Civil Engineering – Assistant Professor (Geotechnical Engineering) – McMaster University

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and, within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

Position Description
McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track position in geotechnical engineering at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, located on the main university campus, to begin on September 01, 2023, or on a mutually agreed date thereafter. Consideration for positions at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor will be based on commensurate experience.

As one of the top departments of civil engineering in Canada, we have a strong international reputation in both research and teaching. Our Civil Engineering Program is currently ranked in the top 4 in Canada and in the top 50-75 in the world (ARWU). With a vision of building healthier communities to create a brighter world, our faculty members work collaboratively in the following four research themes: Resilient Infrastructure Systems, Smarter Mobility, Water Security and Climate Change, and Intelligent Energy Systems. For this position we are seeking an outstanding colleague who could create synergies with our existing research themes and establish an exciting research program in novel and emerging areas of geotechnical engineering.

Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, McMaster Engineering has a long history of excellence in cutting edge research, student-focused education, innovative programs, leading faculty, and achieving students. We integrate experiential learning into every facet of the student journey, offer Canada’s largest undergraduate research program, vibrant co-op opportunities, and much more. With over 200 faculty members, about 7,500 undergraduate and 1,250 graduate students, we are a world-class centre for academic excellence and innovation.

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is one of only four Canadian universities ranked among the top 80 in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2022 and is home to more than 70 research centres and institutes. Named Canada’s most research-intensive university in four of the last six years by Research Infosource, McMaster is dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning and service. With a student population of more than 36,000, McMaster welcomes students from 120 countries as well as Canada. Discover more of what McMaster Engineering and the Hamilton area can offer to academic professionals and their families by reviewing the Information Guide highlighting our research excellence, family-friendly resources and rich local culture. Opportunities for continuous personal and professional growth are also made available through our Faculty’s Fireball Academy and the MacPherson Institute.

Successful Candidate
We seek a talented and dynamic colleague in geotechnical engineering who will contribute to the excellence of the department in research, teaching, and service. We will consider exceptional candidates in all geotechnical engineering areas relevant to the department’s vision of building healthier communities to create a brighter world. Candidates working in interdisciplinary, crosscutting research areas that include geotechnical engineering, geomechanics, and resilient infrastructure systems are desirable. Geotechnical fields that relate to infrastructure for nuclear reactors, resilience to climate change, smart cities, and renewable energy systems are of particular interest.

Applicants are expected to have a PhD in Civil Engineering or related areas, and must demonstrate an impactful record of research, reflected by publications in relevant high-quality peer-reviewed journals and external grant acquisition (for established researchers). The successful candidate will teach both undergraduate and graduate level courses. They will be expected to establish a strong externally-funded research program, supervise graduate students, and foster collaborations within the Department, Faculty, University, and beyond.

Applicants should also possess outstanding leadership and communication skills, a commitment to excellence in service, and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. All candidates will be expected to participate in the normal administrative, educational, and professional activities of the Department, Faculty and University. Applicants are expected to have licenses for the practice of engineering in Canada or the ability and eligibility to apply for an engineering license with the Professional Engineers of Ontario within 3 years.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence.  In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration, and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities (“visible minorities”), persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

We invite all applicants to complete a brief Diversity Survey as part of the application process. It takes approximately two minutes to complete. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. Inquiries about the Diversity Survey may be directed to hr.empequity@mcmaster.ca.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Office of the Dean of Engineering at 905-525-9140 ext. 24900 to communicate accommodation needs.

How to Apply
Please submit the following materials through the University’s electronic portal: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/current-opportunities/  [Job Opening # 53025] by April 21, 2023, to:

Dr. Moncef Nehdi, Chair
Department of Civil Engineering
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West, JHE 301
Hamilton, ON   L8S 4L7

• letter of application demonstrating how the candidate meets the selection criteria outlined above and describing, if applicable, the impact that career interruptions may have had on research productivity.
• curriculum vitae.
• statement on research interests and vision, and how it integrates with McMaster Civil Engineering.
• a selection of three (3) recent research publications.
• statement on teaching interests and philosophy, including evidence of and/or plans for teaching effectiveness.
• statement on contributions to inclusive excellence in teaching, research, and service, including a description of how you will advance the University’s commitment to building an inclusive community and to fostering a culture which embraces and promotes rich diversity of the campus community.
• name, title, phone number, and email address of at least three (3) referees. Letters of reference are not required at the time of application, but will be requested at a later stage, and only for the shortlisted applicants.

To be fully considered, applications must be received by April 21, 2023. However, the review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The effective date of appointment is negotiable, but September 01, 2023 is preferred. All applicants will receive an online confirmation of receipt of their application; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews. Direct any inquiries about this position to Sarah Sullivan at sullivsb@mcmaster.ca.

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 reporting requirements, the University gathers information about applicants’ status as either permanent residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements:

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

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers, and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Policy will be currently paused, this Policy may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. As a result, failure to achieve and maintain fully vaccinated status or an approved human rights-based exemption may result in termination of employment. This is a term and condition of employment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status. Further information is available at the following link: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca/vaccination-mandate/. More information on the University’s Health and Safety framework is available online at https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/.

Questions regarding the above requirements or any accommodation requests through the recruitment process can be directed to hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.