Join Canada’s next generation of research leaders
In response to the federal government’s suite of international talent attraction initiatives, Queen’s University is actively recruiting outstanding international research leaders across a number of strategic areas to support growth of the Canadian research ecosystem. With a long-standing reputation for research intensity and interdisciplinary collaboration, Queen’s provides the conditions for scholars to accelerate discovery, build high-impact programs, and deepen partnerships across sectors.
Researchers who join Canada and Queen’s will benefit from:
- Significant federal investment to launch and grow an ambitious research program.
- A collaborative national research ecosystem with extensive opportunities to partner with government, industry, health systems, and community organizations.
- Interdisciplinary alignment with , supporting big-picture research with real-world impact.
- An inclusive and supportive environment, with services tailored to the needs of internationally recruited scholars and their families.
- A vibrant, research-active campus in Kingston, offering a strong community, a high quality of life, and proximity to major research and policy centres.
Coming soon: Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders
The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders competition complements the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program and provides early career researchers with $100,000 per year in funding support. Emerging Leaders positions are six years in duration, with a possibility for a six-year funded extension, at the same yearly award value.
Queen’s University invites nominee applications from all qualified individuals. Selected nominees will work in partnership with Queen’s to submit an application package for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program.
Opportunities through the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program will be posted here when available.
Canada Excellence Research Chairs
The (CERC) program aims to continue growth at the leading edge of breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation priority areas that are expected to generate social and economic benefits for Canadians and others around the world. Chairs’ research programs are positioned for global impact through the commercialization, knowledge translation and mobilization generated by the research. Each CERC position awards $8 million or $4 million over eight years, empowering researchers and their teams to launch bold, high-impact programs that align with Canada’s science, technology, and innovation priorities.
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs
In 2026, Canada is making an unprecedented investment in global research leadership through the , one of the country’s most ambitious academic talent initiatives to date. This federal program is designed to attract exceptional researchers whose work has the potential to create transformative societal, economic, and scientific impact.
For scholars seeking an environment that empowers bold ideas, Canada offers a uniquely strong platform for research excellence and global influence. The Impact+ Research Chairs program awards $8 million or $4 million over eight years, with the opportunity for a four-year extension funded 50% of the award value.
The Impact+ Research Chairs program is complemented by the Program, and the , supporting recruitment of internationally based early-career researchers to Canada, as well as the , designed to attract globally recognized researchers, strengthen Canada’s innovation leadership, and enhance its competitiveness on the world stage.
Past opportunities
»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ processes for identifying nominees for the Canada Impact+ Research Chair competition and 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chair competitions have now closed. Archived postings can be viewed on our Canada Research Chairs (CRC) webpage, along with open an archived CRC advertisements.
»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ Queen’s UniversityÂ
Established in 1841,»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ is internationally recognized for research, innovation, and academic excellence. With a strong history of scholarship, discovery, global impact, and transformative education, our students, faculty, and staff are tackling humanity’s greatest challenges. Home to more than 25,000 students, Queen’s offers a comprehensive research-intensive environment. Diverse perspectives and a wealth of experience enrich our students and faculty while a core part of our mission is to engage in international learning and research. Queen’s University is ranked 6th globally in the The rankings measured over 2,100 post-secondary institutions from 125 countries on their work to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Research at Queen’s
From Nobel Prize-winning research exploring the building blocks of the universe to cancer care and treatment to sustainable technologies, our university is tackling humanity’s most pressing challenges.
A member of the , Queen’s is home to a vibrant research community that includes 48 Canada Research Chairs and over 20 research centres and institutes who work in partnership with communities, governments, and industry to advance research and innovation, making a measured impact on Canada and the world.
At Queen’s, research chairholders will find:
- A supportive, inclusive and equitable research environment that encourages interdisciplinary vision and research leadership.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities, research centres, and institutes.
- A bold community committed to translating research into real-world impact.
Our research strengths
Queen’s has six themes of strategic research focus. Built upon existing and emerging research strengths, these are areas in which we are uniquely positioned for impact and investment. To learn more about research excellence at Queen’s, read our Strategic Research Plan (2025-2030).
Human curiosity drives us to explore and discover, revealing both our place in the world and solutions to global challenges. At Queen’s, researchers study Earth’s systems, from landscapes and freshwater networks to the impacts of climate change, while also advancing mathematical models, molecular sciences, and interactions between social, biological, and environmental systems. Foundational work in astroparticle physics, astronomy, and quantum photonics is complemented by scholarship in Indigenous and diverse ways of knowing, expanding our understanding of the planet and the universe.
Research in health at Queen’s spans discovery science, clinical practice, and community-based care, advancing new knowledge and treatments that improve lives. Scholars are leading innovations in cancer therapy and clinical trials, while also transforming approaches to cardiovascular disease, brain health, inflammation, and infectious disease. From medical imaging and novel technologies to public health and prevention, interdisciplinary teams are addressing the most pressing health challenges and advancing lifelong wellbeing for all.
Queen’s researchers explore what it means to be human through studies of history, culture, language, politics, and the arts. This scholarship addresses inequality, colonialism, Indigenous rights, and the impacts of media and technology, while also highlighting the role of creativity and cultural diversity in shaping our world. By advancing understanding of democracy, justice, and human dignity, this work helps envision just and inclusive futures and informs ethical responses to global challenges.
Materials research at Queen’s is driving advances in energy, infrastructure, technology, and health. From designing corrosion-resistant coatings and sustainable materials to developing applications for medical treatments and clean energy, researchers are building solutions for today and tomorrow. Integrating insights from engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine, this work delivers innovations that support resilient infrastructure, greener energy, and improved quality of life.
Supercomputing and advanced analytics are transforming how researchers address complex global questions. At Queen’s, experts are building capacity in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and human–machine interaction, with applications across business, health, and the humanities. This work not only drives innovation but also examines issues of equity, privacy, and ethics, ensuring technology serves society responsibly and sustainably.
Researchers at Queen’s are tackling the dual challenges of climate change and social prosperity. Their work advances green energy, sustainable infrastructure, and resource solutions, while also addressing governance, peacebuilding, and inclusive citizenship. By collaborating with communities and exploring education, migration, accessibility, and equity, this research helps shape societies that are more resilient, just, and sustainable for generations to come.
Our research in action
![[Aerial view of Queen's campus]](/gazette/sites/gazettewww/files/styles/large/public/2026-06/Gazette%20-THE-organic-1800x1200_0.jpg?itok=X0TcLSfs)
Jun 23, 2026
»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ ranks 4th in the world in impact rankings
The university rises in global placement in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings while remaining Canada's top-ranked institution for a second straight year.
Jun 22, 2026
Queen’s signs MOU with Université de Sherbrooke to advance Canada’s sovereign quantum and supercomputing future
Partnership combines expertise to strengthen high performance computing capabilities for public sector and industry.
Jun 18, 2026
Queen’s University climbs in global university rankings
The university improved across key research and global engagement measures, reaching its highest QS ranking in more than a decade.
Life in Kingston, Ontario
Situated on the shoreline of Lake Ontario, the city of Kingston is approximately a two-hour drive from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, three of Canada’s leading cities for culture, innovation, and global connectivity. This stunning, historic city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada and has been named as the top small city (100,000 – 500,000 population) in Canada for the strength of its
Queen’s University offers dedicated relocation and immigration support services to ensure a smooth and successful transition to Canada and Kingston for new faculty members and their families.
Connect with our team
For questions about available positions and applications to Queen’s University, please contact research@queensu.ca