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Brain-Heart Interconnectome
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This program is dedicated to attracting and retaining top talent dedicated to brain-heart research.

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Academic Recruitment Program

BHI Funding awardees 2024
See all Research
Foundation 1: Clinical/Epidemiology
Foundation 2: Basic Science/Discovery
Theme 1: Biomarkers & Imaging Tools
Theme 2: Therapeutics
Theme 3: Precision Prevention During the Lifespan
Theme 4: Innovative Health Systems & Tailored Models of Care
Transformational Platforms

Cross Cutting Themes

Academic Positions

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Women’s Heart-Brain Health

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025,

The University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Women’s Heart-Brain Health. The successful candidate will hold a clinical non-tenure track academic appointment with the Faculty of Medicine Department of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, with a clinical and scientific appointment at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). They will be a Core Academic Member of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI). The Chairholder will hold or will be eligible to hold a licence to practice medicine with the College of Physician and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Candidates must hold FRCPC certification in Cardiology or Internal Medicine (or equivalent specialty certification) and appropriate experience in women’s health.

Apply here.

The objective of the BHI Academic Recruitment Support Program is to support uOttawa faculties, affiliated research institutes and partner institutions – McGill University and University of Saskatchewan – to recruit top talent in brain-heart research aligned with priorities of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI). The program provides supplemental start-up funding and short-term salary support to new academic recruits to uOttawa, affiliated research institutes and BHI partner institutions.

The Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) program is the first dedicated research program that aims to bring together multiple, diverse disciplines to catalyze a new transdisciplinary approach to studying, preventing and treating brain-heart (B-H) disorders. The BHI program was made possible with support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research(CIHR). Consistent with CFREF objectives, BHI supports the full range of research, from fundamental to applied, and encourages transformative collaborations among researchers from health sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering and natural sciences. It fosters community, provincial, national and international partnerships across academic, private and not for profit sectors to deliver research leading to important social and economic benefits for Canada. The BHI vision is for uOttawa and its partners to become the global leaders in advancing mission-driven integrated B-H research including research focused on biomedical discoveries, clinical interventions, service delivery models, community prevention approaches and understanding and addressing the systemic and unequal distribution of B-H disease burden among populations to improve health equity.

Please see the BHI website for further information on the BHI and its Foundations, Themes and Cross-Cutting Themes.

The BHI anticipates investing over $7 million over seven years to support the recruitment of approximately 25 academic experts in brain-heart research into the BHI network. The BHI will provide supplemental start-up funding to complement start-up packages provided by the hiring institution(s) as well as short-term salary support for eligible candidates. BHI funding available per new academic recruit includes:

Supplemental Start-up Funds:
• Up to $200,000 over 2 years for new PhD recruits
• Up to $100,000 over 2 years for new clinical recruits

Salary:
• Up to 1 year of salary support (maximum of $120,000 plus 26% benefits) for new tenured or tenure-track faculty (see Eligible Expenses for further details).

•    Eligible institutions include: all University of Ottawa faculties, University of Ottawa affiliated research institutes; McGill University and University of Saskatchewan.
•    The hiring institution(s) must make a long-term commitment to the new recruit (minimum of 5 years) to be eligible for BHI funding.
•    The research program of the candidate must: include a significant focus on the interconnections between brain and heart health; be relevant to one or more of the identified research areas; and incorporate the principles of research co-production (including Indigenous and patient engagement) and IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Social Justice), as appropriate.

Mechanistic interaction between brain-heart and early detection innovations
•    Cardiovascular links to neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on cognitive health & dementia, microvasculature mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and/or neurodevelopment.
•    Mechanistic interactions between the brain and the heart through the lens of neuroimmunology or mental health, for example.
•    Technology innovation for the early detection of heart and brain conditions through biomarker discovery, predictive modeling, and novel screening tools.
•    Advancing mental health research with a focus on the role of youth mental health as a predictor of cardiovascular disease later in life and engaging expertise from psychiatry and psychology.
•    Addressing modifiable risk factors including social determinants of health and interpersonal and behavioural factors that influence interconnected brain-heart health outcomes.

Health Policy and Health System Innovation
• Health, economic and/or social policies at the local, provincial, national and/or international level to accelerate the advancement of brain-heart technologies or improve health and quality of live for people living with or at risk of interconnected brain-heart conditions.
• Innovations in health or social systems and programs to address priorities of communities, governments and other service providers and the spread and scale-up of these innovations.

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
•    Computational neuroscience and neuro-AI to model and predict the evolution of brain-heart conditions.
•    Identifying, assessing and addressing modifiable risk factors for brain-heart conditions, including social-determinants of health, using big data analysis.
•    Analysis and integration of genomics, proteomics and multi-omics data.

