Research Associate (One-year Term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a skilled Materials Chemist to join their dynamic team. This role involves leading research on innovative energy conversion solutions, focusing on optimizing photocatalyst and photoreactor systems. The successful candidate will have a strong background in photocatalytic materials and will contribute to sustainability efforts through advanced research. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of energy technology, making a significant impact in the field while collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to excellence and innovation.

Qualifications

• PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship in photocatalytic materials chemistry required.
• 3-5 years experience in gas-phase heterogeneous photocatalysis research.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects and collect/analyze data.
• Optimize photocatalyst and photoreactor systems for energy efficiency.

Skills

Good communication skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Collaboration skills

Leadership skills

Experience with multi-technique diffraction

Experience with microscopy

Experience with spectroscopy

Experience with thermal and optical analytical methods

Modeling and design optimization

Education

PhD in photocatalytic materials chemistry

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Tools

Photocatalyst materials

Photoreactor design

Opto-chemical systems

Job description

Date Posted: 04/16/2025
Req ID:42571
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dept of Chemistry
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto (Lash Miller Building, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, CANADAM5S 3H6) invites applications for a Research Associate (Limited Term) for a 1-year appointment. The anticipated start date is November 28, 2025.

Job Description: Materials Chemist

We are seeking an experienced Materials Chemist with advanced scientific and technical expertise at both the graduate and post-graduate levels. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in the design, synthesis, modeling, fabrication, multi-technique analysis, and testing of photocatalyst and photoreactor architectures. This role involves optimizing the capture of incident light while minimizing parasitic light losses in the photocatalyst and photoreactor to drive gas-phase heterogeneous conversion of hydrogen carriers into hydrogen and valuable co-products.

Key responsibilities include ensuring high energy, carbon, and environmental efficiency, while prioritizing long-term stability and scalability of the photocatalysts and photoreactor systems. The successful candidate will lead the research project, conduct research, collect and analyze data and produce reports/papers.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team working on innovative solutions in energy conversion and sustainability.

Applicants should apply online at the link below and include a covering letter, curriculum vitae and three reference names with their contact addresses and phone numbers. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to Geoffrey Ozin at [e-mail].

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship in photocatalytic materials chemistry and photoreactor engineering for the production of solar chemicals and fuels

Experience

• Broad and deep knowledge base and demonstrated experience in the field of gas-phase heterogeneous photocatalysis research with at least 3-5 years expertise in photocatalyst materials and nanomaterials chemistry, photoreactor design, and opto-chemical systems.

Skills

• Good communication skills, team player, resourceful, attention to detail, collaboration and leadership skills
• Experience with multi-technique diffraction, microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal and optical analytical methods
• Proven ability to model, design and optimize systems for energy and carbon intensity, and environmental performance meeting some United Nations sustainability goals.
• Familiarity with the scalability and long-term stability and technoeconomic viability of materials and systems in catalytic industrial applications.

Closing Date:07/31/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $52,574 - $98,576
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].