Canada Research Chair Tier I in Sleep, Aging and Cognition

The Department of Health, Kinesiology, & Applied Physiology in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier I in Sleep, Aging and Cognition. We are seeking candidates who will lead innovative and cutting-edge research in areas of specializations, including—but not limited to—the mechanisms by which sleep impacts age-related cognitive decline. They could, for example, investigate the role of sleep in memory consolidation and its effect on cognitive functions in older adults. 

NB:  This position is open only to current tenured Associate Professors and tenured Professors at Concordia University. 

Candidates must have a PhD in a field related to sleep research or a related discipline and have relevant postdoctoral training. The successful candidate will provide evidence of an outstanding record of research and peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, a demonstrated ability to secure external funding, and an innovative research program in sleep, aging, and cognition, taking into full consideration career stage, career breaks and special circumstances. The successful candidate will have existing collaborative relationships with government, health, and/or community organizations, with other members of the Faculty of Arts and Science, as well as nationally and internationally. They will be recognized internationally as a leader in their field as required by the CRC Tier I program and have a superior record of attracting and supervising high quality graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.  

Candidates eligible for Tier I chair positions must be outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. Nominees for Tier I Chair positions must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria. 

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. 

Please note that this position is open only to current faculty members of Concordia University meeting certain criteria, as detailed above. All eligible and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens 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 December 15, 2025 and be addressed to Dr. Nancy St-Onge, Chair of the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology, and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of no more than three representative publications in the area of the CRC, a statement of research including the planned research programme, three letters of support, and an EDI statement. Applications should be submitted electronically to liz.fradette@concordia.ca, with the subject heading CRC Application. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.  

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.