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Job Description

The Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University invites applications for a NSERC Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Ocean Data Analytics.

This position is designated to candidates who self-identify as a woman or member of another gender equity seeking group. The Tier 1 CRC in Ocean Data Analytics will be a tenure-track or tenured position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor (commensurate with experience) with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. The ideal candidate will lead groundbreaking research in Ocean Data Analytics, leveraging their fundamental expertise in artificial intelligence to address global challenges through the innovative use of ocean data. However, candidates with expertise in AI and interest in broader scopes of ocean data (e.g., fisheries, coastal-community impacts, or AI and climate technology) are also highly encouraged to apply. Most importantly, the research focus of the new CRC must be centered on two of Dalhousie’s Strategic Research Clusters: AI and Digital Innovation and Sustainable Ocean.

The CRC program was established by the Canadian Federal Government with the purpose of attracting outstanding researchers to the Canadian university system. Tier 1 Chairs are intended for exceptional scholars acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. Please contact the research grants office and see the CRC website (www.chairs.gc.ca) for more information on eligibility.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in computer science or a related field, have a demonstrated capacity to lead an AI research program, and supervise graduate students in computer science. They will propose an innovative and original research program in Ocean Data Analytics, with potential applications to ocean industries and economic development, such as offshore wind, tidal energy, aquaculture, shipping, transportation, and tourism. The Chair is expected to develop a pioneering research agenda in collaboration with the Transforming Climate Action program, DeepSense as well as with industry and government initiatives. Specifically, the successful CRC will build and sustain collaborative partnerships with post-secondary institutions, provincial and federal governments, and key community partners in the oceans sector. The ideal candidate must have a proven ability to secure significant research funding and disseminate findings in impactful ways suitable to the discipline. They will engage in research leadership and promotion of interdisciplinary scholarship to create new opportunities and drive strategic directions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ocean data analytics. Additionally, the successful candidate will contribute to complementary research areas within the Faculty and University while teaching at a reduced course load.

Dalhousie is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. In keeping with the principles of employment equity and the CRC program’s equity targets, this position is designated to candidates who self-identify as a woman or member of another gender equity seeking group. All such qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie recognizes that candidates may self-identify in more than one equity-seeking group, and in this spirit, encourages applications from candidates who, in addition to belonging to the groups mentioned above, also identity as Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. (See www.dal.ca/becounted/selfid for definitions of the equity-deserving groups.)

About the opportunity

Dalhousie is the leading graduate and research university of Atlantic Canada, with more than 18,500 students, including 3500 in graduate programs, from 115 countries. Dalhousie secured more than $258 million in external research funding in 2023-24 with oceans and interdisciplinary AI-based research significantly contributing to its research revenue. Acceleration of research in the areas of oceans and artificial intelligence at Dalhousie and partners throughout Atlantic Canada provide an ideal environment for the successful candidate to effect change. Dalhousie is a world leader in oceans research (https://www.dal.ca/campaigns/ocean-impact.html), with organizations including the Ocean Tracking Network, the Ocean Frontier Institute, and the recently funded Transforming Climate Action program. With DeepSense and the Faculty of Computer Science, research in artificial intelligence is being applied to ocean sensing, marine biodiversity, and coastal climate impacts. Spanning all research Faculties and over 100 researchers, Dalhousie’s capacity in artificial intelligence is growing, including recruitment of the Tier 1 CRC in Ocean Data Analytics.

Dalhousie is in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, Canada (http://www.discoverhalifaxns.com). Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada and is a vibrant and multicultural spot that welcomes many newcomers. It is also a regional tech hub and affords residents a high quality of life. The city offers a wide variety of restaurants, parks, playgrounds, watersports in the summer, snow sports in the winter, a vast number of arts and cultural events, an excellent library system, and a passable public transit system. Nova Scotia is home to many beautiful communities, campgrounds, trails, lakes, rivers, beaches, lighthouses, and opportunities for running, hiking, cycling, ATVing, boating, and generally exploring the great outdoors. Located in one of Canada’s more temperate areas, Nova Scotia gets warm, sunny summers, long, colorful autumns, and cool, snowy winters.

Dalhousie is in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia), the major centre in the scenic Atlantic region and a city widely known for its high quality of life. Further information about the University can be obtained at https://www.dal.ca/.

Dalhousie University operates in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. These sovereign nations hold inherent rights as the original peoples of these lands, and we each carry collective obligations under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.