The BHI must be contacted early in the recruitment process and have the opportunity to provide feedback on the job posting.
The BHI must have the opportunity for representation on the recruitment committee.
BHI start-up funding must be supplemental to the start-up package provided by the hiring institution(s).
Good practice in relation to equity, diversity and inclusion in academic recruitment must be followed to ensure an open, transparent and unbiased process and a diverse and high-caliber pool of candidates.
The candidate must be willing to be a Core Academic Member of the BHI and to complete the associated training requirements.
The candidate and hiring institution(s) must contribute to performance and financial reporting as requested by the BHI.

All expenses must adhere to the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) Administration Guide.

Supplemental Start-up Funds: Eligible expenses include direct research costs, such as salary and benefits for research personnel, compensation of patient and knowledge user partners, supplies, travel, small equipment, computers, and services. Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to capital equipment, renovation/construction of lab facilities and immigration-related fees.

Salary: Tenured or tenure-track faculty members recruited in the context of BHI are only eligible for salary support if they do not hold a federal research funding agency operating grant as Nominated Principal Investigator. Should a faculty member whose salary is paid by BHI funds become the grant holder on a federal research funding agency operating grant, they are no longer eligible for salary support from BHI.

Recruitment is led by the relevant Dean or institutional official in close collaboration with the BHI. The BHI Senior Director, in consultation with the Co-Scientific Directors, approves the recruitment process and job posting on behalf of the BHI.
Candidate selection criteria may vary based on the hiring institution. The BHI Executive Committee will review applications for recommended candidates and make the final decision on BHI funding based on the following criteria:
•    Relevance of research program to joint brain-heart research and the BHI scientific strategy
•    Commitment to research co-production and IDEAS
•    Budget justification

For information on the application process or other inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Bioactive Nutrients to support the Gut-Heart-Brain Axis

Application Deadline: March 22, 2025

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa invites highly qualified candidates to submit their dossier for consideration for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Bioactive Nutrients to support the Gut-Heart-Brain Axis. The Chairholder will be appointed within the School of Nutrition Sciences which offers 2 programs in ‘Food Sciences’ and in ‘Nutrition and Dietetics’. The ideal candidate will be an emerging leader in the study of bioactive nutrients, focusing on their bioavailability and functionality, and how they affect the dynamic interactions between the digestive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, ultimately influencing brain and heart health. The candidate will also be a member of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI).

Apply here.

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Health Economics

Application Deadline: March 7, 2025

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) invite applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Health Economics. The successful candidate will be a Scientist or Senior Scientist in the OHRI’s Methodological and Implementation Research program and hold an academic appointment with the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine’s School of Epidemiology and Public Health.

Apply here.

Call for applications: Clinical Research Chair ISM- Brain-Heart Interconnectome

Application Deadline: April 10, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Position: 5 year Chair for a Clinician-researcher for salary support of $100 000/yr

$100 000 one-time research start-up funds
$10 000/yr bursary for student affiliated with Chair

Affiliation: Clinical privileges at Montfort and primary affiliation with the Institut du Savoir Montfort as well as Core Academic Member of the BHI

The focus of the Research Chair’s work will be to advance the scientific understanding of the brain-heart interconnectome, with alignment with one or more key research areas aligned with the BHI’s core objectives and the ISM’s strategic plan.

Read more here.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis

Application Deadline: April 12, 2025

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa and the affiliated Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) invite applications for a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 position in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis, to investigate the role of the brain-heart axis in neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, or mental illness.

Apply here.

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Brain-Heart Data Analytics and Predictive Modelling

Application Deadline: May 7, 2025

The University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Brain-Heart Data Analytics and Predictive Modelling. The successful candidate will hold a non-tenure track position with the Faculty of Medicine in the School of Epidemiology & Public Health, as well as a Scientific appointment at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI).

Apply here.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Health Policy

Application Deadline: May 18, 2025

The Telfer School of Management (Telfer) at the University of Ottawa is proud to collaborate with the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) in the joint recruitment of a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Health Policy.

Apply here.

The 2025 Community-Based Research (CBR) Grants

Application Deadline: June 20, 2025

Community-based research is a participatory, emancipatory, and transformative approach that brings together academic and community partners to conduct research and address real-world challenges. This initiative fosters equitable partnerships between uOttawa researchers and community-based organizations that work with equity-deserving or marginalized groups.

This funding opportunity is a collaborative effort of the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) and the following uOttawa partners: Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI), Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL), Office of Public Policy Research and Outreach (OPPRO), and the Office of Social Accountability (OSA) at the Faculty of Medicine.

