Job Description

The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo is seeking an exceptional scholar and researcher to internally fill a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in the area of Bionanotechnology and Biosensors. CRCs are established by the Government of Canada to enable Canadian universities to foster research excellence (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca). The anticipated start date is May 1, 2024.

We invite applications from candidates within the Department of Chemistry with a PhD degree or equivalent in a field related to the development of bionanotechnology, functional nucleic acids and biosensors, who should be at the rank of Full Professor. The candidate will propose an innovative high-quality research program that will attract external funding and excellent, well-qualified and diverse graduate students and researchers in these areas. An excellent track record of an innovative research program, with emphasis on bioanalytical chemistry, bio/nano interfaces, water and environmental monitoring is required. A successful record of Tri-Agency research funding, or equivalent, and the ability and desire to partner with faculty in closely related fields are required. To address legal requirements for supporting underrepresented groups in the CRC program, eligible candidates for this search are required to identify as a member of a racialized group.

Duties include research, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, service to the unit, and the supervision of graduate students. Experience developing an array of traditional and on-line courses for a diverse student body is required. The successful candidate will have a reduced teaching load during the term of the CRC.

The successful candidate will be nominated subsequently for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. Nominations for Canada Research Chairs (CRC) are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat and appointment as a CRC is conditional on their approval (see the CRC terms of reference). The University of Waterloo is committed to providing the candidate with support to secure the CRC.

To meet the criteria for a Tier 1 CRC, successful candidates must be outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields and be recognized internationally as leaders in their fields. They must also have superior records of attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account different practices in the relevant field or discipline) and, as chairholders, be expected to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and be proposing an original, innovative research program of the highest quality.

The University of Waterloo understands the impact that legitimate career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and encourages potential candidates to explain in their application the impact this may have on their record; this information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Please consult the CRC website and the Office of Research for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.

Applications received by May 31, 2023 will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Applications must include the following:

• Cover letter (addressed to Prof. John F. Corrigan, Chair, Department of Chemistry)

• Research Statement: current program and future plans (no more than 3 pages)

• Teaching Statement: curriculum development, student recruitment, and training (no more than 2 pages)

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement (no more than 1 page) that describes the applicant’s past experience with attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment.

• Full CV • Up to 5 samples of recent research publications

• The names, affiliations, and the institutional email addresses of three references

Completed applications are to be uploaded to the following website: https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/. Applicant references will be invited directly by email from our system to upload letters via a provided link.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and gender minorities and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

However, this particular selection process will follow the provisions for a special program as described by the Ontario Human Rights Commission in order to address the underrepresentation of individuals from equity- seeking groups among our Canada Research Chairs, which has been identified through research (Canadian Association of University Teachers, 2018; Council of Canadian Academies, 2012; Henry et al., 2017; and Witteman, Hendricks, Straus, & Tannenbaum, 2019) to be systemic in nature. As such, this opportunity is open only to individuals who self-identify as a racialized individual. Improving the representation, participation and engagement of equity-seeking groups within our community is a key objective of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

All applicants to this CRC opportunity are required to self-identify using the self-identification applicant survey at https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08RcdJzz6YAh4TX. Because this is a special opportunity for a specific member of the four designated groups, applicant self-identification information will be used for the purposes of screening and consideration. Please note that this information will be securely accessed only by members of a central selection committee and, for nominees selected, for the fulfillment of CRC program purposes(s) detailed at: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/index-eng.aspx. 

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Occupational Health   (occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca or Karen at extension 40538); who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded and confidentiality is maintained.

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, eligibility, or the CRC program, please contact Professor John Corrigan, Chair of Chemistry, (john.corrigan@uwaterloo.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples.  Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (http://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity- inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.