Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader. Assistant or Associate Professor in Sustainable Transportation Futures

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alberta invites applications for a full‑time tenure‑track Assistant or Associate Professor in sustainable transportation futures within the Faculty of Engineering. The successful candidate will develop an independent, externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, supervise students, and collaborate across disciplines and external partners.

The appointment, at an academic home determined by expertise, emphasizes interdisciplinary delivery across five

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience communicating research results in peer‑reviewed venues.
• Licensure, progress towards licensure, or eligibility for licensure as a Professional Engineer in Alberta (APEGA). Licensure must be obtained within five years.
• Ability to develop, instruct, and engage learners in the engineering curriculum.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Teaching: classroom instruction, supervision of student research, and advising.
• Research: pursue funded research and dissemination of results.
• Service: contribute to department, faculty governance, and community engagement.

Skills

Communication skills

Teaching experience

Independent research

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Engineering or closely related field

Job description

Job Description

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta is seeking applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in sustainable transportation futures.

Salary and research support will be specified in the appointment offer. The successful candidate will establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, supervise students and other highly qualified personnel, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across the Faculty, the University, and with external partners. Applicants whose work connects transportation technologies with energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, logistics, digital systems, policy, or community needs are particularly encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of clean, resilient, accessible, and globally competitive transportation through cutting‑edge research and education.

The successful candidate will hold an academic appointment in the Faculty of Engineering, with an academic home determined according to the candidate’s expertise and alignment with one of the Faculty’s five departments.

Priority Areas of Research

Applications are invited from candidates whose research advances sustainable, resilient, and inclusive transportation systems. Areas of interest include clean transportation technologies and energy systems involving electrification, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, critical minerals, vehicle‑grid integration, and distributed energy resources; the decarbonization of difficult‑to‑electrify freight, aviation, marine, and long‑distance transportation systems; and next‑generation aviation and autonomous air systems for passenger transportation, freight, defence, and rural or northern mobility.

Additional areas of interest include climate‑resilient transportation and energy infrastructure, smart charging, multimodal logistics, low‑emission supply corridors, Arctic and northern supply chains, first‑and last‑mile transportation, and accessible mobility for rural, remote, underserved, older, and disabled populations. Research may integrate technology development and testing with systems modelling, lifecycle and environmental assessment, infrastructure planning, safety, regulatory and policy analysis, community acceptance, affordability, accessibility, equity, public health, and economic competitiveness.

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program Eligibility and Appointment

Applicants Must

• Have been both working and residing outside Canada on July 1st, 2026
• Be within five years of the start of the first appointment permitting independent research as of that date, with adjustments for eligible career interruptions and part‑time appointments under the program’s rules.
• Be able to begin full‑time employment at the University of Alberta no later than July 1st, 2027.

Successful nominees will be appointed at the University of Alberta as:

• Assistant or Associate tenure‑track Professor
• Successful nominees will be expected to start their position within 12 months of accepting the award.
• The award value is $100,000 per year over six years and is renewable up to six additional years at the same amount.
• Chairholders will be required to take up their appointment on a full‑time basis.

The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that life circumstances (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, COVID‑19 impacts, etc.) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Please consult the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and application requirements.

The Role And Responsibilities

The Assistant Professor role is the starting point on the academic faculty member career pathway at the University of Alberta. Faculty members are full members of the department and play an active role in democratic processes and governance. The responsibilities of the role include active participation in teaching, research, and service:

• Teaching: Participation in teaching programs, including classroom teaching, supervision of students conducting research, and personal interactions with and advising students. An Academic Faculty member may decide on specific course content and instructional methodology, recognizing the approved course description, and academic policies approved by the Department, the Faculty, and the University. Teaching is year‑round with most courses in the Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) semesters. Teaching assignments are decided in discussion with the Department Chair. As the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board accredits the undergraduate degree programs in our Faculty, licensure as a Professional Engineer or Licensee in Alberta is required. Licensure must be obtained within five years of the hire date.
• Research: Participation in research, including the preparation or performance of creative works and reflective inquiry, and disseminating research results by means appropriate to the discipline. Academic Faculty members are encouraged to seek funding for research from granting agencies or other sources.
• Service: An Academic Faculty member shall be actively engaged in service to the University and participate in the collegial responsibilities of departmental, Faculty, and University governance. Provision of service to the discipline of the Academic Faculty member; participation in the governance of the University, the Faculty, and the Department, and dissemination of knowledge to the general public by making available the Academic Faculty member’s expertise and knowledge of the discipline.

The Department Chair supervises Faculty Members. Annually, Faculty Members prepare and submit a report of their university responsibilities to the Department Chair and the Dean.

Applicants whose work connects transportation technologies with energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, logistics, digital systems, policy, or community needs are particularly encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of clean, resilient, accessible, and globally competitive transportation through cutting‑edge research and education.

About the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program

Launched in December 2025, the Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one‑time national initiative designed to support Canadian institutions in growing and sustaining a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the Government of Canada to address pressing domestic and global challenges. While distinct from the senior research chairs, the successful ECR nominee will be expected to establish an independent program of research that leverages potential synergies and collaborations with incoming institutional Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (CIRC) to accelerate the translation of discoveries into tangible social, environmental, and economic solutions.

