Canada Research Chair Tier II in Efficient and Flexible Foundational Artificial Intelligence Models

The Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Efficient and Flexible Foundational AI Models. The successful candidate will be nominated for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2. The CRC will support and expand Concordia University’s rapidly growing research programs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and scalable computing systems. The successful candidate will lead an innovative research program focused on advancing next-generation AI foundation models that are more efficient, adaptable, and practical to deploy across diverse hardware platforms and real-world environments. Key research directions include, but are not limited to, developing more capable foundational AI architectures, innovating optimization and scaling methodologies, enabling flexible and heterogeneous distributed training, strengthening continual-learning capabilities, and designing highly efficient inference techniques.

The successful candidate will benefit from and contribute to Concordia’s expanding AI ecosystem, including the Institute for Applied AI, strong faculty and departmental expertise in Generative AI and machine learning.

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding emerging researcher who will strengthen our critical mass of researchers in machine learning, optimization, data‑intensive science, and AI applications, providing a strong collaborative environment to build a world‑leading research program. They will also benefit from University‑wide interdisciplinary collaborations spanning health, sustainability and energy, computer vision, natural language processing, and applied AI initiatives through Concordia’s Applied AI Institute.

This is a research-intensive tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, but exceptional candidates at the Associate Professor level may also be considered. Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and service to the institution. 

Concordia University requires applicants to have a PhD in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related field, and postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in areas related to large‑scale machine learning, foundation models, optimization, distributed systems, or AI efficiency. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association, preferably in Quebec, is required.

The main criteria for selection are scholarly and teaching excellence. The successful candidate is an outstanding and innovative researcher with the potential to accomplish world-class research, making a major impact in their field. They must have a record of, or a strong potential for attracting major external funding and carrying out an independent research program, leading to high-impact publications and/or commercial applications. Industry experience, applications of research to industry, or community service will be considered an asset. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to the supervision of Master's and Ph.D. students.

For Tier II chairs only 

NB:  This position is open to external candidates and current tenure-track and tenured faculty at Concordia University who are within 10 years of their first independent academic research-related appointment.

Candidates eligible for Tier II chair positions must be excellent emerging scholars within 10 years of their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of nomination (exclusive of career interruptions).  Potential Tier II candidates who are more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment should take note that certain career interruptions may still make them eligible for nomination. Potential candidates are encouraged to submit a formal justification by means of the Tier II Justification Assessment Form, which will be considered in the review of applications.  Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and acceptable justifications to the extension of the eligibility term.

Notwithstanding the above and irrespective of their submission of a formal justification, candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.

Education at Concordia University is delivered largely in person; unless otherwise specified, candidates must be able to fulfil their teaching and service duties in person on campus. Where public health or other circumstances require it, candidates may be directed to provide instruction remotely.

Please note that this position is open to external candidates and to current faculty members of Concordia University meeting certain criteria, as detailed above. All eligible and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements:

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

or 

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

Applications should be submitted by May 31, 2026, and addressed to: Dr. Joey Paquet, Chair at hiring@cse.concordia.ca and must include the following: 

1. Cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (25-C-CSSE-M),
2. Detailed curriculum vitae,
3. Research statement that can form the basis of a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair nomination,
4. Teaching statement,
5. Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in research, and as per the instructions below,
6. Names and contact information for at least four referees

Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The faculty appointment is expected to commence on August 1, 2026.

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society.

Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to:

• teaching about underrepresented populations

• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds

• committee work

• offering or organizing educational programming

• participation in training and workshops

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Dr. Mark Villacorta, Senior Equity Advisor: equity@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 4875.