At the intersection of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and community outreach lies Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada’s engaged university. With three campuses located in beautiful British Columbia’s largest municipalities – Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey – our students, faculty and staff are privileged to live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen Peoples.
Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top employers, SFU is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the pursuit of decolonization, indigenization and reconciliation. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity reflected among its students, faculty, staff and our community.”
The Opportunity
The Department of Chemistry invites applications for an NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Surface Electrocatalysis and Electrochemical Transformations – Theory and Modelling with an effective start date of October 1, 2022. This CRC appointment opportunity is intended for emerging scholars in Chemistry at the rank of assistant or associate professor (or those who possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed to these levels).Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidate must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, e.g., parental leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 CRC assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process; please see the CRC website for eligibility details.
Introduction to Chemistry at SFU
The Department of Chemistry (http://chemistry.sfu.ca/) comprises 30 faculty with research interests spanning materials science, inorganic and organic chemistry, physical and analytical chemistry, and chemical biology. Current strengths in materials chemistry include electrocatalysis, energy conversion devices, nanoscience, self-assembled systems, and organic electronics. The department has a vibrant graduate program and is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Access to SFU’s core facilities, 4D LABS, Big Data Hub,ImageTech Lab, and eBrain Lab, along with Cedar, one of Canada’s most powerful academic supercomputers, will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research and foster interactions with research partners across University, government and local industries. The applicant will play a key role in further building the university’s capacity in this area. The department is also strongly committed to inclusive excellence and to diversification across our ranks, including, but not limited to racialization, marginalized sexualities, gender identity, Indigeneity and disability.Qualifications
This Tier 2 CRC in Surface Electrocatalysis and Electrochemical Transformations is part of a Faculty of Science initiative focused on building research capacity in electrochemical transformations for clean energy storage and conversion, and SFU’s Strategic Research Plan for creating new materials and technology for sustainability.We seek candidates who will mount a vigorous research program in chemical theory and modelling that bolsters existing scientific strengths within the Department of Chemistry, as well as more widely across other faculties. Areas of specific interest include electrocatalytic processes, elementary electrode surface reactions, and surface electrochemistry, as they pertain, for example, to clean energy hydrogen production and storage, other gas evolution reactions, chemical energy transformations, and/or carbon dioxide conversion. The applicant will be expected to forge strong collaborations with experimentalists nationally and internationally.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent, postdoctoral experience, and an established record of research accomplishment in the area of theory of electrochemistry, including electrocatalysis.
Preferred candidates will have an established track record of academic publications and a record of interdisciplinary research that demonstrates productive collaborations among researchers from chemistry and related disciplines. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally innovative and competitive program of research that will be supported by independent funding.
Prior experience in teaching and/or graduate supervision is desirable though not essential. A commitment to undergraduate and graduate education in theoretical chemistry within the Department of Chemistry at SFU is required.
This position is contingent upon the applicant receiving a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair; therefore, investigators with outstanding publication records will be considered. The position is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the University Board of Governors and the CRC Secretariat. The CRC is tenable for five years and may be renewed once. Interested applicants are invited to review the initial appointment and chair renewal details of the CRC Program.
How To Apply
To apply, applicants should provide:- A cover letter that addresses the full scope of the job requirements, including how you would contribute positively to SFU’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI);
- An up-to-date, full curriculum vitae (include details of research and teaching, scholarly record, funding, and list of collaborations/partnerships);
- A two-page research statement and explanation of how the research aligns with the 2016-2022 Strategic Research Plan;
- A teaching portfolio including a two-page statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including experience with and understanding of inclusive teaching and diverse student needs, as well as other evidence of teaching strengths;
- The names and email addresses of 4-6 referees, one of whom should be able to discuss teaching capabilities or provide evidence of teaching potential.
SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, leave due to illness) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted them. SFU also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, and nontraditional areas of research and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.
All applications should be submitted to:
Dr. Vance Williams, Professor and Chair
Department of Chemistry
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, Canada, V5A 1S6
Email: chem_sec@sfu.ca
SFU is an equity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university. SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University, and treat all employees equitably. Candidates who belong to equity-deserving groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
SFU offers several benefits and services aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible campus community for faculty; please see the Faculty Relations, Benefits and Service page for more details. SFU is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations or have questions about SFU benefits, services, accommodations policies, or equity considerations, please contact the Specialist, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Faculty Relations.
The competition will remain open until October 1, 2021. Screening of applications will commence on October 12, 2021. Any general inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to Vance Williams, Chair of Chemistry at chem_sec@sfu.ca.
Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details see the Collection Notice: http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/faculty_openings/collection_notice.html.
