Canada Excellence Research Chair in Sustainable Aerospace Engineering

Concordia University and the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science invite applications for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) position in Sustainable Aerospace Engineering. The Chair’s research activities will propose a unique, interdisciplinary approach to address challenges in sustainability and innovative technologies in both the aerospace and space research of the future. This includes but is not limited to rocketry, space launch systems, spacecraft design, space robotics, sustainable space exploration, artificial intelligence, spacecraft GNC, autonomous vehicles, sustainable aircraft design, alternative fuels, electrification and disruptive space systems. 

This Research Chair aims to implement an integrated approach to the sustainable design of aerospace and space systems of the future. As such, the ideal candidate should have a research profile that is multidisciplinary in nature. 

The successful candidate for the CERC position will be offered a position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, which is conditional upon the awarding of the research chair. The candidate will be required to work with the university to prepare the formal CERC nomination according to the CERC program guidelines (Application and Nomination Process (cerc.gc.ca)). Successful nominees will be expected to take up their position in Canada at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the notice of award. 

About the Canada Excellence Research Chair Program 

The CERC program supports Canadian Universities in building on Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams up to $8 million CAD over eight years to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities.

We are seeking applications from internationally recognized and dynamic candidates with excellent leadership abilities for a diverse team. The appointment requires candidates with a record of creating synergies in a multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary field and who have demonstrated 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 should have an academic and/or industry background, or research experience in government labs. Industry experience, applications of research to industry, or community service will also be considered an asset.  

Concordia University requires applicants to have a Ph.D. in Engineering in a field relevant to the research area and an established and internationally renowned research profile with evidence of peer-recognized achievement, and the demonstrated ability to attract and mentor excellent graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The successful applicant will demonstrate a sustained, externally funded research program along with leadership skills that integrate research strengths, knowledge mobilization and generate measurable impact. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association, preferably in Quebec, is required. 

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, Canadians 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 February 25, 2026, and addressed to: Hoi Dick Ng, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs at academic-affairs.ginacody@concordia.ca and must include the following: 

1. a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (21-C-GCS-O) 
2. a current curriculum vitae,  
3. copies of three (3) representative publications,  
4. a five-page outline of the proposed research program,  
5. a statement of previous multidisciplinary research accomplishments,  
6. as well as a statement of teaching philosophy/interests and evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available) 
7. EDI statement, as detailed below 
8. Four (4) letters of reference submitted directly by their referees. 

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. We anticipate the appointment starting no later than August 1, 2027. CERC results should be announced by January 2027. Note that successful nominees will be expected to take up their position in Canada at the host institution within 12 months of accepting the notice of award. 

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.