CERC in Precision Materials Chemistry

Canada Excellence Research Chair in PrecisionMaterials ChemistryFaculty of Arts and ScienceQueen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, CanadaMay 8, 2025DescriptionThe Queen’s University Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Arts and Science welcomesapplications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Precision Materials Chemistry.The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program awards world-renowned researchersand their teams $8 million or $4 million over 8 years to lead ambitious research programs inareas that align with the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I)priority areas. Canada Excellence Research Chairs are among the most prestigious researchpositions available globally, offering chairholders the opportunity to grow their impact bylaunching ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. The CERC program stands at thecentre of a national strategy to attract the world’s top researchers, building a critical mass ofexpertise to further Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation.Successful nominees will build upon a core of research excellence at Queen’s University,expanding their research program to advance the frontiers of research on a global scale.CERC recruitment is a multi-stage process, where applicants first apply to a nomination posting atthe institution. Select nominees will work in partnership with Queen’s to apply to the 2026 CERCcompetition. Interested applicants are invited to review the full program details. In addition,Queen’s University will provide substantial institutional support in the co-preparation and codevelopment of the program application.Research AlignmentThe Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2MCI) is a Tier 1 research institute at Queen's Universityfunded through a transformative New Frontiers in Research Fund grant. Key partners of theinstitute include the University of Toronto, University Health Network, McGill University, WesternUniversity and Concordia University. C2MCI membership boasts 10 Canada Research Chairs andmultiple prestigious national chairs. Institute goals include the design and application of novelorganic-on-metal materials that survive and function in extreme environments. This includesnanomaterials employed in advanced medical imaging and treatment regimens that encompasshigh levels of radiation exposure as needed during cancer treatments or advanced imagingmodalities. Robust organic coatings for applications in the harsh environment of semiconductormanufacturing processes are another key area of research. Finally, state-of-the-art organiccoatings for metal surfaces that survive extreme environments due to the presence of a covalentbond to the metal are being investigated as new approaches to corrosion prevention.The successful candidate for the C2MCI CERC position will be a world-class scholar in one thefollowing three research areas:1. Precision Nanomedicine and Nanomaterials: The development and application of novelnanomaterials for precision nanomedicine.2. Micro Materials and Innovations: The synthesis and characterization of innovativeadvanced materials and their deposition methods such as atomic layer deposition (ALD)for microelectronics manufacturing.3. Innovative Advanced Materials for Macro Applications: The synthesis, characterization,and deposition of novel molecular coating materials that reduce corrosion of metals usedfor transportation and energy infrastructure, including, metals used for green energystorage and transportation.In addition to leading an internationally recognized, world-leading research program that focuseson one of the above three areas, the successful candidate will have a proven ability to collaborate,a demonstrated ability to lead major research grants/networks, and a track record of successfulsupport of highly qualified personnel.The successful CERC candidate will be expected to play a leadership role nationally through theirown program and at the C2MCI, enhancing the success of the institute and the university,providing world-class research opportunities to graduate, undergraduate and postdoctoralresearchers, and contributing to the research capacity of the institute and university by assistingwith and leading major operating and infrastructure grants.The C2MCI supports collaborations across multiple departments at Queen's, including ChemicalEngineering, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Surgery, Chemistry, Art Conservation, theKingston Health Sciences Centre, Oncology, Engineering Physics and Astronomy and the Queen'sCancer Research Institute (QCRI). The QCRI is home to the Canadian Cancer Trials group, whichoversees national and international clinical trials from phase 1-3, in addition to assessing newcancer agents, novel surgical procedures and new radiation treatments. Based on researchalignment, the successful candidate will have considerable opportunities to collaborate withpartner institutes, including the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network(UHN) in Toronto which is Canada's number one research hospital, as well as some of Canada'stop research intensive Universities such as McGill University, the University of Toronto, WesternUniversity, Simon Fraser University and international, research intensive universities.A successful nominee will be an outstanding scholar with a world-class reputation and mustpossess the qualifications necessary to be appointed1 at the rank of tenured Professor. Theprogram imposes no restrictions on nominees with regard to nationality or country of residence(see Eligibility of nominees in program guidelines for details). Researchers who hold a full-timeacademic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible to be nominated; however, they maynot be nominated by the institution at which they currently hold their appointment. If an1 Appointments are subject to review and final approval by the Provost. Academic staff at Queen’s University are governedby a Collective Agreement between the University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), which is postedat https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moas and at http://www.qufa.ca.https://www.cerc.gc.ca/program-programme/competitions-concours/2026/index-eng.aspx#6https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moashttp://www.qufa.ca/institution nominates a researcher who is currently at a Canadian institution, the nominatinginstitution must demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from oneCanadian institution to another. Successful nominees will have up to 12 months to take up theirappointment as chairholder at the host institution after the Notice of Award has been accepted bythe nominating institution and the nominee.Queen’s University is committed to excellence in research and research training for the benefit ofCanadians and to achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise.The research community at Queen's is committed to and recognizes that building a culture ofdiversity is a socially responsible approach that actively removes discrimination and barriers toinclusion to provide benefits that reach beyond our institution. At Queen’s, we recognize thatdiversity advances research for the greater good by valuing alternate perspectives, therebyunlocking creative potential and stimulating novel collaborations. Queen’s is strongly committedto employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications fromBlack, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and2SLGBTQ+ persons.About Queen’s UniversityFrom Nobel Prize-winning research exploring the building blocks of the universe to cancer careand treatment to sustainable technologies, Queen’s University is tackling humanity’s mostpressing challenges. A member of the U15 group of Canadian research universities, Queen’s ishome to a vibrant research community that includes 48 Canada Research Chairs, two CanadaExcellence Research Chairs, and over 20 research institutes who work in partnership withcommunities, governments, and industry to advance research and innovation, making ameasured impact on Canada and the world. Queen’s is in the top 200 of the QS World UniversityRankings. In 2024, for the fourth year in a row, Queen’s ranked in top 10 globally of the TimesHigher Education Impact Rankings. The rankings measured over 2,100 post-secondary institutionsfrom 125 countries on their work to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).How to ApplyA complete application package consists of:i) a cover letter addressing the following selection criteria:o global leadership and innovation in at least one area of research alignmento track-record of mentorship and training highly qualified personnelo potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and internationalresearch ecosystemii) a full curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, awards and grants received); andiii) a summary of the proposed research program, including a description of how equity,diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team.In addition, life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities(e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for familymembers, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID 19 impacts) are often anexpected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominee’s record of researchachievement. These impacts will be given careful consideration during the assessment process.Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/orcareer interruptions.Note nominations will be subject to the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive TechnologyResearch and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), which applies to this funding opportunity.To apply, please email your complete application package to: CERC@queensu.ca.Closing Date: Posted for a minimum of 30 days with the possibility of extension until positionsare filled.Note this posting may be used to identify Tier 1 Canada Research Chair nominees or namedchairs of similar value.The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, includingaccommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you requireaccommodation during the interview process, please contact Ms. Jennifer Miller in the Vice-Principal,Research Portfolio, at jennifer.miller@queensu.ca.Queen’s University is situated on the traditional Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee territory. Ne Queen’sAnishinaabe aking.https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/sensitive-technology-research-and-affiliations-concernhttps://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/sensitive-technology-research-and-affiliations-concernmailto:CERC@queensu.ca #J-18808-Ljbffr