Canada Impact + Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems Justification

Canada Impact + Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems Justification
University of Guelph

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

College of Engineering

2062

Canada Impact + Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems Justification

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world‑leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long‑term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders.

Impact+ chair holders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

The Impact+ program provides opportunities for internationally renowned scholars and scientists in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the intake’s Final date to receive applications are eligible to apply. It offers awards of two values: $1 Million/year or $500 000/year. Award funds support not only the direct costs of research, but also associated indirect costs, and a portion of the funding may be allocated toward salary support in accordance with institutional and program guidelines.

Nominees must be full professors or associate professors or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. A Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline is required by the University of Guelph.

Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Electrified Autonomous Systems

The College Of Engineering Is Recruiting Canada Impact+ Research Chair(s) In Electrified Autonomous Systems, At An Award Value Of The $500,000/year. The Term Is For 8 Years, With a Possibility For a Four-year Funded Extension, At 50% Of The Original Award Value. The Chair Will Be Housed In The Department Of Electrical And Computer Engineering. It Aligns With The Federal Strategic Priority Areas Of

• Advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity);
• Clean technology and resource value chains;
• Manufacturing and advanced materials; and
• Defence and dual‑use technologies.

The Program’s Evaluation Criteria Are

• Research/academic merit and leadership skills of the nominee
• Quality of the institutional support
• Quality of the research program
• Potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international research ecosystem
• Potential for knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results

The Government of Canada values knowledge mobilization, translation and commercialization as critical pathways to ensuring research delivers tangible benefits at both national and global levels. Impact+ Chairs are expected to move beyond discovery to generate social, economic and policy impacts, working in close collaboration with partners across various sectors.

The Chair will establish and lead a world‑class research program focused on electrified autonomous systems
, with particular emphasis on the electrical engineering foundations of electrification, energy‑constrained autonomous platforms (e.g., electric vehicles), and grid‑connected intelligent infrastructure
.

• Power electronic and energy architectures for electrified autonomous systems
• Reliability, resilience, and security of electrified autonomous systems
• Interaction of autonomous electric platforms with charging and grid‑connected infrastructure
• Energy‑aware autonomy integrating sensing, decision‑making, and actuation

Successful nominees will have the primary responsibility for directing the research program and all related…