Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Social and Cultural Decision Making in Engineerin...

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Social and Cultural Decision Making in Engineering Design

The College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Social and Cultural Decision Making in Engineering Design. The Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program is the flagship of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development (http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca)/).

The College of Engineering (https://engineering.usask.ca/) is committed to enhancing its research capacity in human-centered, community-based, and sustainable engineering design. The growing recognition of the impacts of engineering on social and cultural health necessitates new approaches to engineering design. This Chair will complement existing activities at the University in the areas of environment and sustainability, public health, public policy and Indigenous reconciliation.  The Chair will play an important role in building University partnerships with Indigenous communities and attracting Indigenous students to engineering. More detail on the theme of this Chair can be found here: CRC Theme.

Applications are welcome from all relevant areas of design science including engineering, architecture, urban planning, and the social sciences. We seek expertise that complements our existing strengths and this appointment will be made in a College of Engineering department most appropriate to the successful candidate’s research focus. The successful candidate will initiate, lead, and collaborate in research activities, supervise graduate students, compete successfully for external research funding, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and undertake relevant administrative activities.

The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities. Its main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River known for its quality of life, diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 24,000.

Minimum Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and leadership in research.

The successful candidate must possess a PhD degree in a related area to the theme. Candidates must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.

Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars with less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process.  Please contact the Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) unit for more information (sri.support@usask.ca).

Candidates must also have state-of-the-art research experience in design science.  Research impact must be demonstrated through avenues such as quality publications in peer-reviewed venues in a field relevant to the focus of the Chair and/or other similar documentation that demonstrates the impact of the candidate’s research.  Demonstrated capability as an instructor in either formal or informal settings is also expected.

Ideal Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a PhD degree in a field directly relevant to the focus of the Chair.  The successful candidate will be currently registered as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), or Engineer In Training (EIT) in Canada, or be qualified to successfully pursue professional registration with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) or a governing body related to their field.  A strong candidate will provide evidence of a strong research program with robust graduate student mentorship and strong prospects for financial support will be advantages. Experience collaborating across multiple research groups and across institutions will lead to success in this new role. Demonstrated capability in teaching of undergraduate and/or graduate university courses, development of new courses, and formal professional development and/or certification in teaching and/or pedagogy will be assets. Given the focus of the Chair, experience working with northern communities and/or Indigenous Peoples is desirable. Candidates who contribute to the diversity of the College’s faculty complement are especially sought.

About the Position

The successful applicant will be appointed as a as a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the College of Engineering and will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair.

Salary bands for this position are as follows: Assistant Professor: $93,293 to $112,109; Associate Professor: $112,109 to $130,925, with the possibility of merit-based additions.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their application using the College of Engineering’s applicant portal.  As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to complete a voluntary employment equity survey.  

The application materials must clearly indicate how the minimum qualifications have been met and should highlight any special experience that connects the candidate to the ideal qualifications.  Complete applications will include a curriculum vitae, a research statement noting the impact the candidate’s research has had in the field, a teaching statement, and the names and contact information of three references. 

Review of applications will begin in March 2019; however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2020.

The impact of leaves (e.g., parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record of research achievement. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted them.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting employees in need of accommodation in an employment context. For more information on the University of Saskatchewan’s accommodation policy, please contact Carine.Paley@usask.ca (306-966-8560).

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace and encourages applications from members of the four designated equity groups (women, members of a visible minority/racialized group, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities). All qualified candidates, Canadian and other nationalities are encouraged to apply. Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices and by the strong commitment to employment equity and diversity of the University of Saskatchewan and the College of Engineering.

For questions related to this position or the selection process, please contact Terrance Fonstad at engr.researchdean@usask.ca  or (306) 966-4768.

Date Posted: January 21, 2019

The University of Saskatchewan is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community.