Date posted: March 12th, 2025
The School of Engineering Science of the Faculty of Applied Sciences invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Engineering at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, dependent on experience. This opportunity is open to internal and external applicants. For candidates external to SFU this position is contingent upon the applicant receiving a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. The anticipated start date is October 1, 2026. The applicant’s research area should primarily align with the mandate of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) as outlined in the Guidelines for Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency.
At the intersection of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and community outreach lies Simon Fraser University, Canada’s engaged university. With three campuses located in beautiful British Columbia’s largest municipalities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—our students, faculty and staff are privileged to live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen Peoples.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity reflected among its students, faculty, staff and our community.” SFU is committed to ensuring no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably.
Pursuant to Section 42 of the B.C. Human Rights Code, the selection for this position will be limited to candidates who self-identify as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), a person with a disability, and/or a gender minority and/or a woman, and will bring to their research and teaching the perspective that comes from the lived experiences of those underrepresented in higher education, particularly the experiences of peoples from the aforementioned categories. Applicants must self-identify as belonging to one or more of these equity groups using the Applicant Demographic Survey administered by the SFU Equity Office to be considered for this position. Candidates who do not complete the Applicant Demographic Survey will not be considered for this position.
The Opportunity
The Canada Research Chairs Program stands at the centre of a national strategy to foster research excellence in Canada and improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision. CRC nominations are a two-staged process where the individual first applies to the job posting at the university and then submits a research grant application to the CRC program for peer review.
This T1 CRC appointment opportunity is intended for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in the field of AI for Engineering, including computer engineering, communications and signal/image processing, robotics and cyber physical systems, and biomedical engineering.
For external applicants, this position is contingent upon the applicant receiving a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair prior to being appointed to a tenure-track faculty position at SFU. An appointment with tenure may be possible.
Applicants must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination.
Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. For more information about SFU’s requirements for appointment at each rank, please see SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement, Article 28 (https://www.sfu.ca/facultyrelations/collectiveagreement.html).
Applicants should have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers, as well as maintain and enhance an original, innovative, high quality research program.
The School of Engineering Science
The School of Engineering Science at Simon Fraser University is a renowned center for innovative engineering education and transformative research. The school’s vision is to excel in engineering education and research, training innovative thinkers and leaders equipped with robust scientific foundations and hands-on design skills. Its mission is to develop highly skilled engineers and researchers who can address global challenges through technology and innovation. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the school integrates theoretical learning with hands-on applications to advance critical areas of engineering. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in five options, including biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electronics engineering, engineering physics, and systems engineering. Faculty members and students work on cutting-edge research that spans fields including artificial intelligence, advanced materials, biomedical engineering, robotics and signal processing. Students develop invaluable systems design skills alongside a deep foundation of technical knowledge.
The school has several leading research laboratories and initiatives that support its mission (https://www.sfu.ca/fas/research/labs/engineering-research.html):
• AI and Robotics Research Lab – focusing on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and human-machine interaction.
• Biomedical Engineering Research Group – pioneering advancements in medical imaging, biosensors, and rehabilitation engineering.
• Communications and Signal Processing Lab – specializing in wireless communications, multimedia processing, and networked systems.
• Reconfigurable Computing Lab – focus on non-traditional computer system design, heterogeneous Networks-on-Chip, System-on-Chip (SoC) design, FPGA applications, and quantum computing.
• Robotic Algorithms & Motion Planning Laboratory – create autonomous robots, develop algorithms and planners for the automatic synthesis of robotic motions and manipulation tasks.
• SFU 4D Labs – a state-of-the-art research facility for nanofabrication, materials research, and device prototyping.
These resources offer faculty and students cutting-edge facilities for research, collaboration, and innovation.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are foundational to the school’s culture. The school actively promotes representation from underrepresented groups, including women, racialized individuals, and Indigenous students, through targeted recruitment, mentorship programs, and scholarships. Community outreach initiatives aim to inspire marginalized youth to pursue engineering careers, while workshops and seminars encourage diverse perspectives in teaching and research. These efforts underscore the school’s commitment to inclusive excellence and fostering a welcoming academic environment.
The School of Engineering Science offers programs that are nationally accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). Our programs are among the most sought-after engineering programs in Canada. The school prides itself in its excellent research and newly updated teaching facilities, as well as high-quality students. SFU is located in Metro Vancouver, which is rated one of the most livable areas in North America. SFU offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a collegial and vibrant work environment. For more information, please visit the School of Engineering Science’s website: http://www.sfu.ca/engineering.html
The Successful Candidate
The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline and be registered, or eligible to register, with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (https://www.egbc.ca). They will possess a breadth of expertise and a demonstrated strong track record of scholarly excellence, including an independent, internationally recognized research program, and demonstrated evidence of success and excellence in student supervision and mentorship. The candidate should have a proven track record of developing and delivering educational content, such as undergraduate and graduate course or experience in teaching or training outside traditional academic settings. Additionally, they must exhibit a commitment through past or potential contributions to fostering a welcoming and supportive community for all, particularly for individuals historically, persistently, or systematically marginalized. The successful candidate will be expected to lead an innovative research program, bridging disciplines across engineering science to address challenges in emerging technologies. They will foster collaborative and interdisciplinary research; articulate a strategic plan for advancing a world-class research program that aligns with ongoing initiatives within the university and engages with local, national, and international networks. The candidate will actively collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and industry partners, teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervise and mentor Master's and Ph.D. students, and provide service to the University and the broader community.
How To Apply
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To apply, applicants should submit all required documents in separate PDF files to the online application system:
- A cover letter (up to two pages) that addresses the full scope of the job requirements
- An up-to-date, full curriculum vitae (no page limit, include details of research and teaching, scholarly record, funding, and list of collaborations/partnerships)
- A research statement and explanation (up to four pages) of how the research aligns with the 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan of SFU
- A teaching portfolio (up to four pages) including a statement of teaching philosophy and experience, including experience with and understanding of inclusive teaching and diverse student needs, as well as other evidence of teaching strengths
- Two examples of major refereed published scholarly work
- The name and contact information for six potential referees who meet the CRC Program’s conflict of interest requirements. One of them should be able to discuss teaching capabilities.
- And complete the Applicant Demographic Survey administered by the Equity Office. Candidates who do not complete the Applicant Demographic Survey will not be considered for this position
SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, leave due to illness) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions have had an impact on their career. SFU also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, and nontraditional areas of research and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.
Applications received by April 30, 2025 will be given full consideration, however the position will remain open until filled. We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible, if you require accommodations, please contact edi@sfu.ca. Any general inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to enscdsec@sfu.ca.
Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of associate professor is $160,142.00 to $185,584.00 (subject to experience and inclusive of Market Differential). Candidates with experience commensurate with higher ranks may also be considered for appointment at the full professor rank. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for a faculty position at the rank of full professor is $179,225.00 to $211,027.00 (subject to experience and inclusive of Market Differential).
The position is subject to the availability of funding and to final approval by the University Board of Governors and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS). The Canada Research Chair is tenable for seven years and may be renewed once, subject to the Chairholder demonstrating that they have achieved their objectives from their first term. Interested applicants are invited to review the initial appointment and chair renewal details of the CRC Program.
SFU offers several benefits and services aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible campus community for faculty; please see the Faculty Relations, Benefits and Service page for more details. SFU is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you have questions about SFU benefits, services, accommodations policies, please contact a Faculty Relations Advisor. For equity considerations, please contact the Director Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the SFU Equity Office for Faculty.
Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice.
