Job Board

Job Description

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver campus, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of integration and control of energy systems. The selected candidate will also be the holder of the Fred Kaiser Professorship in Integration and Control of Energy Systems at UBC for a specified term, renewable subject to a renewal process. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2024, or shortly thereafter.

The Fred Kaiser Professorship in Integration and Control of Energy Systems presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of energy systems that are pivotal for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This professorship is intended for researchers who are capable of establishing a research program at UBC that will address the complexities of sustainable energy sources, electric vehicles, and distributed power generation. The successful candidate will lead research in advanced power converters, controllers, and energy systems integration to convert intermittent raw power into reliable energy for cities, remote communities, and e-mobility. Furthermore, the professorship offers a unique opportunity for collaboration with the Fred Kaiser Chair in Power Conversion and Sustainability, facilitating synergistic initiatives that drive innovation and excellence. This role goes beyond traditional boundaries, emphasizing educational activities that extend outside the classroom, including the mentorship of student teams, promotion of interdisciplinary education, and active engagement in outreach initiatives.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent research program in the area of energy systems that complements the department’s existing strengths, assume teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the university and the community. The successful applicant should have a record of research excellence or the promise of establishing a distinguished record of research and publications, as well as a commitment to high quality education. In addition, the successful applicant should be able to demonstrate how their research seeks to advance methodological innovation through their approach to collaborative working between academic disciplines and/or with non-academic partners, and to impact contemporary societal challenges. Strong applicants are likely to be comfortable working with and learning from non-specialists in their field.

Applicants should hold a doctoral degree in electrical engineering by their anticipated start date and must be eligible to obtain a full or limited license with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia within five years of appointment.

In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

UBC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request such accommodations, please contact the Department Head, Dr. Lutz Lampe, at head@ece.ubc.ca.

To learn more about UBC’s Center for Workplace Accessibility, visit https://hr.ubc.ca/CWA.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

APPLICATION

All applications must be submitted online at https://apply.ece.ubc.ca. Applicants should submit:
— a cover letter describing your suitability for the position;
— a current curriculum vitae;
— a research statement describing your research expertise and experience, your research plan as a new faculty member, current and potential collaborators (at UBC and elsewhere), and potential sources of funding;
— a description of how your proposed research and educational activities are aligned with the stated mandate of the Fred Kaiser Professorship in Integration and Control of Energy Systems;
— a teaching statement describing your teaching philosophy (including specific examples that have informed your teaching philosophy), courses taught, teaching interests, and other educational activities;
— a diversity statement, addressing how you have been contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic environment, and will continue to do so at UBC;
— the names and contact information (including email addresses) of four referees who may be contacted to submit references.
The deadline for applications is December 3, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

CONTEXT: UBC DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

The University of British Columbia is a Tier One research university with over 55,000 students and 5,700 faculty, ranked among the top twenty universities in the world and the top three in Canada. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the largest academic units at UBC, with over 400 graduate students and 1,100 undergraduate students. Our department is anticipating significant renewal over the next few years as we strengthen key areas in high demand. Our research and teaching activities benefit from strong links to the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), the Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL), and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (QMI), as well as strong collaborations with the Department of Computer Science and other units within the Faculty of Applied Science. The department is situated on UBC’s Point Grey campus in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver is consistently rated as one of the world’s most livable cities. The University of British Columbia and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering acknowledge the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people on whose traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory the University resides.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, please visit https://ece.ubc.ca/. Please direct inquiries about the position and the application process to recruiting@ece.ubc.ca.