INFORMS Open Forum

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) is a newly endowed School that aims to be the world's premier institution dedicated to the future of retail. It is a part of McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, which has 80+ tenured/tenure-track professors and 105+ full- time academic staff, several of whom are interested in retail management-oriented research. BSRM plans to offer academic programs at all levels-Bachelor, Masters, PhD and Executive, as well to develop and leverage close connections with industry partners from all over the world. The School is also mandated to perform cutting-edge, integrative research that builds on expertise from across the Faculty, as well as from other parts of the University, such as Neuroscience, Computer Science, Public Health, Architecture, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Sustainability and Public Policy. Indeed, McGill is well-known for its research related to Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence with important applications in the area of retailing. The School defines retail in the broader sense of the term and considers related industries such as payment services, delivery and logistics to be an integral part of its mandate. The School will initially focus on three sectors of interest: Food, Health & Wellness, Fashion & Beauty and Financial Services.

The Bensadoun School of Retail management is seeking a highly qualified, world-class academic with an interest in retailing to lead the research initiatives of the School. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong willingness and interest in fostering research in any discipline that pertains to the broader definition of retail. The Chair must develop a strong research culture by building relationships across Desautels' various areas, McGill's multiple departments outside Management, with leading academic institutions around the world and with industry partners. As the School establishes itself, the Chair will be called upon to take part in hiring a team of academics and students to support its research endeavours and teaching objectives.

The successful candidate must be a tenured Full Professor in a world-class university in any field of management (i.e. Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, and Strategy) or a related field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, NeuroScience, Sociology, Urban Planning). The applicant must be a recognized world-class expert – both research and teaching wise – in aspects related to any facet of retailing (defined in its broadest sense), including topics such as online retailing, omni-channel retailing, retail pricing, etc. The appointed individual will be expected to collaborate with industry practitioners and policy makers to tackle some of the challenges faced by the retail sector, including digitization, competition and globalization. Moreover, we are also interested in understanding how the retail sector can be used to address the grand challenges facing the world and enable sustainable consumption and healthier societies. Note that this Chair position possibly might also be eligible for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair.

Applicants who meet the criteria above, please forward a signed letter of interest, C.V., Service Statement and names of three (3) referees to:

Professor Saibal Ray, Chair, Search Committee
Bensadoun School of Retail Management McGill University
c/o: bsrm@mcgill.ca

The position will remain open until it is successfully filled.

McGill University is located in downtown Montreal, which consistently ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world. Offering a unique blend of North American and European culture, Montreal is renowned for its diversity, and has emerged, over recent years, as one of the most vibrant hubs for technological innovation.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome 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 productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.