Western University: Experimental Polymer Science

The Faculty of Science at The University of Western Ontario invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Experimental Polymer Science at the interface of chemistry and physics. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor (Probationary Tenure-track), or Associate Professor (Probationary Tenure-track or Tenured). Rank and salary will be commensurate with educational qualifications and experience. The starting date will be July 1, 2019 or as negotiated. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with members across the Faculty of Science, and other members of the University community in developing their nomination for the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair program, particularly the proposed program of research.

Applicants must have a PhD degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related disciplines, an outstanding track record of research productivity, in the form of publications in high-impact peer reviewed journals, awards, invited talks and other achievements. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in either Physics or Chemistry and to develop new courses in the core areas of their discipline. The ability to teach in both Departments would be an asset. The successful candidate also needs to demonstrate their ability to attract and train excellent graduate and undergraduate research students.

Research areas of interest are in the experimental science of polymer-based materials, including, for example, smart materials, composite materials, organic electronics materials, or biomaterials, and the development of new experimental methods to probe their structure, properties, and behavior under conditions that are relevant to potential applications. Demonstration of potential interactions with other researchers in the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will be an asset.

Western has invested heavily in the development of research excellence in polymers. Polymer science is a branch of Materials Science, one of the University’s signature research areas and a strategic research theme within the Faculty of Science. At present, we have roughly 30 excellent research groups working in several areas of polymer science, spanning many departments in the Faculties of Science, Engineering and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

At Western, there are approximately 50 research groups participating as members of CAMBR (Centre for Advanced Materials and Biomaterials Research), coordinating research, educational and outreach activities in the area of Materials and Biomaterials. Our researchers are supported by world-class facilities and infrastructure, including the Nanofabrication Facility, Surface Science Western, the Analytical, Microscopy, and Data Analysis Suites at the Biotron, and the Tandetron (ion beam lab). Western has also exceptional expertise in synchrotron-based research, with extensive connections to synchrotron facilities in the country and around the world for materials characterization. Substantial expertise in the synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic polymers by rheology, spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy, as well as experience in the fabrication of polymer-based electronic devices (polymer solar cells, organic memory devices, optoelectronic devices, etc.) exists across both the departments of Chemistry (https://www.uwo.ca/chem/)  and Physics & Astronomy (http://www.physics.uwo.ca/). Other research teams active in materials and polymers are located in Western’s Faculty of Engineering. Western’s collaborative research endeavours such as the Bone and Joint Institute and the Brain and Mind Institute facilitate cross-faculty interactions and linkages to researchers in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Western University recognizes that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning and a community leader. Western understands that our pursuit of research excellence and our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion are mutually supporting. As such, Western is committed to achieving and maintaining an equitable representation amongst our Canada Research Chair holders, as well as within Western’s broader research enterprise.

In accordance with the regulations set for Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca), Tier 2 chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have 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  ResearchWesternCRC@uwo.ca  for more information. Please consult the Canada Research Chair website for full information, including further details       on       eligibility       criteria.
http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program- programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s2

Western recognizes the potential impact that legitimate career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Potential candidates are encouraged to explain within their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record, and to submit a full career or extended CV to a chairholder position in cases where they have had career interruptions.

With annual research funding exceeding $220 million and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses. General information about the University can be found at http://www.uwo.ca/ . The university campus is in London Ontario, a city of 380,000, located midway between Toronto and Detroit. With parks, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is known as the “Forest City.” London boasts an international airport, art galleries, theatre, music and sporting events (see http://www.london.ca/about-london ).

Western’s Office of Faculty Recruitment and Retention is available to assist in the transition of the successful applicant and their family.

Candidates should submit—electronically—a curriculum vita, one-page teaching statement, concise research proposal (up to 5 pages), and contact details of at least three professional references who can provide letters of support to:

Prof. R. Sica, Chair
c/o Jodi Guthrie, Assistant to the Chair Department of Physics and Astronomy
The University of Western Ontario
Jodi@uwo.ca

Please ensure that the Application for Full-Time Faculty Position Form available at: http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/pdf/full-time-application-form.pdf   has been completed and included in your application submission.

The application deadline is December 15, 2018.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons/Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

In  accordance  with  Canadian  immigration  requirements,  priority  will  be  given  to
Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Jodi Guthrie at  jodi@uwo.ca .