Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in Translating Cyber Physical Sensory Systems to Reimagine Health and Prosperity

UM’s Strategic Research Themes are:

• Foundations
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Research by, with, and for Indigenous Peoples
• Water and Food Security
• Health and Well-being
• Climate Action and Sustainability
• Manitoba, Hudson Bay, Arctic, and the World

Please consult the Change Through Research University of Manitoba Strategic Research Plan 2024-2029 for further information about these Research Themes.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers two accredited undergraduate programs in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Combined, this community represents over 500 undergraduate students. Committed to pedagogical excellence, the two programs share a capstone design course that encourages projects with high levels of interdisciplinarity, and are frequently student-initiated and/or conducted in collaboration with industry. At the graduate level, the ECE Department is home to approximately 200 graduate students pursuing Ph.D. or M.Sc. degrees. Our graduate students are a diverse group that already meet the Engineers Canada "30 by 30" target and is the largest research graduate student community found within a single department at the University of Manitoba. This vibrant research community incorporates strong connections to companies ranging from start-ups to major corporations across multiple sectors. Currently, the ECE Department has over 30 academic staff, plus more than 40 postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and adjunct professors. Included in these are three Canada Research Chairs, an Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair, as well as a number of prominent researchers who have achieved recognition as NSERC Research Chairs, Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada, and University Distinguished Professorships. The scholarly vision of the Department is supported by 17 technical and administrative staff. We maintain substantially-funded research activities with strong connections across our campus and to other institutions. These are complemented by collaborations with industrial partners and government research laboratories. Additional information on the Department can be found at our website (umanitoba.ca/ece). Applicants may also find the new Strategic Research Plan of the University a useful snapshot of the breadth of ambition at the University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca/strategic-plan).

Researchers have access to core resources within the faculty, including the 4000 sq. ft. Nano Systems Fabrication Lab (NSFL), an open access clean room and micromachining lab with over $5M of nanofabrication infrastructure. This facility provides a comprehensive suite of equipment and software for fabrication, analysis, and testing of micro and nanoscale devices and is complemented by the Biosensors Research Lab that was established with CFI and Canada Biomedical Research Fund investments to provide microfluidics fabrication and level 2 cell culture capabilities to support biomedical device design, and the Applied Electromagnetics Lab which is a unique Canadian facility with three anechoic chambers for near- and far-field testing of antennas. In addition, access includes University facilities such as the Manitoba Institute for Materials (MIM), a world-class core facility for materials characterization. Founded by a $20M+ investment (Prairies Economic Development, UM, Research MB, CFI), MIM was recently awarded a $15M of upgrades through the "Stream 3" CFI Innovation Fund. MIM’s seamless integration of complementary spectroscopy and spectrometry tools for analyzing materials across macro, micro, and atomic scales is an integrated capability unrivalled by any single facility in Canada. A central point of contact for external industry partners, MIM offers streamlined access to cutting-edge scientific expertise and specialized instrumentation. Internally, the MIM community of 80+ Principal Investigators and their research teams span 6 UM Faculties and total 200+ active participants.

Live and Work where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers Meet

The City of Winnipeg (www.tourismwinnipeg.com), located where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, is recognized for its vibrant, multicultural community and diverse culture. The city, with a growing population of more than 766,000, is home to internationally renowned festivals, galleries and museums, the historic Exchange District and The Forks, and ever-expanding research, education, and business sectors. From the Hudson Bay waters, across the farmland fields, to the pulse of the cities and towns, The Province of Manitoba’s (www.travelmanitoba.com) people and places – its 100,000 lakes, 92 provincial parks, winding river valleys and storied prairie skies – inspire.

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a $120 million investment by the Government of Canada, affiliated with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada, designed to attract internationally based early-career researchers to Canada whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The Emerging Leaders are awarded $100,000 per year for six years with renewal potential for an additional six years, contingent on career progression and the demonstration of transformational, translational research that has successfully garnered partnerships.

