Professor - Canada Excellence Research Chair - Cybersecurity

As part of the 2026 competition for the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program, the Faculty of Science at the Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) is inviting applications for a professor position, with the selected candidate expected to hold a prestigious CERC.

This position falls under the Digital Age: Intelligent Organizations and Training unifying theme at the UdeS. Given the identified research focus, the selected candidate will be affiliated with the Department of Computer Science.

This call for proposals is open only to external candidates, meaning individuals who do not hold a position or a professorial status at the UdeS as of the application deadline.

CERCs are worth $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year for 8 years and are non-renewable.

DESIRED PROFILE

The candidate’s primary field of expertise must focus on the following theme:

Cybersecurity, its advanced analysis methodologies and its multidisciplinary approaches.

The candidate must have expertise in developing cyber threat analysis methodologies that combine artificial intelligence with behavioural and legal analysis.

The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment, as close collaborations within the Cybersecurity Hub are expected, particularly in engineering, as well as in management, social sciences and law. As part of its research program, the candidate must also be able to develop partnerships with public and private sector players active in the field of cybersecurity, both nationally and internationally.

The CERC program was established by the Government of Canada to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the best researchers in the world to lead the way in advancing priority areas of science, technology and innovation likely to generate positive social and economic benefits for Canadians.

Successful candidates will be selected by a selection committee that will comply with the recruitment and nomination requirements of the CERC program based on the following criteria:

1) Academic and research record and leadership skills

Leading researchers whose achievements have had a major societal impact in their field (depending on the stage of their career) and who are recognized internationally as leaders. Proven ability to attract and mentor a diverse group of students, trainees and research staff, and to create an equitable and inclusive research environment.

2) Quality of the research program

The extent to which the research program aligns with one or more of the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities for the CERC and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

3) Structuring impact of the proposal on the strengths and strategic research priorities at the UdeS and on their positioning in Canada and globally.

CAREER INTERRUPTIONS

In accordance with the diversity and equity objectives, career interruptions for parental, medical and family leave or due to the pandemic are considered in assessing the applications. Candidates are encouraged to identify such periods in their curricula vitæ or cover letters.

University’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The UdeS will prioritize applications that enable it to strengthen its strategic commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

DUTIES

• Teach at all graduate and undergraduate levels.
• Supervise graduate students.
• Develop fundamental and applied research activities.
• Take part in university life.
• Contribute to community service.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience and education.
• Compliance with the requirements of the CERC program.
• Publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and conferences, attesting to the excellence of the research record.
• Leadership qualities, initiative, and excellent abilities to communicate and interact effectively and harmoniously with internal and external partners.
• Experience in interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary research and in knowledge transfer will be considered an asset.
• Good ability to supervise graduate students.
• Strong interest in and aptitude for teaching and university pedagogy as well as research, development and innovation.
• Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relations, to collaborate and to work as a team member.
• Experience in equity, diversity and inclusion. Ability to teach in French or to achieve this ability within two years.
• Candidates must be full professors or associate professors who will be qualified to become full professors within two years of nomination.
• Candidates from outside the post-secondary education community must have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to similar positions.
• Ability to comply with the requirements for responsible conduct in research.

WORK CONDITIONS

The working conditions are governed by the collective agreement in effect.

Regular, full-time position.

Anticipated start date: To be determined; no later than spring 2028.

Location: Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada).

APPLICATION PROCESS

The deadline for submitting applications is FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Please attach the following documents (in English or French):

1. Your curriculum vitæ;
2. A cover letter;
3. A research program proposal (6 pages) that includes its original contribution: in line with world-leading research in this field; to one or more of the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities for the CERC program; to knowledge mobilization and translation so that all sectors of society (business, government, academia, non-profit organizations, etc.) benefit from the research and data generated; to existing expertise within the UdeS or in Canada; to the integration of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in the management of the team, the research environment and the design of the research project, as described by the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program.
4. A summary, not exceeding one page, of the top five career research contributions and their impact, in a language accessible to an interdisciplinary committee;
5. A summary, not exceeding one page, of the research program and its contribution, in a language accessible to an interdisciplinary committee;
6. Copies of your most recent scientific articles relevant to the fields indicated.

Appointment to a CERC follows two eliminatory stages. In the first stage, applications are assessed by the UdeS in response to this call for proposals. Only those candidates selected then enter the second stage, where they will co-develop an application with the UdeS for submission to the government granting council.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Candidates must be available between April 14 and May 16, 2025, for a possible interview.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

A nationally and internationally renowned institution, the UdeS is the heart of one of Quebec’s three major teaching and research centres. Located in one of the most dynamic university towns in the province, it proudly competes with the universities in major centres. It has made remarkable advances in research while remaining true to its values: sustainable development; equity, diversity and inclusion; and constant collaboration with its community and partners.