Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Geological Engineering

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Geological Engineering. The salary range for the Assistant Professor rank is $105,000 to $125,000 per year. The start date for the appointment can be as early as July 1, 2027.

We seek an outstanding scholar whose research encompasses the areas of geological engineering, engineering geology, or rock mechanics, with applications to geological hazards, environmental remediation and protection, sustainable development of natural resources, or climate change.

Applicants must have a PhD in Geological Engineering, Engineering Geology, Engineering, Earth Sciences or a closely related field and a strong track record of scientific and/or engineering achievements, as demonstrated by publications in leading journals, and a proven aptitude for interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate is expected to supervise undergraduate and graduate students and establish an internationally recognized, and independently funded research program that will enhance and complement the research and education activities of EES. The successful candidate will be eligible for and expected to apply for professional licensure (Professional Engineers Ontario) within three years of beginning the position.

The successful candidate will have a record of teaching excellence and experience with course design and innovative teaching practices. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory and advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in Earth engineering, engineering geology, rock mechanics, and other topics in support of the Geological Engineering program that is administered jointly with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering). Applicants must have excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to teaching. The University of Waterloo greatly values faculty members who implement innovative learning methods and actively participate in curriculum development.

EES has internationally recognized research and teaching strengths in groundwater, biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, ecohydrology, Earth’s surface system, applied and engineering geology, isotope geochemistry and hydrology, the solid Earth, and aviation. With 24 faculty members, about 100 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research associates, more than 400 undergraduate students in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Aviation, and about 80 Geological Engineering students, EES is one of the largest and most interdisciplinary geoscience departments in Canada.

The successful candidate will develop strong research synergies within EES and take full advantage of the extensive collaborative opportunities available beyond the Department. The Department attracts outstanding Canadian and international applicants to its graduate programs. Currently, EES has a Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate, two Canada Research Chairs, and three University Research Chairs. EES researchers collaborate with other units within the Faculty of Science and other faculties at the University of Waterloo. The successful candidate will have extensive collaborative opportunities through participation in university-wide research institutes (including the Water Institute, Climate Institute, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics, and Artificial Intelligence Institute), and initiatives, such as those catalyzed by the Global Futures Office, which includes Sustainable Futures.

The closing date for applications is January 5, 2027. Applications must include:

• A cover letter describing how your expertise, proposed research program, and teaching interests align with the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching and mentoring statement (maximum 3 pages) describing your teaching philosophy, relevant experience, and how you would foster an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible learning environment
• Research statement (maximum 3 pages, plus 1 additional page of references) describing your proposed research program
• Up to three examples of published or in-press refereed publications
• Names and full contact information for at least three references

All application material, including the names of referees, should be uploaded to https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca. Applications should be addressed to: Dr. Brian Kendall, Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. Questions regarding the position, application process, assessment process, or eligibility may be directed to Dr. Brian Kendall (bkendall@uwaterloo.ca).

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.

The Faculty of Science is the first faculty at the University of Waterloo to have an embedded Indigenous Initiatives Office. Science Indigenous Initiatives serves as a central hub for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students, researchers, faculty, and staff, along with allies within the Faculty of Science. Our office works to provide the community with guidance, support, and resources to strengthen our shared vision of reconciliation.

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 Meredith Miller (meredith.miller@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.