CERC in Precision Materials Chemistry

Queen's University; Kingston; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen’s University is seeking applications for the prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair in Precision Materials Chemistry. The appointee will lead major research initiatives in areas like precision nanomedicine and advanced materials, contributing significantly to the global research community while fostering collaboration across various disciplines.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead major research grants/networks.
• Proven track record of supporting highly qualified personnel.

Responsibilities

• Lead internationally recognized research programs.
• Enhance success of the institute and provide research opportunities.

Skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Tenured Professor qualifications

Job description

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Precision

Materials Chemistry

Faculty of Arts and Science

Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

May 8, 2025

Description

The Queen’s University Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Arts and Science welcomes

applications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Precision Materials Chemistry.

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program awards world-renowned researchers

and their teams $8 million or $4 million over 8 years to lead ambitious research programs in

areas 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 research

positions available globally, offering chairholders the opportunity to grow their impact by

launching ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. The CERC program stands at the

centre of a national strategy to attract the world’s top researchers, building a critical mass of

expertise 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 at

the institution. Select nominees will work in partnership with Queen’s to apply to the 2026 CERC

competition. 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 co

development of the program application.

Research Alignment

The Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2MCI) is a Tier 1 research institute at Queen's University

funded through a transformative New Frontiers in Research Fund grant. Key partners of the

institute include the University of Toronto, University Health Network, McGill University, Western

University and Concordia University. C2MCI membership boasts 10 Canada Research Chairs and

multiple prestigious national chairs. Institute goals include the design and application of novel

organic-on-metal materials that survive and function in extreme environments. This includes

nanomaterials employed in advanced medical imaging and treatment regimens that encompass

high levels of radiation exposure as needed during cancer treatments or advanced imaging

modalities. Robust organic coatings for applications in the harsh environment of semiconductor

manufacturing processes are another key area of research. Finally, state-of-the-art organic

coatings for metal surfaces that survive extreme environments due to the presence of a covalent

bond 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 the

following three research areas:

1. Precision Nanomedicine and Nanomaterials: The development and application of novel

nanomaterials for precision nanomedicine.

2. Micro Materials and Innovations: The synthesis and characterization of innovative

advanced 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 used

for transportation and energy infrastructure, including, metals used for green energy

storage and transportation.

In addition to leading an internationally recognized, world-leading research program that focuses

on 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 successful

support of highly qualified personnel.

The successful CERC candidate will be expected to play a leadership role nationally through their

own program and at the C2MCI, enhancing the success of the institute and the university,

providing world-class research opportunities to graduate, undergraduate and postdoctoral

researchers, and contributing to the research capacity of the institute and university by assisting

with and leading major operating and infrastructure grants.

The C2MCI supports collaborations across multiple departments at Queen's, including Chemical

Engineering, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Surgery, Chemistry, Art Conservation, the

Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Oncology, Engineering Physics and Astronomy and the Queen's

Cancer Research Institute (QCRI). The QCRI is home to the Canadian Cancer Trials group, which

oversees national and international clinical trials from phase 1-3, in addition to assessing new

cancer agents, novel surgical procedures and new radiation treatments. Based on research

alignment, the successful candidate will have considerable opportunities to collaborate with

partner 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's

top research intensive Universities such as McGill University, the University of Toronto, Western

University, Simon Fraser University and international, research intensive universities.

A successful nominee will be an outstanding scholar with a world-class reputation and must

possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed1 at the rank of tenured Professor. The

program 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-time

academic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible to be nominated; however, they may

not be nominated by the institution at which they currently hold their appointment. If an

1 Appointments are subject to review and final approval by the Provost. Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed

by a Collective Agreement between the University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), which is posted

at 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#6

https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moas

http://www.qufa.ca/

institution nominates a researcher who is currently at a Canadian institution, the nominating

institution must demonstrate the net benefit to the country in moving the researcher from one

Canadian institution to another. Successful nominees will have up to 12 months to take up their

appointment as chairholder at the host institution after the Notice of Award has been accepted by

the nominating institution and the nominee.

Queen’s University is committed to excellence in research and research training for the benefit of

Canadians 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 of

diversity is a socially responsible approach that actively removes discrimination and barriers to

inclusion to provide benefits that reach beyond our institution. At Queen’s, we recognize that

diversity advances research for the greater good by valuing alternate perspectives, thereby

unlocking creative potential and stimulating novel collaborations. Queen’s is strongly committed

to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from

Black, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and

2SLGBTQ+ persons.

About Queen’s University

From Nobel Prize-winning research exploring the building blocks of the universe to cancer care

and treatment to sustainable technologies, Queen’s University is tackling humanity’s most

pressing challenges. A member of the U15 group of Canadian research universities, Queen’s is

home to a vibrant research community that includes 48 Canada Research Chairs, two Canada

Excellence Research Chairs, and over 20 research institutes who work in partnership with

communities, governments, and industry to advance research and innovation, making a

measured impact on Canada and the world. Queen’s is in the top 200 of the QS World University

Rankings. In 2024, for the fourth year in a row, Queen’s ranked in top 10 globally of the Times

Higher Education Impact Rankings. The rankings measured over 2,100 post-secondary institutions

from 125 countries on their work to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs).

How to Apply

A 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 alignment

o track-record of mentorship and training highly qualified personnel

o potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international

research ecosystem

ii) a full curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, awards and grants received); and

iii) 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 family

members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID 19 impacts) are often an

expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominee’s record of research

achievement. These impacts will be given careful consideration during the assessment process.

Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or

career interruptions.

Note nominations will be subject to the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology

Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), which applies to this funding opportunity.

To apply, please email your complete application package to: [e-mail].

Closing Date: Posted for a minimum of 30 days with the possibility of extension until positions

are filled.

Note this posting may be used to identify Tier 1 Canada Research Chair nominees or named

chairs of similar value.

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including

accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require

accommodation during the interview process, please contact Ms. Jennifer Miller in the Vice-Principal,

Research Portfolio, at [e-mail].

Queen’s University is situated on the traditional Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee territory. Ne Queen’s

Anishinaabe aking.

https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/sensitive-technology-research-and-affiliations-concern

https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/sensitive-technology-research-and-affiliations-concern

mailto:[e-mail]