Tier 1 or Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Geoscience of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future

The College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan is pleased to invite applications for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Geoscience of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future . The Canada Research Chairs Program is the flagship of a national strategy to make Canada a world-leading country in research and development and is committed to addressing Research Chair equity gaps. 

Global transitions toward clean energy systems and advanced technologies are rapidly increasing demand for the critical minerals, necessitating secure, reliable, and ethical sources of critical minerals to advance economic, environmental, and social priorities and to help achieve sustainable development goals. Canada hosts an enormous variety of critical mineral deposits across its vast area, and twenty-three of Canada’s thirty-one critical minerals are found in Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is a major hub for the mining sector in Canada and is home to Canada’s first rare-earth-element processing facility and Canada’s only synchrotron facility. These and other factors make the University of Saskatchewan an ideal location for critical-minerals research.

This Canada Research Chair in Geoscience of Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future aims to attract an outstanding geoscientist uniquely positioned to advance understanding of critical mineral systems. The ideal candidate will conduct fundamental research applicable to various stages in the life cycle of critical minerals, from mineral exploration through mine reclamation, or secondary sources of critical minerals including mining wastes. The candidate's research may employ field, laboratory, or modelling approaches and will benefit from access to advanced analytical capabilities housed on the University of Saskatchewan campus, including the Saskatchewan Isotope Laboratory , the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre , the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, and the Saskatchewan Research Council .

The successful nominee will initiate and lead an innovative and impactful research program based in the Department of Geological Sciences . They will develop collaborations with private and public sector partners, enhance existing expertise on energy and mineral resources, and support knowledge mobilization within and beyond academia. This nominee will contribute to research and teaching in the Department of Geological Sciences and will help advance strategic priorities of the department, college, and university, including the University's “Energy and Mineral Resources for a Sustainable Future” signature area of research. They will benefit from new funding and partnership opportunities through the recently announced Global Institute for Energy, Minerals, and Society , which is a joint research and training initiative between the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Government of Saskatchewan.

The Department of Geological Sciences is recognized internationally for research and training excellence. Our faculty, students, and staff explore physical, chemical, and biological processes that have shaped our planet over the last 4.6 billion years. Our research and training advances fundamental and applied geoscience knowledge within three themes: (i) Biological and Environmental Co-evolution of Earth; (ii) Dynamics of Earth System Processes in Modern and Deep Time; and (iii) Mineral and Energy Resources for a Sustainable Future. Collaboration with current department members represents an opportunity to harness collective expertise to pursue critical-minerals research.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD in the geosciences (i.e., Geology, Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Environmental Geoscience) or a closely related field. They should possess outstanding research potential or demonstrate research excellence through academic recognition, impactful publications, successful partnerships, and trainee achievements. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of, or potential to, secure external research funding and exhibit capacity for effective undergraduate teaching and graduate training. Applications from all outstanding candidates, including international researchers, permanent residents of Canada, and Canadian citizens are encouraged.

Tier 1 Chairs are intended for outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have had a major impact in their field and are recognized internationally as leaders in their field. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars who have less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process.

Please consult the CRC website for eligibility details or contact the University's Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) unit for more information ([email protected] ). The impact of leaves (e.g., parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record of research achievement. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted their research record.

The successful applicant will be appointed as a tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level (Tier 2), or as a tenured faculty member at the Associate Professor or Professor level (Tier 1). This applicant will be nominated for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Canada Research Chair and their appointment will be in the College of Arts and Science.

A competitive salary commensurate with experience and appointment will be negotiated. A stipend with guaranteed funding for equipment, infrastructure, and training will be provided following a successful CRC nomination. This position also includes a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities. Its main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis and in Saskatoon, a city on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River known for its quality of life, diverse and thriving economic base, vibrant arts community, full range of leisure opportunities, and relatively low cost of living among major Canadian cities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their application using the University’s online application portal . Click on the “Apply Now” button (top left side of the page) to submit an application. Visit the Tips for Applying page for instructions on how to apply. As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to complete a voluntary employment equity survey.  

Complete applications will include the following:

·       Cover Letter

·       Curriculum Vitae

·       Research Statement: This statement (1 to 2 pages) should describe the applicant's most significant contributions, current lines of enquiry, and future research directions.

·       Teaching Statement: This statement (1 to 2 pages) should describe the applicant’s teaching philosophy, methods, and experience.

·       References: Contact information for three academic references.

Applicants should describe how equity, diversity, and inclusion principles support their innovative and impactful research and enhance training and learning outcomes.

Applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. However, the review of applications will commence on August 19, 2024, and the anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace. The candidate must be a member of one of the four federally designated equity groups (women and gender equity-seeking groups, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities) . Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/index-eng.aspx ) and by the strong commitment of the University of Saskatchewan and College of Arts and Science to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting employees in need of accommodation in an employment context. For more information on the University of Saskatchewan’s accommodation policy, please contact Abdur Rehman Ahmad, Talent & EDI Consultant ([email protected]).

For questions related to this position or the selection process, please contact Dr. Matthew Lindsay ([email protected]), Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Faculty Lead for this search.