Department Chair and Associate Professor/Professor

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Chair appointments are for five-year terms and will be made in accordance with Article 20 of the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA) Collective Agreement. The Chairs will play a critical role in shaping the academic, research, and administrative direction of the College’s four departments. Reporting to the Dean, the Chairs are responsible for ensuring the orderly, effective, and collegial operation of their departments, supporting faculty and staff in fulfilling their academic responsibilities, and contributing to the strategic development of the College of Engineering. They will provide visionary leadership to elevate their department’s visibility, amplify its scholarly, societal, and community impact, and strengthen its reputation nationally and internationally.

Role of the Chair

Department of Civil, Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
(Requisition ID 2349)
The Chair will lead the advancement of programs addressing key societal challenges related to infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and water systems. Responsibilities include strengthening curriculum and experiential learning in areas such as structures, materials, geotechnical engineering, water resources, environmental systems, and transportation, including laboratory- and field-based learning experiences. The Chair will foster research excellence in areas including sustainable and smart infrastructure, circular economy and responsible resource management, and resilient community design, while strengthening partnerships with municipalities, industry, consulting firms, conservation authorities, and government agencies to expand experiential learning, applied research, and co-op opportunities.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
(Requisition ID 2350)
The Chair will guide the development and growth of programs in electrical and computer engineering, advancing curriculum and experiential learning in fields such as electronics, computing, intelligent systems, and sustainable technologies. The role includes supporting technical and administrative staff and advancing faculty research excellence in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital systems, while ensuring effective coordination of teaching laboratories across electronics, computing, communications, and controls. The Chair will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering programs and strengthen industry and community partnerships that enhance applied research and co-op education pathways.

Department of Interdisciplinary Engineering
(Requisition ID 2351)
The Chair will shape the development of the Department of Interdisciplinary Engineering, supporting programs that integrate multiple engineering disciplines and emphasize design-based, team-driven learning. The role includes advancing interdisciplinary curriculum development, strengthening experiential and co-op learning opportunities, and supporting research collaborations that bridge traditional engineering boundaries in areas such as bioprocess technologies, biomedical engineering, mechatronics, and sustainability-focused design. The Chair will foster a collaborative academic culture among faculty and staff from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and support partnerships with industry and community organizations.

Department of Mechanical Engineering
(Requisition ID 2352)
The Chair will provide leadership in advancing programs in mechanical engineering through strategic curriculum planning, accreditation and quality assurance processes, and the continued development of design-focused and experiential learning frameworks. The role includes supporting faculty and staff development and research excellence in areas such as mechanical design, thermo-fluids, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable energy systems, while overseeing design-intensive laboratories and experiential learning environments. The Chair will also strengthen partnerships with industry and professional organizations to support applied research and student training.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a tenured faculty member (or appointable as such) with an excellent record of scholarship, teaching, and service. They will have demonstrated academic and administrative leadership experience and the ability to work collaboratively within a complex academic environment. They will foster shared leadership, build consensus, and inspire the pursuit of inclusive excellence within their department. The Chair must demonstrate commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonial practices and support an accessible and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students.

The successful candidate will:
– Hold an undergraduate university degree and a terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) in an applicable engineering discipline or a closely related field
– Be licensed as a Professional Engineer in Ontario or eligible for licensure with Professional Engineers Ontario within one year of appointment
– Have a strong record of scholarly publications in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrated success in securing external funding for their research program
– Have experience in curriculum development, program accreditation, and student-centred teaching methodologies
– Have demonstrated skill in fostering collaboration across departments, industry, and external partners while navigating complex academic governance
– Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a commitment to diversity and inclusion
– Have a record of effective leadership, demonstrating the ability to inspire teams, guide change, and advance strategic priorities in complex academic or organizational settings

Core scholarship areas:

Civil, Environmental and Water Resources Engineering: sustainable and smart civil and environmental systems; byproduct valorization and circular economy; green infrastructure; monitoring and modelling of water systems; detection and remediation of environmental contamination; and design of resilient, equitable built environments.

Electrical and Computer Engineering: artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, robotics and automation, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, communications technologies, electrified and autonomous systems, next-generation electronic and computing systems, and related areas.

Interdisciplinary Engineering: mechatronics and integrated systems engineering, bioprocess technologies, biomedical engineering technologies, cross-disciplinary engineering innovation, sustainability-driven engineering design, and related areas.

Mechanical Engineering: advanced mechanical systems design and manufacturing, thermo-fluids and energy systems, advanced and digital manufacturing, sustainable engineering technologies for next-generation industrial and societal applications, and related areas.

Term and Appointment

The successful candidate will be appointed as a tenured faculty member at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, initiating their employment with the University with a chair term of five (5) years in accordance with the UGFA Collective Agreement, Article 20. A Letter of Appointment outlining more specific responsibilities will be provided.

The University of Guelph

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward jobshiringnearme.org It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

Assessment of applications will begin on May 29, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply under the correct requisition ID corresponding to the position of interest, as follows:

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Water Engineering (Req. ID 2349)
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Req. ID 2350)
Department of Interdisciplinary Engineering (Req. ID 2351)
Department of Mechanical Engineering (Req. ID 2352)

Applications submitted under an incorrect requisition may not be considered.

Applicants should submit the following materials (in an integrated single PDF file):

– A cover letter outlining qualifications, leadership experience, and vision for the Department (maximum 3 pages)
– A statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (maximum one page)
– A curriculum vitae
– The names and contact information of three referees (referees will be contacted only for shortlisted applicants).

Applications should be sent to the attention of:

College of Engineering Hiring Committee
College of Engineering
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Questions about the application process may be directed to the College of Engineering Administrative Officer, Ashliegh Sayer, at [email protected].

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at [email protected].

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