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Tier I Canada Research Chair in Thermo-Chemical Conversion of Biomass

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Queen’s University has a tradition of excellence as one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. We are focused on being the quality leader in Canadian higher education and are dedicated to promoting research and scholarship of national and international distinction that will enrich the academic environment.

The Government of Canada has established the Canada Research Chairs program (www.chairs.gc.ca) to foster world-class research excellence in Canadian universities. The Queen’s University Strategic Research Plan identifies areas that will be augmented through the Canada Research Chairs program, and can be found at: www.queensu.ca/secretariat/senate/policies/resstrategic.html

Queen’s University is seeking a Tier I Canada Research Chair in conversion of biomass to gaseous and liquid fuels or other products in the Department of Chemical Engineering (www.chemeng.queensu.ca). We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in transport phenomena and chemical reaction engineering. Additional background in life-cycle analysis will be considered an asset. A record of strong industrial collaboration is anticipated. A record of inter-disciplinary research will be considered a significant asset. Queen’s is establishing a sustainable bioeconomy initiative with a particular emphasis on bioprocessing and biomaterials – thermo-chemical and biological conversion of biomass to value-added products and energy, and biologically based materials, to support the expansion of the bioeconomy in the Province of Ontario and beyond. This initiative, which is aided by a $21M contribution from the Province of Ontario, will build on established strengths at Queen’s that include research in biochemical engineering (bioreactors, bioseparations), polymers and biomaterials, alternative energy (fuel cells, solar energy), crop development, energy and environmental policy, computational science and engineering, green chemistry, and process systems engineering. As part of this initiative, Queen’s has established the Sustainable Bioeconomy Centre, and Innovation Park at Queen’s University.

As part of the sustainable bioeconomy initiative, Queen’s University is hiring five additional new faculty in this area with backgrounds that could include research in biomass crops and crop genetics, harvesting-equipment development, biomass pre-processing, biological and thermochemical conversion to products and energy, combined heat and power systems, or bio-fibres/materials. It is expected that the Tier I CRC will provide leadership to this group of researchers and will work to help increase university-industry interaction in the bioeconomy area. The Tier I CRC will also be expected to interact within the Sustainable Bioeconomy Centre, facilitate inter-disciplinary research, and have significant involvement with industry and in particular with industries that are, or may in the future, become part of Innovation Park at Queen’s University. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a leading-edge research program, actively engage with industry, supervise graduate students, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and make administrative contributions through service to the University, Faculty, and Department. Candidates must hold a relevant earned Ph.D. degree, and registration as a Professional Engineer in Ontario, or eligibility to acquire registration in Ontario, will be considered an asset.

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae, contact information, the names of three referees including their contact information, along with a statement of research and teaching interests, and three examples of relevant publications to:

Dr. James McLellan
Head and Chair of the Appointments Committee
Department of Chemical Engineering
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6
james.mclellan@chee.queensu.ca
613-533-2785

Review of applications will begin on September 30, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Queen’s University is a campus with a global reputation in the heart of the vibrant Kingston community in the core of the Thousand Islands region of southeastern Ontario. It has a community spirit and quality of life unmatched by any other Canadian university. The establishment of a Sustainable Bioeconomy Centre complements the multi-disciplinary group of other centres at Queen’s including the Fuel Cell Research Centre, the Centre for Water and the Environment, and the Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy. The Kingston area is home to the DuPont Canada Research and Development Centre, the Novelis Global Technology Centre, Bombardier Transportation Transit Systems unit, Performance Plants Inc., St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College of Canada. Queen’s University is actively working on expanding the bio-economy sector through interaction with these groups. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. The academic staff at Queen’s is governed by a collective agreement between QUFA and the University, which is posted at www.qufa.ca/

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