf/affirmative-action-program/ or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager (aqsa517@yorku.ca). 
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. 
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/ and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Paul Skoufranis, Chair of the Hiring Committee, at pskoufra@yorku.ca.
• The use of artificial intelligence will be used to screen, assess or select applicants. Applicants who require more information are invited to contact Paul Skoufranis, Chair of the Hiring Committee, at pskoufra@yorku.ca.

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: November 1, 2026
• Required materials: 1) cover letter; 2) current CV; 3) research statement; 4) teaching statement; 5) teaching dossier; and 6) names and contact information for three referees willing to provide a confidential letter of reference. Reference letters will only be requested from shortlisted candidates.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application at this link: YUWorkAA http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YUWorkAA.
• Direct questions about the position to Paul Skoufranis at pskoufra@yorku.ca.
• Submit materials: at https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/list/29106

Learn More About York:

• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan https://www.yorku.ca/research/strategic-research-plan-2023-2028/ showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy https://www.yorku.ca/dedi-strategy/, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion https://www.yorku.ca/abr/ and the Indigenous Framework for York University https://www.yorku.ca/indigenous-landing/wp-content/uploads/sites/817/2025/08/Indigenous-Framework-for-York-University-A-Guide-to-Action.pdf.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/.

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory. More than two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Today, York University campuses are located on the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13 lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the lands of the Anishinabek of the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our campuses are also situated on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.

[1] Determined by the Hiring unit and York University, not the CRC program.ciliation.