Job Description

Acknowledging that UPEI is located on the unceded land of the Mi\'kmaq Nation, of the Wabanaki Confederacy, in the traditional district of Epekwitk, the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) welcomes applications from exceptional candidates for a tenure-track faculty appointment (academic rank to be determined) to an Industry Research Chair in sustainable food automation. All candidates with relevant expertise in any of the following, or similar, research areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Mechatronics and robotization in the food industry
• Control engineering for food sorting and packaging
• Automatic process control and optimization of thermal and cooling systems
• Smart sensor technology for automated food processing
• Machine vision for food quality control and safety inspection

The anticipated start date of this appointment is September 1, 2023, or as soon after as possible.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an ongoing, world-class program of research and scholarly work with close collaborations with industry and other relevant partners. The successful candidate is expected to attract external funding, to supervise graduate students and other highly qualified personnel, to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses, to contribute to ongoing curriculum development, and to fulfill service obligations to both the Faculty and the University. The successful candidate will benefit from a reduced teaching load and funding for research and scholarly work. Finally, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

Appointment rank, step and salary are commensurate with credentials and experience. Full-time, permanent faculty receive a comprehensive fringe benefits package including group life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental health, travel insurance, pension, and long-term disability insurance. This appointment is subject to final budgetary approval.

About our Program

The FSDE is committed to developing engineers with exceptional design and professional skills combined with a global perspective - engineers who are broadly capable, globally and socially aware, creative, communicative, and entrepreneurial. Sustainable design engineers are problem solvers. They use design skills, engineering knowledge, math and science to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to modern-day problems. A sustainable solution is one in which all factors and stakeholders are considered. It goes beyond just providing an innovative, efficient, attractive, on-time, and on-budget solution. It also considers how such goals are achieved and their impact on people, the environment and society. The FSDE aspires to develop and mentor graduates who embody these ideals.

The teaching model used in the FSDE\'s undergraduate program is unique in Canada. It is based on an innovative design clinic model that is integrated throughout all years of the program. In the design clinics, students are immersed in hands-on, project-based, experiential learning while working on real projects for a wide range of people from the community, municipalities, government, industry and others. The program provides students with a solid technical foundation which supports the development of their design skills. As part of the teaching model, the program also demands that students learn and exhibit the professional skills necessary to succeed as an engineer.

The FSDE\'s capacity in research and scholarly work and in graduate programming is also rapidly expanding. We currently offer both a MSc and PhD program in Sustainable Design Engineering. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and scholarly work with national and international partners with significant support from industry, tri-council funding and other federal funding programs. Much of this activity is highly interdisciplinary in nature and reaches beyond the current focus areas of the undergraduate program: mechatronics, bioresources and sustainable energy.

The FSDE is housed in a cutting-edge 7,000 square-meter facility specifically designed to foster innovation and industry-university collaboration. With a view of enhancing the student learning experience, the facility represents a move away from the traditional classroom and includes design studios, ideation spaces, well-equipped workshops and laboratories and a large range of supporting staff. To better foster industry collaboration and partnerships, the new facility is home to a number of facilities closely aligned with the FSDE\'s three focus areas.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have an earned a doctoral degree in an engineering discipline that is closely aligned with the areas identified above (e.g. interdisciplinary or electrical, mechanical, mechatronics/robotics, process, chemical, systems, industrial engineering) . Industry experience, or advanced skills gained through collaborative work with industry, including proficiency in engineering design; collaborative R&D projects; entrepreneurship; technology transfer, licensing and commercialization; and intellectual property, will be considered a strong asset. Additionally, the successful candidate must be eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer (or Engineer-in-Training) in the Province of Prince Edward Island and must receive full registration as a professional engineer within five years of initial appointment to the position.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must submit to the individual listed below, a cover letter citing the competition number listed above, a full curriculum vitae, and a list of three (3) referees including an email address for each. Additional statements, as indicated below, must also be submitted for the application to be considered complete.

A statement outlining the candidate\'s overall teaching philosophy and methodology, and their experience with and plans for hands-on, experiential-based learning, engineering design education and the development of innovative teaching methods.

A statement of research and scholarly work outlining the candidate\'s plan for establishing a foundation for an enduring and productive involvement in engineering research and scholarly work over the next five years in sustainable food automation. A strong track record of (or clear plan for) securing funding through industry partnership programs or tri-council programs is essential.

A one-page statement on how the candidate will implement the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in their teaching, research and scholarly work.

An application package including and addressing all of the elements listed above must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to:

Dr. Wayne Peters, P.Eng.
Interim Dean
Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 4P3
Telephone: (902) 566-0764
E-mail:

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Review of applications will begin on July 14, 2023; however, if necessary, the competition will remain open until the position is filled.

University of Prince Edward Island