Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Community Infrastructure - Directorship of the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

5d•CA$131,803•Onsite

About The Position

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Indigenous Community Infrastructure, who will also serve as Director of the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure, and be appointed as a tenured professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. We seek an accomplished Indigenous scholar with demonstrated leadership in advancing civil infrastructure systems that address the needs of Indigenous and remote communities, and who brings a proven ability to build meaningful, sustained, and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities. The Centre plays a central role in building relationships, supporting workforce development, fostering an Indigenous infrastructure innovation ecosystem, and advancing knowledge exchange across sectors. This position reflects a strategic commitment to advancing reconciliation and strengthening Indigenous leadership in engineering research and education. Indigenous communities continue to face critical infrastructure challenges, including in housing, water and wastewater systems, transportation, energy, and climate resilience. In this context, the Director will lead the Centre’s core activities in collaborative research, training, and community engagement, while strengthening and expanding partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. They will also guide interdisciplinary initiatives across priority areas such as water, housing, energy systems, climate adaptation, and infrastructure in remote regions. Through this work, the Chairholder and Director will play a nationally significant role by advancing impactful research, fostering meaningful partnerships, and training highly qualified personnel.

Requirements

PhD in Civil Engineering (preferred) or closely related fields, including but not limited to: Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources / Hydraulics, Environmental Engineering, Municipal Engineering, Coastal / Ocean Engineering; Related disciplines: mining, petroleum, environmental sciences, hydrogeology, materials science (within engineering context)
Demonstrated record of research excellence with publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
Proven or strong potential to secure external competitive research funding.
Demonstrated experience in collaborative work with Indigenous communities (strong asset).
Evidence of leadership and/or administrative experience in academic, research, or community-based settings.
Lived experience in an Indigenous community with sustained engagement (strongly preferred).
Ability to communicate effectively in English or French.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in collaborative work with Indigenous communities
Lived experience in an Indigenous community with sustained engagement

Responsibilities

Direct the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure
Develop and lead a high-impact, externally funded research program
Build and sustain trust-based, long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities
Advance community-driven, culturally grounded, and technically rigorous infrastructure solutions
Strengthen and expand CICI’s national and international profile
Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching
Supervise graduate students and trainees
Participate in academic, institutional, and community service