Assistant or Associate Professor & Research Chair in Digital Automation and Robotics in Construction

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The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton campus, invites applications for a research chair tenure-track position in fields related to digital automation and robotics in construction. The University of New Brunswick’s Off-Site Construction Research Center (https://www.unb.ca/ocrc/) is adding this research chair to help transform the construction industry. The appointment is expected to be at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor starting July 1st, 2026, or as soon thereafter as possible. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

The salary range and fringe benefits for this position is defined in the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers (AUNBT) 2022 – 2025 Collective Agreement sections 35 and 36B.

The Off-site Construction Research Centre (OCRC) was established in 2018 with a mandate to accelerate construction innovation through the improvement and adoption of off-site construction technologies and practices. The Centre has grown to be a national leader in these areas through strong industry partnerships and research collaborations both nationally and globally.

The successful applicant will be an internationally prominent or emerging researcher and leader for the advancement, application and adoption of digital automation and robotics in the manufacturing and/or construction industry in areas including (but not limited to) design for manufacturing and assembly, generative AI, computer vision, machine learning, foundation models, BIM/digital twins, cyber-physical systems, digital fabrication, IoT-enabled smart construction, and robotics.

This is an opportunity to join a civil engineering department in a period of growth, with increasing emphasis on the profession’s impacts on society and the environment. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to collaborative research and educational initiatives with the construction industry that address pressing challenges in the sector, including housing affordability, productivity improvement through digital transformation, workforce development, the circular economy, and sustainability in construction. Fredericton, as the capital city of New Brunswick, offers a unique setting for research on construction innovation and industry transformation. The regional research community is collaborative, with strong ties to other Atlantic universities, research organizations, and industry partners.

The Chair will spend the majority of their time directly engaged in scientific research and other activities for the advancement of digital automation and robotics technologies in the construction industry, with the remainder being spent on teaching and administrative duties. This will require supervision of graduate students and other researchers, interacting with industry partners, identifying research opportunities, and instructing undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise. Applicants will be qualified to teach undergraduate and graduate Civil Engineering courses, which will typically be demonstrated by holding an undergraduate Civil Engineering degree. Applicants will have a PhD in Civil Engineering or a closely related field with evidence of, or demonstrated potential for, excellence in research and teaching. Applicants are expected to register as a Professional Engineer in the Province of New Brunswick.

The Department of Civil Engineering has faculty members with research expertise in all major subdisciplines including construction, environmental, geotechnical, hydrotechnical, materials, structural, and transportation. The Department of Civil Engineering has many well-established working and research partnerships with public and private organizations regionally, nationally, and internationally, that provide many opportunities for collaboration. The Department hosts several specialty research chairs and research groups. Further information about the Department is available at:
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/engineering/depts/civil/index.html.

The University of New Brunswick has been nurturing discovery and innovation for over 200 years. The Fredericton campus, in the capital city of New Brunswick, delivered the first lecture in civil engineering in Canada in 1854. The Department of Civil Engineering offers 4-year bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and geological engineering, and research-based graduate degree programs (MEng, MScE, PhD) in Civil Engineering. The combined undergraduate and graduate student enrolment is typically 350 to 400.

The University of New Brunswick ensures that employment opportunities are accessible to all applicants. To request accommodations at any stage in the recruitment and hiring process, please contact the University’s Recruitment & Employee Experience Specialist at 506-453-4648 or people@unb.ca.

Applications should be emailed to the attention of Dr. Alan Lloyd, Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, at civileng@unb.ca.

Please include in a single PDF file: a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of research and a teaching dossier (including aspects of EDI). In addition, please provide three academic references with their contact information. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status.

We recognize that career paths are not always linear, particularly for individuals from marginalized groups, and we encourage applicants to explain the impact any career interruptions may have had on their research history.

Review of applications will begin January 31, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Short-listed candidates will be required to provide satisfactory proof of credentials including appropriately certified translations of credentials into English, as applicable.

The University of New Brunswick is committed to employment equity and fostering diversity within our community and developing an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the broader community that we serve. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who will help us achieve our goals, including women, visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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