Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier I in Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems

Job title: Canada Research Chair Tier I in Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems
Position code: 23_C_CME_M
Date posted: October 31, 2023
Application deadline: March 15, 2024
Advertised until: Position is filled

Position description

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering seeks to appoint a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 1, a research-intensive faculty position, in Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems. We seek to recruit an outstanding researcher in the field of process systems engineering applied to sustainable energy systems. Of particular interest are systems combining the generation, use, and storage of renewable electricity, including units such as wind energy conversion systems, photovoltaics, electrochemical conversion processes, batteries (stationary and/or mobile), fuel cells, hydrogen storage, etc. Approaches may include process simulation, design, optimization, and integration; experimental testing and upscaling, and life cycle assessment. The position is at the level of full professor or associate professor who is expected to be promoted to full professor within one or two years of the nomination. The granting of tenure on appointment will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the CUFA collective agreement. Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and service to the institution. The candidate must have a superior track record of attracting, developing, and retaining excellent trainees, students, and future researchers.

Qualifications and assets

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field, with a PhD degree in a related field. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association, preferably in Quebec, is required. 

The main criteria for selection are scholarly and teaching excellence. The successful candidate is an outstanding and innovative world-class researcher whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields. They must have a well-established record of attracting major external funding and carrying out an independent research program leading to high-impact publications and/or commercial applications. Industry experience or applications of research to industry will be considered an asset. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to the supervision of master's and PhD students. 

Candidates eligible for Canada Tier I Research Chair positions must be outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. Nominees for Tier I Chair positions must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.

Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports the academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.        

How to apply

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements: 

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

or 

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Applications should be addressed to: Alex De Visscher, Professor and Chair (cme-chair@concordia.ca) and must include the following:

• a cover letter clearly identifying the title (Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems) and position code (23_C_CME_M), 

• a detailed curriculum vitae,

• a research statement with a detailed research plan that will form the basis of the Canada Research Chair nomination,

• the three most relevant papers published by the candidate,

• a teaching statement with a teaching vision and an indication of teaching interests,

• contact information for at least four referees.

Electronic applications should be submitted by March 15, 2024, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence on August 1, 2024, or shortly thereafter.

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society. 

Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to: 

• teaching about underrepresented populations 

• community-based research

• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds 

• offering or organizing educational programming 

• participation in training and workshops

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.

Adaptive Measures 

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Anna Barrafato, Accessibility Change Lead: anna.barrafato@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 3511.