Canada Research Chair Tier II in Rechargeable Batteries for Powering Canada

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track position in the area of Rechargeable Batteries for Powering Canada. The successful candidate will be nominated for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2. This is a research-intensive tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, but exceptional candidates at the Associate Professor level may also be considered. 

We seek to recruit an outstanding emerging researcher in the field of advanced and sustainable lithium-ion batteries and beyond. Of particular interest are sustainable and reliable lithium-ion batteries, affordable and long-lasting sodium-ion batteries, safe and high-energy all-solid-state batteries, and related areas. The successful candidate is an excellent emerging researcher with demonstrated research creativity, a vision to establish an original and innovative research program of high quality and a drive to become an internationally recognized leader in their area of research in the next five to ten years. The candidate must demonstrate a potential to attract and develop excellent trainees, students, and future researchers. 

Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and service to the institution. 

Candidates must be eligible for Tier II chair positions (see below) and must have a Bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association, preferably in Quebec, is required. 

The main criteria for selection are scholarly and teaching excellence. The successful candidate is an outstanding and innovative researcher with the potential to accomplish world-class research, making a major impact in their field. They must have a record of, or a strong potential for attracting major external funding and carrying out an independent research program, leading to high-impact publications and/or commercial applications. Industry experience, applications of research to industry, or community service will be considered an asset. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to the supervision of Master's and Ph.D. students. 

Candidates eligible for Tier II chair positions must be excellent emerging scholars within 10 years of their highest degree at the time of nomination (exclusive of career interruptions).  Potential Tier II candidates who are more than 10 years from their highest degree should take note that certain career interruptions may still make them eligible for nomination. Potential candidates are encouraged to submit a formal justification by means of the Tier II Justification Assessment Form, which will be considered in the review of applications.  Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and acceptable justifications to the extension of the eligibility term. 

Current faculty members at Concordia University who meet the eligibility criteria above are also encouraged to apply. 

Notwithstanding the above and irrespective of their submission of a formal justification, candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements:  

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada  

or  

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

Applications should be submitted by January 15, 2026, addressed to Dr. Alex De Visscher, Professor and Department Chair at cme-chair@concordia.ca, and must include the following: 

1. Cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (25-C-CME-M), 
2. Detailed curriculum vitae,  
3. Research statement that can form the basis of a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair nomination, 
4. Teaching statement, 
5. Three published peer-reviewed papers that are representative of your work, 
6. Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in research, and as per the instructions below, 
7. Names and contact information for at least four referees. 

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence on August 1, 2026. 

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society.  

Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to:  

• teaching about underrepresented populations  

• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds  

• committee work  

• offering or organizing educational programming  

• participation in training and workshops  

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting. 

Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, Dr. Mark Villacorta, Senior Equity Advisor: equity@concordia.ca or by phone at 514-848-2424 extension 4875.