The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver campus, is seeking an internationally recognized leader in robotics for a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) position. The Chair position is expected to be a full-time tenured appointment made at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable once, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields.

We are seeking candidates with extensive expertise in the design of next generation robotics systems. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, intelligent systems, autonomous systems including self-driving vehicles, multi-agent systems, computer vision and imaging systems, learning systems including reinforcement learning, human-robot interaction, soft robotics, augmentative robotics, and advancements in robotics instrumentation and control systems. The successful candidate would be expected to drive the use of robotics technologies to advance research in autonomous systems with direct impact on society.

The Chair holder is expected to have a track record fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research. The Chair holder will articulate a strategic plan for developing an exemplary research program that complements ongoing research programs at UBC and engages with local, national, and international research networks. The Chair holder is expected to play an active role in collaborating with a diverse group of researchers across UBC and local industry, in particular in areas related to robotics. The goal is to increase UBC’s visibility and research capability in robotics by leveraging the strength of existing research programs.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a Tier 1 CRC position. Tier 1 CRC nominees must be Professors or Associate Professors who are expected to be promoted to the Professor rank within one or two years of the nomination. The Canada Research Chairs Program supports outstanding researchers in areas that will further UBC’s strategic research plan. All Chair nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat and appointment as a CRC is conditional upon their approval. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website www.chairs.gc.ca for full program information and further details on eligibility criteria.

All applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a related discipline and be eligible for appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at UBC. They will possess a strong track record of scholarly eminence including an independent, internationally recognized research program, demonstrated evidence of success and excellence in teaching, and participation in academic and professional affairs. The successful candidate will lead an independent, internationally recognized research program, teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervise and mentor Master’s and Ph.D. students, and provide service to the University and the community. The successful candidate must either be registered, or be eligible to register, with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (https://www.egbc.ca).

In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan, and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members in one or more of the following designated groups: women, visible minorities (members of groups that are racially categorized), persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples. Applicants to Canada Research Chair positions are asked to complete this equity survey https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9 as part of the application process, and applicants must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated equity groups to be considered for the position.

Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, candidates must also provide their name when completing the equity survey in order to be considered.

Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a) and 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will only be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this hiring process. Equity Survey Data will be collected by the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office and only the names of those who identify as women, visible minorities (member of groups that are racially categorized) and/or Indigenous Peoples will be shared with the search committee.

Currently, UBC’s CRC complement has a gap in representation of persons with disabilities. Until such time as this is remedied, the names of those self-identifying as having a disability will be provided separately to the search committee. Responses will be stored in a secure database.

As indicated above, to be considered for the position, applicants must self-identify as a member of one or more of the four designated groups using the equity survey (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9). This information will be stored in a secure database and made available only to members of the adjudication committee.

Please submit applications online at https://apply.ece.ubc.ca. Applications should include the following:

–        cover letter

–        curriculum vitae

–        research statement

–        teaching statement,

–        diversity statement addressing how they will contribute to an equitable and inclusive academic environment at UBC

–        copies of two major publications

Applicants should also be prepared to provide contact information for at least four potential referees, from whom confidential letters of assessment can be obtained. The closing date for applications is March 15, 2023. Only complete applications will be considered by the committee.

Inquiries about the position may be sent to Professor Steven Wilton, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at chair-recruiting@ece.ubc.ca. The Chair position is expected to begin by January 1, 2024, but is negotiable.

In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce, and in particular, for its employees with disabilities. Additionally, an inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes.

We welcome colleagues with the experiences and skills to contribute to our principles of inclusion, equity, and diversity throughout campus life. Within our hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact chair-recruiting@ece.ubc.ca.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching that is ranked among the top 40 universities in the world. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the largest academic units at UBC, with approximately 400 graduate students and 1,000 undergraduate students. Our department is anticipating significant renewal over the next few years as we strengthen key areas in high demand. Our research and teaching activities benefit from strong links to the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), the Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL), and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (QMI), as well as strong collaborations with the Department of Computer Science and other units within the Faculty of Applied Science. The department is situated on UBC’s Point Grey campus in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver is consistently rated one of the world’s most livable cities. For more information about the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, please visit https://ece.ubc.ca/.