About the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Alberta

The Faculty Of Engineering Aims To Maintain Its Position Among The Top Schools In North America. We Will Do This Through Innovation And Excellence From Faculty Members And Staff Who Value Collaboration, Interdisciplinary Work, And An Engaging And Positive Work Culture. We Are Dedicated To Building a Better Future For Society By

• Building the future through people in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment
• Developing minds and hands with heart by taking a holistic approach to provide an exceptional student experience through education and enrichment that strives to develop the highest‑calibre engineers: Those who possess both technical acumen and emotional intelligence, expanding the traditional definition of “engineering”
• Demonstrating the ever‑expanding value of our contributions through community engagement, research impact, and value to society
• Uniquely positioning the engineering field to help uplift the whole of humanity

The University of Alberta exists to inspire and ignite the human spirit in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Its work is rooted in a commitment to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered while honouring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures and world views. As one of the world’s top 100 teaching and research universities, the U of A ranks among the Top 4 in Canada, providing a $19.4 billion annual economic impact in Alberta alone. The U of A seeks to challenge, to change and to always be Leading with Purpose.

More than 46,000 students and 14,000 staff shape the U of A, with outstanding achievements in learning, research, creativity, innovation and engagement across five campuses — including one rural and one francophone. The U of A attracts top talent in rigorous undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in 17 faculties across three colleges and more than $621 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A has more than 340,000 alumni worldwide, with alumni‑founded companies generating more than $250 billion in annual revenue.

Working and Living in Edmonton

Benefits, Health & Wellness

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account, parental leave, and pension benefits. For Faculty members, some moving and relocation expenses may be reimbursed. Spouses/partners may be offered employment services through the University’s Spousal/Partner Employment Program. The campus offers a medical clinic, and multiple childcare and housing options within steps of campus. Academic faculty members are offered parental and medical leave, retirement benefits, and healthcare benefits. The Faculty of Engineering values families and aims to minimize long‑distance separation when possible through our spouse/partner hiring practices.

Living in Edmonton

Edmonton is home to over one million people and Alberta’s capital. Edmonton offers a vibrant start‑up and technology ecosystem, federal and provincial government offices, and the Corporate Offices of the provincial healthcare system. The city offers the amenities of a large urban centre while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Several faculty members live in nearby neighbourhoods with a range of multi‑family and single‑family housing options within walking and biking distance of the University. Alberta is among Canada’s top provincial school systems with several primary and secondary schools near campus. Edmonton is known internationally for its thriving arts and festival scene with one of North America’s largest stretches of urban parkland, and top‑ranked health care services.

Minimum Qualifications For The Faculty Of Engineering Appointment

• A Ph.D. in Engineering, or a closely related field, is required. This is a requirement of the Faculty of Engineering and not of the Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program.
• Experience in effectively communicating the results of research within and outside of the academy, including publications in reputable, peer‑reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
• Licensure, progress towards licensure, or eligibility for licensure as a Professional Engineer or Licensee in Alberta is required through the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA, https://www.apega.ca/). Licensure must be obtained within five years from the date of hire.
• Ability to effectively develop, instruct, and engage learners in the engineering curriculum.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The Following are Considered an Asset

• Industry experience in engineering, trades, sciences, and technology industries
• Experience with interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects as well as with managing large, multi‑year research projects
• Experience working with industry and community partners for research projects
• Team, lab, and facility management experience, including but not limited to safety, supervision, and procurement
• Teaching experience and training in teaching, lesson planning, and curriculum design
• Teaching, research, service, and volunteer work related to the role as well as community boards and organizations and outreach to and helping in underserved and underrepresented communities
• Grant application and financial management experience and training

Questions

We welcome inquiries of all kinds about the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders competition. Candidates who have questions are encouraged to reach out directly to Dr. Samer Adeeb, Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at [e-mail] for academic‑related questions.

Please include “Impact+” in the subject line of your email to help ensure your inquiry is directed appropriately.

Applicants who require an accessibility arrangement for their application, interview, and/or subsequent recruitment meetings can contact Bernice Gartner at [e-mail] to arrange appropriate accommodations.

The selection process will be governed by the Impact+ recruitment requirements as well as requirements for recruitment and nomination process of the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program.

This role is subject to the Tri‑Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affimation, which includes a two‑stage affirmation process. Should you affirm your First Nation, Métis, or Inuit citizenship or membership, you will be required to participate in a document verification process and asked to submit supporting documentation confirming citizenship, membership, or the right to be registered as such in an Indigenous collective in Canada, prior to nomination if you are deemed meritorious for the opportunity. Such an affirmation is optional and not a prerequisite for consideration for this opportunity.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure‑track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive market salary.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross‑section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more .

This position requires that the incumbent be eligible to participate in government‑funded research projects including active ability to receive federal research funds on behalf of the university. Individuals having an active affiliation with a Named Research Organization are ineligible to participate in government‑funded research projects in Sensitive Technology Research Areas in Canada. Applicants must be able to meet all applicable research security requirements.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms – physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l’université à postuler.