Call for Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Applications from Federally Designated Groups in Mechanical Engineering

Call for Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Applications from Federally Designated Groups in Mechanical Engineering

Date Posted: March 29, 2023

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, invites applications for a NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in any field of Mechanical Engineering. This is an internal search and applicants must hold a full-time, tenure stream appointment as Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC.

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (a) with demonstrated research excellence and a talent for developing innovative research programs, (b) the potential to achieve international recognition in their field in the next five to ten years, and (c) as chairholders, the potential to attract and develop excellent trainees and students. The chairholder must demonstrate an original, innovative, high quality research program.  Chairs are tenable for five years and are renewable once. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for further details on eligibility.

Applicants

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a Tier 2 CRC position. Normally, applicants should be no more than 10 years from their highest degree at the time of chair nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from earning their highest degree (and where career breaks such as maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., exist) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 chair assessed through the CRC program’s Tier 2 justification process. Effective March 1, 2020, research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized and may be counted as an eligible delay. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for further details.

The University recognizes the impact that extended leaves-of-absence (e.g. career breaks such as maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) can have on a candidate’s research record. Such leaves will be given careful consideration in the adjudication process.

In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan [https://academic.ubc.ca/sites/vpa.ubc.ca/files/documents/UBC-CRC-EDIAP-Updated-June-22-2022.pdf], and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following federally designated groups: people with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized people, women and people from minoritized gender identity groups. Applicants to CRC positions are asked to complete this equity survey [https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9] as part of the application, and candidates from these groups must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated equity groups to be considered for the position. Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, candidates must also provide their name to be considered.

Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a), 26(c) and 26(e) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this recruitment process, and to advance accessibility, equity, and fair adjudication. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and shared confidentially with the search committee. All responses will be stored in a secure database.

Application process

All applicants are required to self-identify as a member of one or more of the four designated groups using the form available here. Self-identification is necessary for the University to achieve equity targets set by the CRC Program. This information will be stored in a secure database and made available only to members of the adjudication committee.

Applicants should include

  • a document that describes their research, HQP record, and a statement on equity, diversity and inclusion, examples of which may include:
    • a recent grant application;
    • a 3 page statement of their proposed research plan, a 1 page statement on HQP training, and a 1 page statement on the applicant’s current or planned contributions to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in academic, professional or community contexts.
  • a complete up to date curriculum vitae (UBC format).

Application materials should be submitted to Jen Pelletier, the staff member supporting this process, at jen@mech.ubc.ca. Applications from all eligible candidates will be reviewed and assessed by a subcommittee. The closing date for application submission is April 30, 2023.

The assessment of application materials and the identification of successful candidates will be undertaken by an adjudication committee chaired by the Associate Head of Research & Graduate Studies. The successful applicant is expected to submit an application to CRC in the October 2023 CRC national competition. All CRC nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat.

Inquiries about this opportunity may be addressed to Dr. Dana Grecov via email at dgrecov@mech.ubc.ca.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized and integrated into current structures, planning and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in the selection process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact Jen Pelletier at jen@mech.ubc.ca.ca.

To learn more about UBC’s Centre for Workplace Accessibility, please visit their website [https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility]. To learn more about how the University is working to create a more inclusive working and learning environment, please see the UBC Inclusion Action Plan’s goals related to recruitment and retention [https://equity.ubc.ca/about/inclusion-action-plan/recruitment-retention-and-success/].

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented and discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.