About the Position

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba invites applications from exceptional international emerging scholars for the position of Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in Translating Cyber Physical Sensory Systems to Reimagine Health and Prosperity. The focus of this position is in the area of biosensors, AI-enhanced physiological monitoring, bioelectronic systems, edge computing/distributed sensing, or sensor fusion.

While this is a research-intensive position, the successful candidate will also contribute to educating students at the undergraduate and graduate level. The candidate’s research statement is expected to demonstrate expertise in one or more of the sub-fields identified above. Candidates must demonstrate their ability or potential for high-quality undergraduate and graduate teaching, proficiency in oral and written communication, and the ability to engage with a diverse audience. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to teach courses at the undergraduate level within Electrical and Computer Engineering, taking their share of teaching in the core of our programs.

The successful candidate will be appointed to a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, and salary and rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position includes a competitive start-up package that includes and the opportunity to compete for additional research infrastructure funding locally and via the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Qualifications:

Candidates for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program must:

• Be based internationally, (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time that the Impact + Emerging leader accepts the award;
• Be within five-years from the date of their first research-related appointment, minus eligible delays at the time of acceptance of the award;
• Have demonstrated a creative approach to research with the potential to achieve international recognition in their field within the next five to ten years;
• Be proposing a high quality, original, and innovative independent program of research with potential for impact through collaborations with, but not limited to, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs;
• Be willing and able to start the position on a full-time basis by the 10 June 2027;

Although not strictly required by the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader program, the University of Manitoba requires that candidates have an earned PhD in a in a field relevant to the areas of interest specified above, and be eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba. The successful candidate must also demonstrate the potential to lead an original, innovative high-impact research program as well as attract, develop and mentor excellent trainees. Teaching experience or potential in in core computer engineering subjects, electronics and related areas is an asset.

All funded Impact+ Emerging Research Chairs must adhere to the Tri-Agency guidance on research security, in accordance with the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), and National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships Policy (NSGRP). STRAC or NSGRP attestations may be requested during the recruitment process.

The Application Process

Applicants must apply to this University of Manitoba advertisement through the UM Careers portal for review, please clearly state the application position number in the cover letter. Applicants should upload their cover letter separately, their curriculum vitae separately, and then combine their research plan, teaching statement, personal statement and a list of three referees into a single PDF file and upload it under ‘Additional Documentation’ when applying in UM Careers. If you experience any difficulties accessing UM Careers, please contact Susan Hirst (Price Faculty of Engineering, Susan.Hirst@umanitoba.ca) for assistance.

Application materials include the following:

• a concise cover letter (max. 2 pages, font size 12 pt) describing suitability for the position
• a curriculum vitae (including examples of significant research contributions)
• a research plan (max. 5 pages, font size 12 pt) outlining an independent, innovative research program, and its potential to attract funding and contribute to student training and the applicant’s vision of success in the short-term, medium-term (~5 years) and long-term (career)
• a teaching statement (max. 3 pages, font size 12 pt) that documents the applicant's experience in and/or approach to training and mentoring diverse students and the candidate's teaching philosophy and teaching interests
• a personal statement (max. 1 page, font size 12pt) describing past, present, or planned actions to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as well as Truth and Reconciliation in the academic community
• the names and contact information of three referees
• A statement about the use of AI in preparing the application package.

The Canada Impact + Emerging Leaders program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants. This attestation is completed online as part of the UM application process.

A review of applications will begin by 20 November 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

If you require any accommodation at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact Susan Hirst at Price Faculty of Engineering. Susan.Hirst@umanitoba.ca.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations

Equity, diversity and inclusion are embedded as foundational principles in Impact+ objectives, expected outcomes and reporting requirements of the competition. The three agencies expect that institutions and Emerging leaders will demonstrate and implement the highest EDI standards for the duration of their award.

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader nomination selection committee will receive equity training that includes instruction on how to recognize and combat unconscious, implicit, overt, prejudicial and other kinds of bias.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant's record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain the impact of any such interruption(s) in their submission as described under "Career Interruptions" in the CRC program's Guidelines. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process. Please refer to the program’s FAQ page for the definition of Early Career Researchers (ECRs).

Additional information:

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.