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Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Artificial Intelligence and the Arts

Université York

School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Date Posted: October 7, 2026

Application Deadline: November 18, 2026

The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University invites highly qualified applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Arts. This is an open tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will be appointed to a home department best suited to their research and teaching (Department of Computational Arts, Department of Film & Media Arts, Department of Visual Art & Art History, Department of Theatre, Dance & Performance, Department of Music, Department of Design) or joint appointment across two units.

Through a combined engagement with creative practice, ethical frameworks, and emerging technologies, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping how the Arts contribute to the development and critical examination of AI. The successful candidate will provide leadership in novel research creation that bridges Arts and STEM approaches and will deepen interdisciplinary synergies across AMPD while fostering collaboration with communities, creative industries, and national/international partners. The successful candidate will also be responsible for researching and developing courses on AI across the Arts.

The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their first independent academic research-related appointment (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3.Please see the CRC website http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ for further eligibility details.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of women and gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

In alignment with the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html, York University requires that Indigenous applicants provide supporting documentation to affirm their citizenship or membership to an Indigenous collective https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/directive-tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html#4.9. This policy ensures that positions and funding intended for the Indigenous chairs in the program benefit First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants. For more information regarding accepted supporting documentation, please consult the Directive on the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation https://www.canada.ca/en/research-coordinating-committee/programs/policies-directives/directive-tri-agency-policy-indigenous-citizenship-membership-affirmation.html. 

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. 

This position is intended to recruit external candidates to add to the University’s research strength in the areas identified in this ad. 

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/ program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship toward three main research goals: 1) to understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels, 2) predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective and 3) use these predictions to drive new research and technology development. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years (2023 – 2030). 

Candidate Qualifications: [1]

  • Degree: PhD or PhD equivalent such as an MFA/MA with a substantial record of professional experience, in a field relevant to creative activity in AI/emerging technologies by the appointment’s start is required. 
  • Creative Practice/Scholarship:
  • A coherent and well-articulated program of research, research creation and/or professional practice and specialization in AI and Arts in areas such as studio-based AI research, emerging technologies and AI, interactive and immersive media, emerging technologies and performance, artist-led machine learning, human-AI collaboration and creativity, community-engaged or ethical AI arts practices.
  • A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research, research creation and/or creative practice.

  • A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., statement and CV; publications; presentations in significant journals/venues in the field; presentations at major conferences/festivals; awards and accolades; strong recommendations from referees of high standing).

     

    • Teaching:
  • A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to undergraduate students (e.g., the teaching statement; teaching evaluations; and evidence of teaching accomplishments and pedagogical innovations including in high-priority areas such as experiential education, technology-enhanced learning and multi-platform approaches). 
  • A record or evident promise of engaging in curriculum design and development.
  • Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.

Hiring Policies:

  • The anticipated starting salary for this position at the rank of Assistant Professor is in the range of $130,000 to $160,000, at the rank of Associate Professor is in the range of $138,000 to $168,000, and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. York University offers generous benefits and salary provisions.  
  • All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
  • York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here https://www.yorku.ca/unit/vpf/affirmative-action-program/ or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager (aqsa517@yorku.ca). 
  • York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples of Canada will be given priority. 
  • York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/ and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Sharon Hayashi, AMPD Associate Dean, Research, aiarts-search@yorku.ca.

Application Process:

  • Due date for completed applications: November 18, 2026. 
  • Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) a letter of application covering areas of interest in research/professional practice, teaching, and university service; 3) a statement of research or professional practice; 4) link to a digital portfolio of recent work/research-creation/publications; 5) teaching statement and dossier (including teaching evaluations where applicable); 6) the names and contact information for three professional references. Reference letters will only be requested from shortlisted candidates. Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action at this link: YUWorkAA http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YUWorkAA.
  • Direct questions about the position to Sharon Hayashi, AMPD Associate Dean Research,  aiarts-search@yorku.ca.

Submit materials: to aiarts-search@yorku.ca, as a single PDF no larger than 20 MB.  

Learn More About York and the School:

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory. More than two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Today, York University campuses are located on the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13 lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the lands of the Anishinabek of the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our campuses are also situated on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.