This tenure-track position is for a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada Research Chair Tier II (degree since 2011, exceptions below) in Connected Digital Health to Transform Health-Equity among Marginalized Populations.
Position Description
The area of connected digital health is an emerging strength at Concordia and a key component to precision health by providing reliable, efficient, and accessible approaches to measure health-related psychophysiological processes and outcomes and to deliver services. This position is at the intersection of three domains: (i) digital health, (ii) marginalized populations, and (iii) psychophysiology.
Candidates who innovatively create and implement empirical, state-of-the-art digital health applications with marginalized populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Digital health applications using wearables (commercially available or user-developed), smartphones, remote sensing, or mobile apps should pertain to a quantifiable psychophysiological signal (e.g., brain activity EEG, heart activity EKG, muscle activity EMG, eye tracking, movement (accelerometry), facial expression (emotion), social interactions (proximity), or built environment interactions (GPS), among others). Research involving any marginalized populations will be considered. This could include, but is not limited to: homeless individuals, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees, ethnoracial minorities, sexual and gender minorities, people living in poverty, or those living with mental illnesses, chronic diseases, or disabling conditions. Health applications are broadly defined and may target assessment, intervention, or prevention (primary to tertiary) at the individual- or population-level.
Possible wide-ranging health research areas could include: homeless youth access to mental health services (GPS & remote intervention); substance use in Indigenous populations (social networks analysis); adolescent suicide prevention in First Nations; concussion (helmet impact detection & psychological sequelae); PTSD (remote service delivery for flood victims); migraine and tension headaches (thermal and muscle biofeedback); sleep disorders (chronobiology with wearables); employee workplace stress and wellbeing (haptic feedback in response to group heart rate); autism (video screening for diagnostic risk); stress disorders (mindfulness meditation; neurobiofeedback); obesity (activity/dietary self-monitoring, environmental scans); communication (language facilitation; real-time translation for language minorities); vision impairments (eye movement, oculomotor performance); driver road aggression (heart rate variability in steering wheels), among many others.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD, or doctoral equivalent. Priority will be given to applicants who have interdisciplinary training in digital health, physiological psychology, human factors, health data science, digital user interfaces, computational design, behavioral medicine, and/or applied biomedical engineering. Applicants are expected to have the ability to establish a strong research program to pioneer the integration of digital health, marginalized populations, and psychophysiology. Any research plans for integrative community research will be expected to complement experimental work. Preferred applicants will have an established track record in the application of digital health technology to advance the health and well-being of marginalized populations, and thereby, reduce health inequalities and systemic racism within healthcare. Applicants should have a strong interest and commitment to contributing to graduate and undergraduate teaching and training. The position is anticipated to be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor.
CIHR Canada Research Chair Eligibility
Candidates eligible for Tier II Chair positions must be excellent emerging scholars within 10 years (since 2011) of their highest degree at the time of nomination (exclusive of career interruptions). Potential Tier II candidates who are more than 10 years from the highest degree should take note that certain career interruptions may still make them eligible for nomination. Potential candidates are encouraged to submit a formal justification by means of the Tier II Justification Assessment Form, which will be considered in the review of applications. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and acceptable justifications to the extension of eligibility term. (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature- eng.aspx#s2).
Notwithstanding the above and irrespective of their submission of a formal justification, candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (e.g., decision to have a family; eldercare; illness) in their application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process.
How to Apply
Complete applications should include:
i. Cover letter
Cover letter should describe qualifications, notable accomplishments, and career trajectory (including any interruptions). Cover letter must clearly identify the title and position code (21_C_PSYC_O).
ii. Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae should outline education/work history, awards/scholarships, research funding, publications/presentations, and courses taught.
iii. Research Statement (2 pgs, single-spaced max)
Research Statement should describe programme of research on digital heath technology, measurement of psychophysiological signals, and the three most important research contributions to date. A substantial component of the candidates research program should focus (current or future) on digital health technology that enriches the health and well-being of persons who are disadvantaged or have experiences of systemic bias or marginalization.
iv. Teaching Statement (1 pg, single-spaced max)
Teaching Statement should describe teaching philosophy and courses interested in teaching. Documents showcasing teaching effectiveness may be appended (including, but not limited to, course evaluations).
v. Diversity Statement (1 pg, single-spaced max)
Diversity Statement should describe diversity experiences and how the candidate plans to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive research and teaching environment.
vi. Citizenship Information
Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of citizenship/residency (Canadian or foreign citizenship, or Canadian permanent resident, if applicable)
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applications must include one of the following statements: Yes, I am a citizen/permanent resident of Canada. OR No, I am not a citizen/permanent resident of Canada.
vii. Contact Information for three (3) Referees
Referees of long-listed candidates will be contacted directly for letters of reference. Verify accuracy and completeness of referee contact information (email, phone).
Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.
Applications should be addressed to: Dr. Aaron Johnson, Chair, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St West, PY146, Montreal, Quebec, H4B 1R6, Canada, at psychology@concordia.ca and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (21_C_PSYC_O). Electronic applications should be submitted by November 1, 2021, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence on August 1, 2022.
Academic Community
Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next-Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their application how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society. These ongoing (or anticipated) examples can include, but are not limited to: teaching about underrepresented populations; mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds; committee work; offering or organizing educational programming; and participation in training and workshops.
All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with the hiring committee. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter, or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.
Adaptive Measures
Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Nadia Hardy, Interim Deputy Provost and Vice-Provost, Faculty Development and Inclusion at vpfdi@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 4323.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Department, the Faculty of Arts and Science, Concordia, Montreal, as well as the Territorial Acknowledgement, Employment Equity, and Immigration Status can be found at: https://www.concordia.ca/artsci/about/jobs/canada-research-chairs/crc-tier-ii-digital-health-marginalized-populations.html