The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry invites applications for a tenure stream appointment in advanced approaches and technologies for water treatment (recovery-purification-recycle) and management for the natural resource sector.  We have a specific interest in applications relating to the mining, metals, environmental, or oil and gas industries. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor with an expected start date of July 1, 2020, or shortly thereafter. 

Applicants are expected to have a PhD in chemical, civil, environmental, metallurgical, materials or mechanical engineering, applied chemistry or related field at the time of appointment or soon after. Postdoctoral or industrial experience is an asset. The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellence in research and teaching, as well as innovation in research and teaching. Candidates with experience or a demonstrated strong interest in water and sustainability issues in the resource industry would be an asset.

Candidates must have research experience in at least two of the areas below.  Any practical experience would be an asset.

• Remediation and recovery of metals from extractive industry process water
• Novel membrane processes for treatment or purification of industrial water and/or effluent streams including desalination by reverse, forward, pressure retarded osmosis and variants
• Biological processes for process-affected water purification
• Integration of advanced materials chemistry or nanomaterials in process water purification or treatment
• Electrocatalytic, electrochemical, solar, or light mediated processes for process water treatment including electrodialysis
• Aqueous chemistry of process-affected water
• Advanced analytical tools and sensors for process-affected waters
• Life cycle assessment of process water related systems
• Water in the circular economy
• Smart use of water and reducing the water ‘footprint’
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence applications related to process water recovery, purification or treatment

Areas of application for candidates’ research may include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage, environmental discharges to surface or underground waters, water usage in extractive metallurgy, industrial water reuse and recycling, urban resource recovery, mining and oil sands process affected water, or tailings management.

The candidate’s expertise will be expected to complement our existing strengths in the Institute for Water Innovation (IWI -  https://water.utoronto.ca/), the Pulp and Paper Centre, BioZone (www.biozone.utoronto.ca), the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE - https://energy.utoronto.ca/), and the Centre for Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering (CARTE - https://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/research-innovation/industry-partnerships-with-u-of-t-engineering/data-analytics-artificial-intelligence/) among many other centres at the University of Toronto (see below for details). A track record and interest in collaboration across multiple disciplines (e.g., engineering, physical and environmental sciences, computer science and social sciences) is a key element of the position.

The successful candidate will be expected to initiate and lead an outstanding, independent, innovative, externally funded research program of international calibre, and teach in the chemical engineering curriculum at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Collaborative and inter-disciplinary research and collegial interaction will be important elements in success. Eligibility to register as a Professional Engineer in Ontario is a desirable qualification. 

Excellence in research is evidenced primarily by publications or forthcoming publications in leading journals or conferences, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and strong endorsements by referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated by the statement of teaching philosophy, teaching accomplishments, and a teaching dossier including sample syllabi and teaching evaluations or other evidence of superior performance in teaching-related activities, as well as strong endorsements.  Other teaching related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto is committed to its vision statement “Through leading edge research and innovation, we integrate chemistry, biology and engineering to drive solutions to global challenges in energy, the environment and health”. The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry as well as the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering of the University of Toronto has had a long history of strength in environmental and process engineering, as well as extractive metallurgy and mining. Our intent is to enhance our strength in modern and future process water treatment and recovery technologies.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

All qualified applicants are invited to apply online by clicking on the link below. Please include the following materials: a cover letter; a curriculum vitae; a statement of research vision with a five to ten year horizon (three to five pages); up to three sample publications; as well as, a teaching dossier including a statement of teaching philosophy and interests, and if available sample course syllabi, teaching evaluations, or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above. If you have any questions about this position, please contact chair.chemeng@utoronto.ca. All application materials must be submitted online. Please combine attachments into one file in PDF or Word formats. Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply.  Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference (signed and on letterhead) to be sent directly by the referees to facultysearch.chemeng@utoronto.ca by February 18, 2020.

More information on the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry’s academic plan is available at: https://chem-eng.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2015ChemE_SS_pg9-10_insert-.pdf. For more information on the Department, please visit www.chem-eng.utoronto.ca. 

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

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