Shannex Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging

Université Dalhousie

The Faculties of Health and Computer Science at Dalhousie University invite applications for the Shannex Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging. The Shannex Research Chair will be a tenured position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor (commensurate with experience) jointly appointed to the Faculties of Health and Computer Science, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. The successful candidate will be an outstanding and innovative researcher who leads an internationally recognized research program that deploys machine learning solutions to health and healthcare related applications that focus on healthy aging. The successful applicant’s research program will crosscut the priority area ‘Body function and mobility across the health continuum’ in the Faculty of Health and ‘AI and Machine Learning’ in the Faculty of Computer Science and align with ‘Healthy People, Communities, & Populations’ and ‘AI & Digital Innovation’, two of Dalhousie’s six Strategic Research Clusters.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in a related discipline, have a proven capacity to obtain external research funding, and have a record of supervising high quality graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Evidence of successful knowledge translation appropriate for the field of study is also required. The successful candidate will have a prominent national and international reputation executing an applied program of research that develops artificial intelligence-based interventions for deployment in healthcare especially, but not limited to, a focus on frailty, healthy aging, chronic and complex care, and clinical aspects of physical activity, sedentary behaviours, exercise, mobility, and other health-related and frailty markers. They will be a leader in pioneering digital interventions, demonstrating an ability to bridge the gap between research and practical application to apply artificial intelligence to healthcare. The successful candidate will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community, post-secondary institutions, and other stakeholders in the health sector including provincial health authorities and providers of long-term care services in the province. The partnership of this Chair with the seniors’ living sector provides a unique opportunity to utilize their assets to take a data-driven approach to optimize care delivery, enhance resident experience, and drive sustained improvements in long-term care and for seniors across the continuum. The successful candidate will provide research leadership and promote interdisciplinary scholarship to create new opportunities and drive strategic directions at the intersection of health and computer science. The successful candidate will contribute to complementary areas of research within the University and may contribute to teaching at a reduced course load.

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 health- and interdisciplinary AI-based research significantly contributing to its research revenue. Acceleration of research in the areas of healthy aging, frailty and artificial intelligence at Dalhousie and partners throughout Atlantic Canada provide an ideal environment for the successful candidate to effect change. Dalhousie ranks as the #1 institution worldwide in frailty, with the top two researchers in the field worldwide. Research in aging and frailty spans six Faculties at Dalhousie, with more than 75 researchers actively engaged. Opening in Fall 2025, the nearly 5000ft2 Healthy Aging and Frailty Research Hub provides a state-of-the-art facility for the study of aging and frailty. Led by the Institute for Big Data Analytics, research in artificial intelligence is being applied from oceans to healthcare to impact on some of society’s biggest problems. Spanning all research Faculties and over 100 researchers, Dalhousie’s capacity in artificial intelligence is growing, including recruitment of a CIHR Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging that will be recruited in concert with the Shannex Research Chair.

The Shannex Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging was established through a gift from Shannex Incorporated (shannex.com) in partnership with the Faculties of Health and Computer Science. Shannex’s operations in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provide a full continuum of services including home care, retirement living, assisted living, memory care and long-term care. By providing the best care and service excellence to people as they age, Shannex leads the way to better living for individuals and our communities.

Dalhousie is in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), 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 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.

Submissions received on or before December 13th will be granted full consideration. Applications should be made by submission of a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a three-page summary of the candidate’s research program, a one-page statement of teaching interests and philosophy, and the names and contact information of three referees. All applications are to be made through the following link: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/17705.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

This position is a part of the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) Bargaining Unit.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.