Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in Critical Mineral Processing

Competition 1384

The Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta is seeking applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank in all areas of mineral processing, encompassing physical ore dressing, comminution, froth flotation, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, and urban mining. Experience and research on sustainability in mineral processing and/or extractive metallurgy, the processing of critical minerals, and the interaction with other segments of the critical minerals value chains, is an asset.

The successful candidate will develop research and industrial partnerships through the newly established Centre for Energy and Minerals Processing as well as throughout the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Alberta, and with local industry. Interdisciplinary work and collaboration are important in our department, and there are several groups to foster relationships with and who offer seminars for researchers on campus, including Future Energy Systems, Precision Health, AI4Society, Intersections of Gender, and Situated Knowledges: Indigenous Peoples and Place.

This role will be in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Applicants who value working across disciplinary boundaries, within and outside engineering, as well as with communities and industry are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are looking to join a Faculty with a growing focus on mineral processing, we welcome your application!

The Role and Responsibilities

Faculty members are full members of the department and play an active role in democratic processes and governance. The responsibilities of the role include active participation in teaching, research, and service:

• Teaching (40%): Participation in teaching programs, including classroom teaching, supervision of students conducting research, and personal interactions with and advising students. An Academic Faculty member may decide on specific course content and instructional methodology, recognizing the approved course description, and academic policy approved by the Department, the Faculty, and the University. Teaching is year-round with most courses in the Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) semesters. Teaching assignments are decided in discussion with the Department Chair. As the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board accredits the undergraduate degree programs, licensure as a Professional Engineer is required. Licensure must be obtained within five years of hire date.
• Research (40%): Participation in research, including the preparation or performance of creative works and reflective inquiry, and disseminating research results by means appropriate to the discipline. Academic Faculty members are encouraged to seek financial support for research from granting agencies or other sources.
• Service (20%): An Academic Faculty member shall be actively engaged in service to the University and participate in the collegial responsibilities of departmental, Faculty, and University governance. Provision of service to the discipline of the Academic Faculty member; participation in the governance of the University, the Faculty, and the Department, and dissemination of knowledge to the general public by making available the Academic Faculty member’s expertise and knowledge of the discipline.

The Department Chair supervises Faculty Members. Annually, Faculty Members prepare and submit a report of their university responsibilities to the Department Chair and the Dean. We offer a competitive market salary. For information about the responsibilities, salary, benefits, leaves, and related details, see the most recent collective agreement for academic faculty members.

About the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Alberta

The Faculty of Engineering aims to maintain its position among the top schools in North America. We will do this through innovation and excellence from faculty members and staff who value collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and an engaging and positive work culture. We are dedicated to solving the world’s greatest challenges and building a better future for society by:

1. Building the future through people in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
2. Developing minds and hands with heart by taking a holistic approach to provide an exceptional student experience through education and enrichment that strives to develop the highest-calibre engineers: Those who process both technical acumen and emotional intelligence, expanding the traditional definition of “engineering.”
3. Demonstrating the ever-expanding value of our contributions through community engagement, research impact, and value to society
4. Solving the world’s greatest challenges by uniquely positioning the engineering field to help uplift the whole of humanity

The University of Alberta exists to inspire and ignite the human spirit in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Its work is rooted in its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, while honouring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures, and world views. As one of the world’s top 100 teaching and research universities, the U of A ranks among the top 5 in Canada, providing a $19.4 billion annual economic impact in Alberta alone. The U of A seeks to challenge, to change, and to always be Leading with Purpose. More than 44,000 students and 13,000 staff shape the U of A, with outstanding achievements in learning, research, creativity, innovation, and engagement across five campuses — including one rural and one francophone. The U of A attracts top talent in rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 17 faculties across three colleges and more than $550 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A has more than 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Working and Living in Edmonton

Benefits, Health, & Wellness

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account, parental leave, and pension benefits. For Faculty members, some moving and relocation expenses may be reimbursed. Spouses/partners may be offered employment services through the University’s Spousal/Partner Employment Program. The campus offers a medical clinic, and multiple childcare and housing options within steps of campus. Academic faculty members are offered parental and medical leave, retirement benefits, and healthcare benefits. The Faculty of Engineering values families and aims to minimize long-distance separation when possible through our spouse/partner hiring practices.

Living in Edmonton

Edmonton is home to over one million people and Alberta’s capital. Edmonton offers a vibrant natural resources and mineral processing start-up and technology ecosystem, federal and provincial government offices, the Corporate Offices of the provincial healthcare system, with notable companies including Suncor, Syncrude, Teck Resources, and Sherritt International. The city offers the amenities of a large urban centre while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Several faculty members live in nearby neighbourhoods with a range of multi-family and single-family housing options within walking and biking distance of the University. Alberta is among Canada’s top provincial school systems with several primary and secondary schools near campus. Edmonton is known internationally for its thriving arts and festival scene with one of North America’s largest stretches of urban parkland, and top-ranked health care services.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in mineral processing, metallurgical or materials engineering, or a closely related field. Applications from candidates with concrete plans to complete the PhD program before the start date may be considered.
2. A record of publication in reputable, peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings as well as research experience and skills.
3. Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses for mineral processing.
4. A record of service and volunteerism broadly related to their research, teaching, and/or equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

The following are considered an asset:

1. Effective teaching experience and training in teaching, lesson planning, and curriculum design.
2. Teaching, research, service, and volunteer work related to the role as well as community boards and organizations and outreach to and helping in underserved and underrepresented communities.
3. Licensed Professional Engineer or become a licensed Professional Engineer through the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) within five years from date of hire.
4. Grant application and financial management experience and/or training.
5. Industry experience in engineering, trades, sciences, and technology industries.
6. Experience with interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects as well as with managing large, multi-year research projects.
7. Experience working with industry and community partners for research projects.
8. Team, lab, and facility management experience, including but not limited to safety, supervision, and procurement.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. The University of Alberta aims to increase our diversity, equity, and inclusivity and has 5-year plans in the Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Indigenous Strategic Plan. Alongside this plan, the Faculty of Engineering is taking steps in our student recruitment and hiring processes to support Engineers Canada's 30 by 30 Goal to increase the proportion of newly licensed female-identifying engineers to 30% by the year 2030.

How to Apply

Please ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria above. To apply, please select the Apply Online icon below and submit the following:

1. Cover letter that includes highlights of the candidate’s profile and the names of the three referees (see below for more information).
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Research Plan that outlines main areas of current research and short- and long-term research goals (2 pages max) and up to 3 recent peer-reviewed research publications.
4. Teaching Dossier including
   1. Maximum 1-page teaching philosophy, and
   2. Evidence and potential for teaching effectiveness, such as related training, teaching assistantships, courses instructed, recent course evaluations, and example course outlines for courses you delivered as an instructor.
   3. Please submit under "Interests"

Next Steps

• Applicants will be accepted until Thursday, October 31st at 11:59 pm. University representatives will review application packages. Should the Hiring Committee advance your application, you will be contacted for an online pre-interview. The Hiring Committee will provide a list of questions to be asked at the online pre-interview at least one week before the date of interview.
• Please note that applications with missing information or components will not be considered.
• For applicants selected for interviews, three letters of reference will be requested. Applicants will be expected to contact the three referees and arrange to have them submit their letters of reference via email attachment. Details will be provided to those candidates selected for interviews.