Description
The Department of Systems Design Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo is inviting applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of a tenured full professor and is expected to have a distinguished record of teaching and research, be a person of academic stature, appointed for her/his intellectual and administrative abilities and qualities of leadership. The first term of office for a department chair is four years, renewable for four years. Following the appointment as Chair, the appointee will assume regular faculty member duties within the Department.
Home to 930 undergraduate students,230 graduate students, 16 staff, and 41 faculty members, the Department is a unique and innovative research and learning environment centered around the use of systems design methodology to engage in technical, environmental, socioeconomic, health and political aspects of the engineering process to better understand and change the world.
Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo offers co-operative education undergraduate degrees in both Systems Design Engineering and in Biomedical Engineering, as well as Master and Ph.D. programs, attracting the best and brightest students from across Canada and around the world. Additionally, the department is home to the Centre for Society, Technology and Values (CSTV) which explains and examines social aspects of technology and technological change. The Department’s success has led to rapid growth, with several new faculty hires over the past few years that have shaped the Department's research agenda and expertise to align with emerging research areas. The world-class research of our faculty and students is spurring innovation in a diversity of transdisciplinary methodological and application areas that include:
1) biomedical systems
2) intelligent and automated systems
3) human factors and interfaces
4) physical and mechatronics systems
5) societal and environmental systems.
Details of our vibrant research culture are available at https://uwaterloo.ca/systems-design-engineering/research-areas.
The University of Waterloo is a world leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. Located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, just west of Toronto, our researchers and students benefit from close connections with Canada's highest concentration of high-technology and manufacturing companies, as well as University of Waterloo's unique intellectual property policy, which vests the rights with the inventor. QS World University Rankings has recognized the Waterloo Faculty of Engineering as amongst the top 40 engineering schools worldwide.
The Department is keen to continue to advance its position and profile, educating first rate engineers and highest calibre researchers in Systems Design Engineering. The Chair will lead the Department in implementing its strategic plan for education and research, and will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the Faculty of Engineering with the opportunity to guide future hiring of upcoming and vacant positions. The successful applicant will have a relevant PhD degree, and is expected to hold an engineering license for practice in Canada or be eligible to apply for an engineering license with Professional Engineers Ontario immediately upon appointment.
The salary range for the position is $180,000 to $250,000. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.
To apply, please submit your full application package at https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/job-details/128
Applications and nominations should include:
- a detailed curriculum vitae
- a brief statement of administrative, teaching and research experience
- references
The successful candidate is expected to take office by January 1, 2027. The committee will begin to review complete applications upon receipt, however, to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by September 30, 2026. The Search Committee is committed to respecting the confidentiality of applicants. Applications should be addressed to: Dr. Mary Wells, Dean, Faculty of Engineering.
Hiring is subject to budgetary approval.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Mr. Fred Zhu, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering at fred.zhu@uwaterloo.ca.
If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Mr. Fred Zhu, Executive Officer, Faculty of Engineering at fred.zhu@uwaterloo.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
