Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Computational Social Science, AI, and Democracy

​Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.

If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).

The Department of Political Science, the Max Bell School of Public Policy, and the School of Computer Science at McGill University invite applications for the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Computational Social Science, AI, and Democracy

McGill University is seeking applicants for a nomination to a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in the area of Computational Social Science, AI, and Democracy. The CERC program supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program supports world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. These awards are among the most prestigious and generous available globally. 

Following a highly competitive and rigorous selection process involving peer review, CERCs are appointed for a period of eight years in values of $8 million or $4 million (over the entire award period).  These awards are not renewable.  The two award values recognize the varying costs of research across different research disciplines and aim to be inclusive of diverse areas of research. Accepted CERC chairholders are McGill professors during and after the award period. 

Conditional on the approval of the nominee by CERC, the ideal CERC Chairholder will be appointed as a tenured Associate or Full Professor at the Department of Political Science, with potential cross-appointments in the Max Bell School of Public Policy and the School of Computer Science. The candidate for the CERC in Computational Social Science, AI, and Democracy is expected to be a leader in exploring the complex interactions between digital media systems, democratic participation and governance, artificial intelligence, and the proliferation of misinformation. This interdisciplinary role will focus on how digital media — including AI-driven technologies and social media platforms — are reshaping public discourse and engagement as well as democratic accountability. This position will combine the analytical power of data science and algorithmic research with the fields of democratic theory, political science, and public policy.

Ideally, the candidate has expertise and interest in innovative research using computational methods such as machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), multi-modal large language model algorithms (LLMs), network analysis, and/or data mining to study the influence of digital media and AI technologies on democratic engagement and governance, for example on  fair elections, social mobilization, and the spread of uncivil discourse and information manipulation. The candidate could contribute to the theorizing on the ethical and political implications of AI technologies, for example involving transparency, democratic accountability, and the protection of democratic values. Ideally, the selected candidate runs a lab or research group affiliated with the chair. The Chairholder may serve as the focal point between the Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship (CSDC), the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, and the Media Ecosystem Observatory, at McGill University.

Applicants from the academic sector must currently be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to Full Professor within 2 years. Applicants from outside academia should have qualifications and a track record that will enable them to be appointed at the level of Full Professor within 2 years. As per McGill University requirements, successful applicants will have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a foundational principle in the CERC program. To achieve its research excellence-based objectives and outcomes, the program requires the participation and contributions of students, trainees, and researchers from underrepresented groups. These groups include, but are not limited to, racialized minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from LGBTQ2+ communities.

The CERC nominee will thus be expected to possess the skills needed to recruit, teach, and mentor a diverse group of researchers and trainees, reflecting McGill’s commitments to equity and diversity as set out in core institutional documents including McGill’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan, Taskforce on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education,  Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, and McGill Accessibility Strategy.  

We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. 

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. CERC guidelines state that researchers who are currently at another Canadian institution are eligible as candidates if there is demonstrable net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another. Enquiries from potential applicants are welcome and will be treated in strict confidence. Enquiries can be directed to Prof. Dietlind Stolle – dietlind.stolle@mcgill.ca.

Applications must be submitted on-line through Workday. Use a personal email address when creating an account in Workday. Applications should include (i) a cover letter describing their research program, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) a teaching statement, (iv) names and contact information of 3 references. 

Please submit your application within 30 days of this publication date (June 24, 2025).

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, Judy Dear (judy.dear@mcgill.ca).