Canada Impact + Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing of Sustainable Materials

Canada Impact + Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing of Sustainable Materials

Location: Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page: Faculty, Librarian and Veterinarian

Division: College of Engineering

Position Title / Rank: Canada Impact + Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing of Sustainable Materials

Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering

Position Description

The University of Guelph invites applications for nomination to the prestigious Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials. This opportunity will enable a world-class researcher to establish and lead an ambitious research program in advanced manufacturing systems and materials science relevant to Canada’s industrial, energy, and sustainability priorities, positioning Canada at the forefront of advanced manufacturing innovation.

The successful candidate will strengthen the University of Guelph’s leadership in manufacturing, materials, and digital technologies, while fostering strong collaborations with industry, government, and international partners.

About the Canada Impact+ Research Program

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Impact+ Chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization, and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.

The Impact+ program provides opportunities for internationally renowned scholars and scientists in areas of strategic importance to Canada. Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the intake’s application deadline are eligible to apply. Nominees must be full professors or associate professors or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. A Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to manufacturing and advanced materials research and teaching is required by the University of Guelph.

Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials

The College of Engineering is recruiting a Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, at an award value of $500,000 per year. The term is for 8 years, with the possibility for a four-year extension at 50% of the original award value. The Impact+ Chair in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials is aligned with the Impact+ strategic priority areas of clean technology, advanced manufacturing, sustainable materials, and resource value chains.

Program Evaluation Criteria

- Research/academic merit and leadership skills of the nominee

- Quality of the institutional support

- Quality of the research program

- Potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international research ecosystem

- Potential for knowledge translation, mobilization, and application of research results

Targeted Research in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Canada Impact+ Research Chair and will build an independent, world-class research program in manufacturing and advanced materials, aligned with the University of Guelph’s strengths in engineering, sustainability, and applied innovation. The research program is expected to address challenges across modern manufacturing systems and materials-enabled technologies, including but not limited to:

- Sustainable and circular manufacturing systems

- Next-generation metal additive manufacturing and hybrid processes

- Manufacturing of advanced materials for energy and infrastructure applications

- Digital and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0/5.0)

- AI-enabled, physics-informed, and data-driven manufacturing

- Agentic systems, autonomous manufacturing, and resilient production systems

- Process–structure–performance relationships in advanced materials

Strategic Alignment with the University of Guelph

The University of Guelph’s Strategic Plan emphasizes creating solutions for a sustainable future and advancing collaborations with industry and government to address society’s most pressing challenges. A Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials directly strengthens this vision by advancing innovation in sustainable production, advanced materials, and intelligent manufacturing systems that support Canada’s economic competitiveness, energy transition, and environmental stewardship.

Candidate Profile

We seek an exceptional scholar with an international reputation for research excellence, innovation, and leadership. The successful nominee will:

- Hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a closely related discipline. A Ph.D. degree is a requirement for faculty members at the University of Guelph. Suitably qualified candidates in industrial engineering, materials science, mechatronics, or related interdisciplinary fields will be considered. Industrial or national laboratory experience is an asset.

- Be internationally based at the time of application (any citizenship considered).

- Be qualified for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.

- Demonstrate a record of outstanding and sustained research contributions, including high-impact publications, patents, technologies, and external research funding.

- Show a proven ability to lead large, interdisciplinary research teams and foster collaborations with academia, industry, and government.

- Demonstrate qualification to teach manufacturing, materials, or related engineering subjects at the undergraduate and graduate level.

- Exhibit a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA).

Join Us in Shaping Our Community

The University of Guelph recognizes that an inclusive campus and culture of inclusion is an institutional and social imperative. The University of Guelph is committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative environment. We value diversity and inclusivity because it is vital to advancing innovation and critical thinking. We reside on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Huron Wendat and affirm our responsibility to reconciliation through ongoing action.

Application Process

The Impact+ nomination process consists of two stages. First, candidates apply to an open job posting at the University of Guelph. The U of G will then support the successful candidate in the development of an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to an Impact+ Chair position is contingent upon receiving an Impact+ Chair award. Awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award.

Assessment of applications will begin on January 23, 2026.

Candidate interviews will be hosted during the week of February 2nd – 6th, 2026.

Interested external applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID#2061) by submitting the following materials (in one merged PDF file uploaded to cv):

- A cover letter describing their vision for a research program in Manufacturing and Advanced Materials and how it aligns with the goals of the Canada Impact+ Research Chair program.

- Brief description of the proposed research program, including a description of how equity, diversity and inclusion has been incorporated into research design and research team, and how your research will contribute to knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results (maximum four pages).

- Career highlights describing your most significant contributions to your field, including how they have led to societal benefits, and how they connect with your research plan (maximum two pages).

- Statement of teaching and mentorship philosophy (maximum one page).

- The names and email addresses of three references, at least two of which are at arm's length (not in conflict of interest).

Deadline for application: January 22, 2026.

Applications and inquiries should be directed to: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Guelph.

Date Posted: 12/23/2025
Deadline: 01/22/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

Legal and Diversity Statements

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenousization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognises that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

All applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. Confidential assistance is available on request by contacting the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674 or via email at ohw@uohw.ca.

#J-18808-Ljbffr