This position is part of the BUFA (Employee Group) Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive! Brock has been recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara for seven consecutive years. We have been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. For 2025, Brock has been proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture, ranked seventh by Forbes in partnership with Statista. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock. Post End Date: Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed . September 8, 2025 About the CERC program Brock University welcomes applications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Sustainable Agriculture for Grape and Wine for consideration as a nominee to the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition. The CERC program is one of Canada’s most prestigious and well-funded research initiatives, designed to help Canadian universities attract and retain the world’s top research talent. Successful nominees and their teams receive either $8 million or $4 million over eight years, depending on the nature and costs of the proposed research program. CERCs support world-leading, high-impact research aligned with the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) priorities. The CERC program builds critical mass in key areas of expertise, advances science and technology development, and strengthens Canada’s global research reputation while generating social and economic benefits for Canadians. The CERC recruitment process is multi-staged. Interested applicants must first apply to this institutional posting. Selected candidates will work closely with Brock University to co-develop and submit a full nomination package to the 2026 CERC competition. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the Canada Excellence Research Program website. Brock University is committed to supporting the selected candidate in a full nomination to the CERC program. Appointment to a faculty position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor is contingent upon the outcome of the CERC nomination. CERC nominations are subject to review and final approval through the CERC program. Benefits associated with Chair appointments include teaching release and start-up research funds. If research infrastructure is required, candidates may also apply to the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), in alignment with CERC timelines. For more information, visit the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund webpage. For questions about Brock’s CERC process, please contact Samantha MacLean (smaclean@brocku.ca). About the Position The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science invites applications from world?leading researchers for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Sustainable Agriculture for Grape and Wine at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (subject to qualifications) Tenured, to commence May 1, 2027. The ideal candidate will be interested in developing collaborations with the local Ontario and wider Canadian grape and wine industry, taking advantage of existing research and development support through Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) and the Brock–Niagara Validation, Prototyping, and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI). There will be opportunities to collaborate with biologists in the department of Biological Sciences and scientists within CCOVI as well as colleagues in the departments of Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Geography and elsewhere. Brock University is located a short drive from a cluster of research universities in southern Ontario. This position belongs to the Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA) employee group. The CERC will focus on sustainable agriculture for grape and wine advancing two CERC priority challenge areas: Sustainable Food Systems and Clean Sustainable Prosperous Canada. This person would become a core member in the Department of Biological Sciences, within the focus area of Plant Sciences, Oenology and Viticulture. Brock has a strong research network across Biological Sciences, CCOVI, Engineering, and ESRC, focused on sustainable agriculture. We are especially interested in candidates who take an integrated agriculture approach towards sustainable viticulture practices, one who can bridge research in applied vineyard management with innovative digital and AI tools. The Chair’s research could include focus on improving grapevine and soil health with application to digital viticulture management. The Chair will join the department in contributing to the training, mentorship, and well-being of Brock undergraduate and graduate students through teaching and research supervision. Qualifications Applicants should ideally have a completed Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant or related discipline, as required by Brock University. CERC nominees must be full professors or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. The candidate will be a recognized national and international leader in sustainable viticulture, bringing a body of coherent research and associated social impact to the Department of Biological Sciences and Brock University. We are open to a diverse range of methodological approaches. In addition to traditional scholarly outputs such as peer review publications, applicants are also invited to demonstrate research excellence and impact through a track record of technology transfer for research outputs to the grape and wine sector, industry uptake/implementation of research outputs, and non-peer reviewed industry-focused publications. In addition to research, applicants should demonstrate successful mentoring or demonstrate a continuous commitment to the mentoring and training of undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research technicians. Brock University Brock University is committed to building inclusivity and equity through understanding and respect for diverse identities. These commitments are reflected in our approaches to teaching and learning, scholarly and creative work, administration and service provision, and community engagement. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in the recognition that the strongest research, scholarship, and creative activity and the best research training environment require engagement of scholars from diverse backgrounds. Consistent with Brock University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, in recognition of and pursuant to Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Indigenous peoples, members of racialized groups, people with disabilities, women, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of one or more designated groups as part of their application. Please note this information will be securely accessed for the fulfillment of this hiring initiative and to ensure accurate data regarding Brock’s CERC program. Brock University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities are expected to have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Where this is relevant, candidates are invited to share details they would like to have taken into consideration in their cover letter. Please visit the Canada Research Chair Program Guidelines for Assessing the Productivity of Nominees for examples of circumstances that may impact an applicant’s record of achievement. Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences The Faculty of Mathematics and Science is home to 7 academic Departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics. The Faculty is a dynamic and vibrant academic environment with 82 faculty members, 64 staff, 8,300 undergraduate students, and 213 graduate students. The Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock encourages collaboration between its different programs resulting in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and courses. Please see https://brocku.ca/mathematics-science/. Department of Biological Sciences The home department of Biological Sciences is a dynamic department within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, (see https://brocku.ca/mathematics-science/biology/ ). The department enjoys large and growing undergraduate and graduate student populations as well as active, diverse, and collaborative research faculty. Biological Sciences offers BSc, MSc, and PhD programs in Biological Sciences and in Biotechnology. Cross-appointments to other departments are also possible, including contributing to graduate programs currently being developed in the new Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering. The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) The applicant’s work will be supported by CCOVI (Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute). CCOVI is Brock’s flagship, internationally recognized, research institute dedicated to supporting the growth of the Canadian grape and wine industry and advancing cool climate winemaking globally. With state-of-the-art facilities such as a new research vineyard being planted in 2026, a robotic high throughput sequencing facility, a research winery, viticulture, oenology, entomology and virus research laboratories, a computerized sensory lab, a virtual reality wine consumer lab with supporting computer workstations and service laboratories for analytical and virus testing, the applicant will be expected to collaborate and formally affiliate with CCOVI. Application Process and Timeline: Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website. Please apply online using the “Apply” button. A single PDF document containing all application elements is preferred. (Note: File maximum of 5MB per attachment upload.) If needed, supplemental application information beyond the 5 MB limit can be sent to Brittany Kalbfleisch (bkalbfleisch@brocku.ca). 1) A letter of interest (suggested 2 pages) outlining: a. your qualifications for a successful CERC nomination; b. alignment of your profile and expertise with this CERC position; and c. definition that you hold for research excellence and impact. 2) A description of your program of research (suggested 3 pages), including: a. your short-term and long-term vision for your future research program as a CERC at Brock; b. novel opportunities for training/supporting scholars and/or students within a variety of research contexts; and c. the potential for the Chair to enhance your scholarly leadership and innovation capacity within the Department, Faculty, and University in strategic areas. d. Note: Please include your alignment with the CERC priority challenge areas: Sustainable Food Systems and Clean Sustainable Prosperous Canada. 3) An updated and complete curriculum vitae, which may include highlighting both traditional (e.g., grants, publications (peer-reviewed journals, books, and monographs), presentations, etc.) and non-traditional (e.g., community engagement initiatives, reciprocity in the form of partnerships and collaborative practices, advocacy work, knowledge translation, and other modes of scholarship that are relevant to your program of research) metrics around research excellence. 4) A statement of mentorship philosophy, teaching philosophy, interests related to departmental programs, and strategies to support diverse students (suggested 2 pages). 5) A statement of strengths and experiences in supporting Indigenous engagement, equity, diversity, and inclusion for their discipline through research, curriculum, advocacy, community outreach or engagement, and student support (suggested 2 pages). 6) The names and contact information of three referees who could provide confidential letters of assessment that speak to the candidates’ suitability to hold a faculty position and CERC at Brock University. Letters will not be requested unless an applicant is short listed. The closing date for the position is Monday, September 8th, 2025 at 12:01am. The last full day to apply is Sunday, September 7th. Review of applications will begin after the closing date. Although we appreciate all applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The effective date for the academic appointment may be as early as May 1, 2027 but is negotiable with the Faculty Dean. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval. It is expected that this search will lead to a nomination in March 2026, for which a decision from the CERC Program is anticipated in Winter 2027. Chairholders are expected to begin their appointment at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the award, with the earliest possible start date in Spring 2027. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Debbie Inglis, Chair of the Search Committee 905-688-5550 ext. 3828, dinglis@brocku.ca While Brock University prioritizes Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as noted in Our Commitment, the CERC program and this search impose no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. This search will follow Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada. For more information, please visit the CERC Program webpage on Eligibility of Nominees: https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx#6 Our Commitment Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples, Black people, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized groups, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should fill out the Self-Identification Form and include the completed form with their application. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca Brock University is a comprehensive institution with rich academic programs and world-class research activity. Located in Ontario’s scenic Niagara region on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, Brock is situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With nearly 600 full-time faculty members and researchers, Brock's robust academic scope offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs in seven dynamic Faculties. The University’s 19,000 students come from across Canada and around the world. Brock’s renowned student experience is enriched by an emphasis on experiential education, as illustrated by community partnerships, volunteerism and one of Ontario's largest and most successful co-op programs. Learn more at brocku.ca.
