Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader

About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting internationally based Early Career Researchers to Canada. Emerging Leaders will receive research funding and institutional support to advance transformative research in Canada's strategic priority areas, build partnerships across sectors and borders, and translate their research into applications and impacts that benefit Canadians and the world.

The Hospital for Sick Children invites applications for a full-time Scientist (or clinician-scientist) position to advance transformational research projects that support the growth of the Canadian economy in the strategic priority area of Health, including biotechnology.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children, an independent faculty position equivalent to a tenure-track appointment, with an anticipated start date prior to October 1^st, 2027. The position is expected to include a cross-appointment to an appropriate University of Toronto department. The successful candidate will be expected to mount an innovative, competitive and independently funded research program that is transformational, translational and garners partners. They will contribute to The Hospital for Sick Children's collaborative research environment and have opportunities to develop impactful collaborations.

Emerging Leaders Awards are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. The term is six years, with the possibility of extension for another six years. Candidates must be within five years (minus eligible delays) of the start date of their first research-related appointment, defined as an appointment where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently. Eligible delays in research (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) are credited as twice the duration of leave time taken. Professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not eligible.

Only candidates who were working and residing outside of Canada, on October 15^th, 2026, are eligible.

The Hospital for Sick Children requires that candidates must have a Ph. D, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree (an institutional requirement, not a requirement of the program), with a demonstrated record of excellence in research as evidenced by publications, presentations, awards and distinctions. Candidates should also demonstrate evidence of research independence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the potential to secure competitive external funding. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and lead an independent program of research, and seek collaborations with, but not limited to, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Translating Novel Therapies and Biomarkers to the Paediatric Oncology Clinic, to generate translation and impacts, and contribute to The Hospital for Sick Children's research environment.

SickKids has been named by Newsweek as the best children's health-care center in the world for 2026 and 2027, topping the list of 250 children's hospitals globally. The SickKids Research Institute is Canada's largest, hospital-based child health research institute and our commitment is to improve the health of children, here in Canada and in the global community. The position is expected to include a cross appointment at the University of Toronto (UofT), offering a unique environment for health science discoveries, with nine teaching and research hospitals in close proximity.

The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All qualified applicants should email their application to [email protected] by November 30^th, 2026. Application materials should include CV, 3-5 page research plan, 1 page equity, diversity and inclusion statement, and 3 names of references that may be contacted for a letter of support. Please consolidate all materials into a single PDF file and include your full name in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately. The Hospital for Sick Children recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions due to personal circumstances can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Search committee members have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, career interruptions in their assessments.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Belinda Potter at [email protected]. All application materials must be submitted through this email.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

SickKids is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons, persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal Peoples of North America, persons with disability, 2SLGBTQIA+persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. If requested, SickKids makes available accommodations to support applicants with disabilities during the interview and assessment process. Informed by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and our Access and Accommodation Policy, we will accommodate the needs of applicants. Please contact Natalia Kaniuk by email [email protected] of your accessibility needs during the recruitment process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. The Hospital for Sick Children also recognizes that scholars have varying career paths. Candidates are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances to allow for a fair assessment of their application.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a brief voluntary diversity survey. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by either the search committee or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. The self-identification information is collected, used, disclosed, retained and disposed of in accordance with the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.

Posted on October 28^th, 2026.

Our Commitment to Diversity

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

Accessibility & Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

How To Apply

Technical difficulties? Email [email protected] with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.

Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application.

Every application is reviewed by a human recruiter and all hiring decisions are made by people. In some cases, AI-assisted tools are used to help review applications based on job-related qualifications.

All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.