Tier 2 Canada Research Chair – Intelligent Robotics, Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering at The University of Western Ontario, one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, seeks applicants for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Intelligent Robotics. The successful applicant will receive a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. Applicants interested in the development of robotic systems in any application domain capable of autonomous operation in the presence of uncertain information are invited to apply.

The Role

We are seeking candidates who can articulate a vision to lead new research by building capacity and collaborations within the Department in autonomous robotics. In addition to supporting Western’ research excellence, this role is expected to attract high quality undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other trainees through their research and notoriety.

The department is an exciting place to work, with vast potential for collegial collaborative research in a broad variety of areas within robotics, including:

• surgery, exploration, power systems, agriculture, mining and rehabilitation, and more.

They will be expected to teach a variety of fundamental undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of robotics and mechatronics as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of specialization. In addition, this role will be expected to supervise graduate students and participate in other educational and professional activities including administrative duties within the Department, Faculty and University.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an emerging researcher with demonstrated research activity and creativity, acknowledged by peers as possessing the potential to achieve international recognition and to lead in their field in the next five to ten years, and possess the potential to attract high quality personnel and future research collaborators.

For a tenure-track appointment, successful candidates will have:

• A Ph.D. degree in a related Engineering discipline (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Systems Engineering, etc), or a closely related discipline. A background in robotics.

• Evidence of teaching at the university level. Demonstrated excellence in research, including: Evidence of high-quality scholarly output that demonstrates independent research leading to peer assessed publications and the securing of external research funding, National/international exposure through invited lectures and/or conference symposia as appropriate for their discipline and career stage. Evidence of research leadership potential would be beneficial.

Eligibility (or the ability to become eligible) for registration as a Professional Engineer in Ontario. Tier 2 Canada Research Chair Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated by Western University to apply for the Tier 2 CRC in Intelligent Robotics in accordance with the regulations set for Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs. 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). For more information, please contact Research Development at The University of Western Ontario at ResearchWesternCRC@uwo.ca  and consult the Canada Research Chair website for further details on eligibility criteria.

If the candidate is not awarded a Tier 2 CRC, they will retain their tenure-track role in the Department.

Western University and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Situated along the banks of the Thames River in picturesque London, Ontario, a city with a population of approximately 350,000, Western University is a prominent academic institution routinely ranked as a top research-intensive university in Canada and is committed to excel as a leading research institution internationally. Western University has a full-time enrollment of about 32,000 students in a range of academic and professional programs. 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.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the four Departments in the Faculty of Engineering at Western. Faculty and staff in the department support and foster the educational and research pursuits of undergraduate and graduate engineering students, while providing the best student experience.

The Department offers degrees in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering and Mechatronic Systems Engineering. Our internationally recognized faculty include two Canada Research Chairs (Tier I), one Canada Research Chair (Tier II) and one NSERC-UNENE Industrial Research Chair. We have thriving research groups in software engineering, mechatronics, biomedical engineering, communications and power systems. Our vision is to be recognized as one of the top five research intensive departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Canada.

Western Engineering is in the process of a major expansion of faculty to complement a planned growth in student numbers in alignment with Western Engineering’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Working at Western

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 faculty.

Western University 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.

Western’s Recruitment & Retention Office is available to assist in the transition of successful applicants and their families. This position also includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Salary and rank will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

If you share a commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and are eager to pursue a rewarding academic career, please send:

• a detailed curriculum vitae, a one-page teaching statement describing your teaching experience and philosophy, a concise research statement of interests describing your current research program, accomplishments and future plans, and contact details of at least three professionals who can provide letters of support.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Debra Clinton at dclinton@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/16760.