CIHR Tier 2 CRC in Molecular Imaging

The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University invites applications for a CIHR Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Imaging. The ideal candidate is one who can contribute to the development of advanced molecular imaging techniques, as well as their translation into clinical practice, with an emphasis on nuclear medicine for cancer, neurology, and other disease areas.

Researchers with interests in translational research on innovative nuclear medicine imaging technologies, including organ-targeted and hybrid approaches, as well as advanced methods for image acquisition and reconstruction, are particularly encouraged to apply. The CRC position is for five (5) years and is renewable once and subject to approval by the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs (TIPs) Secretariat.

The successful applicant will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, with rank commensurate with experience, with an anticipated start date commencing within four to six months following notice of approval. Tier 2 CRCs are intended for outstanding and innovative emerging researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields and are recognized as leaders in their fields.

By combining discovery and translational research, the Chair will increase the research capacity and training opportunities at Lakehead University. The Chair will also add to the continuing development of research excellence in the Department of Physics within the University. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate a strong record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, advisory committees), and a demonstrated record of working with and mentoring students, trainees, and research personnel.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be assessed through teaching accomplishments, a teaching dossier that can be submitted as part of the application, as well as strong letters of reference. Nominees to the CRC Program will develop and implement a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse team and an inclusive research and training environment that promotes co-creation with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, not-for-profit and philanthropic), in order to increase research knowledge mobilization and translation for the benefit of all Canadians.

In addition, Lakehead University requires that applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Physics, or a related area. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing research strengths.

Compensation

• Associate Professor: $120,496 – $170,496

Salary will be determined in accordance with the Lakehead University Faculty Association (LUFA) Collective Agreement and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Tier 2 CRCs are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.

Candidates for Tier 2 Chair positions must meet all the requirements for Tier 2 CRCs and be eligible for assistant or associate professor positions. Tier 2 CRCs normally are not more than 10 years from commencing their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of submitting the nomination to the CRC Secretariat. However, Lakehead University may nominate a professor or a researcher who is more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment if the candidate has experienced career interruptions.

Lakehead University will seek CRC eligibility approval for shortlisted candidates only. Please note that the CRC Program imposes no restrictions on nominees concerning nationality or country of residence.

Successful candidates will:

• be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated research creativity;
• have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;
• as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students, and future researchers;
• be proposing an original, innovative research program in molecular imaging that is of the highest quality.

CRCs at Lakehead University are appointed and governed by the provisions of the Lakehead University Faculty Association Collective Agreement. For the duration of the CRC, the CRC will be given a reduced teaching load in order to dedicate the majority of their time to research, be provided with a start-up grant, CFI-JELF Infrastructure Grant, an annual research grant, and research space appropriate for the proposed CRC’s program of research.

Lakehead University is advancing research, scholarly and creative work; providing transformative learning experiences that position graduates for success; and finding solutions to society’s biggest challenges through academic programming, research and collaboration.

Lakehead University is recognized as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities in its category for the last decade. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being the highest ranked university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students for its global impact according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

Lakehead placed in the top 70 in the world based on our efforts in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the University’s commitment to social, cultural and environmental sustainability, and good health and well-being.

For the fourth year in a row, THE World University Rankings (2023) ranks Lakehead in the top 800 globally out of more than 1,600 participating institutions from 99 countries. Aligned with our Strategic Plan, Research Plan, CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, and Institutional EDI Action Plan, we are actively recruiting outstanding scholars to enhance and grow our research and innovation capacity.

Situated in the diverse and multicultural communities of Thunder Bay and Orillia, our unique campuses and their locations inspire us to discover and innovate in exciting and non-traditional ways.

Lakehead University and our Community

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples.

Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties.

For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

The Faculty and Department of Physics

The Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University hosts the Department of Physics along with 10 other departments. Within the Faculty, the Department of Physics is highly research-active, with faculty working in experiment and theory in the broad areas of condensed matter and optical physics, including imaging and related materials, optical sensing, surface science, quantum optics and soft matter physics. The department offers an MSc program in Physics.

Supervision of PhD students is done through the Chemistry and Material Science or the Biotechnology PhD programs within the Faculty of Science of Environmental Studies. Lakehead University has several centralized labs to support research, including the Lakehead University Instrumentation Lab. Lakehead University is also a member of the SHARCNET Computing Consortium.

The Department of Physics will begin the review of applications on June 1, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be notified. The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Office of Research Services in completing a CRC Tier 2 and CFI nomination package expected within six months of the nomination.

If you have questions about the CRC program at Lakehead University, please contact Anne Klymenko, Director, Research Services by email: anne.klymenko@lakeheadu.ca or by telephone at 807-343-8110 Ext. 8223.

Equity Statement

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience.

Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred. Lakehead University recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration in the assessment of the candidate.

Candidates are encouraged to highlight how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted their research in their application. Lakehead also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, community-based research, other forms of scholarly expression, and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.

Lakehead University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves can have on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the review and assessment of application materials. Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.