Find all the details on the 2025 CBR Grants and how to submit your application here.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology

Application Deadline: June 22, 2025

The University of Ottawainvites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology. The successful candidate will hold a tenure-track position with the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and be a Core Academic Member of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI). Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of the nation’s capital and in close proximity to multiple national agencies, the University of Ottawa is one of Canada's top ten research-intensive universities. It is recognised as the first and largest bilingual university in North America and offers strong connections to organisational, government and policy interest holders.

Apply here.

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) – Multiple Disciplines

Application Deadline: July 07, 2025

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is seeking top-tier scholars for the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs initiative.

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is Canada’s most prestigious Research Chair initiative. The program is designed to attract the top tier of world-class researchers and their teams to launch ambitious research programs at Canadian universities, with the goal to advance the Government of Canada’s science, technology and innovation priorities.

The CERC recruitment process consists of two stages. Initially, candidates apply to an open job posting at uOttawa. The successful candidate will then work with the uOttawa to co-develop an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to a CERC university position is contingent upon receiving a CERC award. CERC awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award. The term is for eight years, with funding of either $8 million or $4 million over the duration.

Apply Here.

Scientist in Digital Health Technology Specializing in Neuroimaging, EEG, fNIR, ECG, Actigraphy

Application Deadline: July 31st, 2025

The Cheo Research Institute is inviting applications for a full-time early career Ph.D. Scientist, specializing in Neuroimaging, Electroencephalography (EEG), functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIR), Electrocardiography (ECG), and actigraphy. The purpose of this position is to develop an independent research program that will investigate brain-heart connections in children and youth as they pertain to mental health disorders. The goal is to develop neuroimaging and cardiovascular system biomarkers of mental health problems to advance precision mental healthcare for this population. The successful candidate will conduct work under the auspices of the CHEO RI Precision Child and Youth Mental Health Collaboratory and the University of Ottawa Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI).

Learn more here.

Scientist in Genomics and Clinical Bioinformatics of Brain, Heart and Skeletal Muscle Diseases

Application Deadline: July 31st, 2025

The Cheo Research Institute is inviting applications for an early-career PhD full-time Scientist who demonstrates research excellence and productivity in genomics and clinical bioinformatics related to rare, genetic diseases of the brain, heart and skeletal muscle. The goal of the position is to create an independent research program focused on genomic and bioinformatic approaches and genotype-phenotype correlation for rare genetic diseases affecting these interconnected organ systems, in association with the Brain-Heart Interconnectome, the uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, and the Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases.

Learn more here.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis

Application Deadline: August 6, 2025

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa and the affiliated Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) invites applications for a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 position in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis, to investigate the role of the brain-heart axis in neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, or mental illness in animal models.

Apply here.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Vascular Dementia

Application Deadline: August 6, 2025

The University of Ottawa and Bruyère Health Research Institute invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Vascular Dementia.

We are interested in attracting early-career candidates with demonstrated strengths and recognition in vascular cognitive impairment. The candidate will have a strong understanding of cerebrovascular disease mechanisms, small vessel disease, stroke-related dementia, and neurovascular disfunction. Research expertise in healthy brain aging and dementia prevention is highly valued, including for example, the relationship of cerebrovascular disease on the development of cognitive impairment and the impact of vascular risk factor identification and management on reducing the risk of cognitive decline. The candidate will be a team builder with strong potential to develop and foster local, pan Canadian and international collaborations. They will also be committed to training the next generation of researchers and using a research co-production approach involving patients and other users.

Apply Here.

Other opportunities

Impact Grants Program

The objective of this program is to accelerate brain–heart (B–H) research that has the potential to quickly deliver important and timely outcomes, and contribute to sustainable long-term health, societal and/or economic impacts that are equitable in their process and impact.

BHI Scholarship Program

This funding opportunity aims to attract and support outstanding graduate-level trainees whose research advances the goals of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) initiative.

Contact Us

Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI)

555 King Edward Avenue

Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7N5

If you have questions, please contact: [email protected]

Academic Recruitment Program

Academic Positions

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Women’s Heart-Brain Health

BHI Academic Recruitment Support Program arrow_drop_down

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Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Bioactive Nutrients to support the Gut-Heart-Brain Axis

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Health Economics

Call for applications: Clinical Research Chair ISM- Brain-Heart Interconnectome

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Brain-Heart Data Analytics and Predictive Modelling

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Health Policy

The 2025 Community-Based Research (CBR) Grants

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrative Multi-Omics and Biomedical Systems Biology

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) – Multiple Disciplines

Scientist in Digital Health Technology Specializing in Neuroimaging, EEG, fNIR, ECG, Actigraphy

Scientist in Genomics and Clinical Bioinformatics of Brain, Heart and Skeletal Muscle Diseases

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Animal Behavioural Neuroscience and the Brain-Heart Axis

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Vascular Dementia

Other opportunities

Contact Us

Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI)