Position Title / Rank: Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Artificial Intelligence
Department: One of School of Computer Science or Department of Mathematics & Statistics
College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences
Position Description:
The University of Guelph invites applications for nomination to the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Green Artificial Intelligence (AI), which focuses on either developing energy-efficient, sustainable AI models or infrastructures, or applying AI methods to address environmental, agricultural, and societal challenges. This opportunity will enable a world-class researcher to establish and lead an ambitious, multidisciplinary research program at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and computational science, positioning Canada at the forefront of ethical and environmentally responsible AI innovation.
About the CERC Program
The Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program is one of the most significant federal research funding initiatives, designed to recruit leading researchers from around the world. It offers universities award values of either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to support world‑renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities with the goal to support groundbreaking research programs, build critical mass in strategic science and technology areas, and deliver lasting social and economic benefits for Canadians. The CERC in Green AI has a value of $4 million over 8 years.
Research Focus: Green AI
The successful candidate will develop a world-leading research program in Green AI, with an emphasis on at least one of the following:
- Designing AI models, algorithms, and infrastructures that are energy-efficient and sustainable.
- Advancing low-carbon machine learning methodologies and scalable computational frameworks.
- Developing novel mathematical and statistical models for efficient AI or for energy-efficient computing infrastructure.
- Applying AI innovations to environmental, agricultural, and societal challenges, aligning with the University of Guelph’s leadership in agri-food, environmental sustainability, and ethical AI.
Strategic Alignment with the University of Guelph
The University of Guelph has a long-standing reputation as Canada’s food and agriculture university, with global leadership in environmental sustainability, agri-food innovation, data science and computational science. Our Strategic Plan emphasizes creating solutions for a sustainable future, advancing digital transformation, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that address society’s most pressing challenges. A CERC in Green AI directly strengthens this vision by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence with UoG’s expertise in food, environment, and communities, ensuring that technological innovation is aligned with ecological responsibility and societal benefit.
Candidate Profile
We seek an exceptional scholar with an international reputation for research excellence, innovation, and leadership. The successful nominee will:
- Hold a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a closely related discipline. (This is a University of Guelph requirement)
- Be an established full professor, or an associate professor expected to advance to full professor within 1–2 years.
- Demonstrate a record of outstanding research contributions, including high-impact publications, mentorship, and external research funding.
- Show a proven ability to lead large interdisciplinary teams and foster collaborations with academia, industry, and government.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in research, mentorship, and recruitment.
- For candidates pursuing research with or about Indigenous communities, demonstrate alignment with principles of Indigenous self-determination, co-creation, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Institutional Commitment
The University of Guelph is deeply committed to supporting the CERC through:
- Provision of world-class infrastructure, laboratories, and administrative support.
- Integration into thriving interdisciplinary research networks in computational sciences, agri-food innovation, sustainability, and ethics in technology.
- Long-term planning to sustain and expand the research program beyond the eight-year CERC term, ensuring enduring impact.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.
The University of Guelph recognizes that an inclusive campus and a culture of inclusion is an institutional and social imperative. Acknowledging the University’s diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of a successful post-secondary institution.
The University supports the CERC program’s commitment to excellence in research and research training. The goals of research excellence can only be met when equity and diversity are integrated into the research initiative. The CERC program reflects the federal government’s commitment to equity and diversity in employment. It aims to ensure the appropriate representation of women and gender minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, and racialized people.
Application Process
The CERC recruitment process consists of two stages. First, candidates apply to an open job posting at the University of Guelph. The successful candidate will then work with the University of Guelph to co-develop an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to a CERC university position is contingent upon receiving a CERC award. CERC awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award. The term is for eight years, after which other funding sources may be leveraged to facilitate a permanent position within our faculty.
Assessment of applications will begin on November 10, 2025, with a goal of hosting candidates for interviews in November. Interested external applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #1884) by submitting the following materials (in one merged PDF file uploaded to cv):
1. A cover letter describing their vision for a research program in Green AI and how it aligns with the goals of the CERC program.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Brief description of the proposed research program, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team (maximum three pages).
4. Highlights of your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan. (Maximum two pages).
5. The names and email addresses of three references, at least two of which are at arm’s length (not in conflict of interest).
The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position. If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Minglun Gong at
[email protected] or +1-519-824-4120 x54019.
The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence. Procedures to allow non-Canadian chairholders to work in Canada have been established by Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Deadline for application: November 10, 2025
Applications and inquiries should be directed to:
Office of Research, University of Guelph
Email:
[email protected]
Why Join UoG?
At the University of Guelph, you will join a vibrant, research-intensive institution with a strong reputation for innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. Located in Ontario’s innovation corridor, UoG offers unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners in Canada and globally.
This position is contingent upon a successful institutional nomination and subsequent approval by the CERC 2026 competition.
Date Posted: 10/10/2025
Deadline: 11/10/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.
This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).
The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”
The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting
[email protected].
