McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and, within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

Position Description

The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University is expanding its recruitment in the area of biosensing and diagnostics to enhance and broaden the research impact of the current Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Nano-Optical Biosensing and Molecular Diagnostics Program, led by Dr. Niko Hildebrandt.

The Faculty of Engineering is inviting applications for up to two tenured or tenure-track research positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, based on commensurate experience. The selected candidates will establish their own independent research programs in areas that complement the CERC program. The positions will be filled across multiple departments within the Faculty of Engineering and will be located on the main university campus, beginning on or after July 1, 2027. In their applications, applicants should specify their preferred home department (Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Materials Science and Engineering or Mechanical Engineering). Applicants may identify more than one potential home Department.

Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, McMaster Engineering has a long history of excellence in cutting edge research, student-focused education, innovative programs, leading faculty, and achieving students. We integrate experiential learning into every facet of the student journey, offer Canada’s largest undergraduate research program, vibrant co-op opportunities, and much more. With 210 faculty members, about 8,500 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students, we are a world-class centre for academic excellence and innovation. 

McMaster ranks among the top 100 public universities globally and, through our cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, we are advancing human and societal health and well-being in our community and around the world. We are pioneers of problem-based learning, evidence-based medicine and home to the largest university-based nuclear research reactor in Canada. McMaster is one of Canada’s most research-intensive universities, where faculty and students work across disciplines to find creative solutions to the complex problems of our time.”

Discover more of what McMaster Engineering and the Hamilton area can offer to academic professionals and their families by reviewing the Information Guide highlighting our research excellence, family-friendly resources and rich local culture. Opportunities for continuous personal and professional growth are also made available through our Faculty’s Fireball Academy and the MacPherson Institute.

Successful Candidates

We seek talented and dynamic candidates that will contribute to the excellence of the Faculty of Engineering in research, teaching, and service. We will consider exceptional candidates in all areas relevant to the CERC’s program in the general area of biosensing and diagnostics. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Design and fabrication of nanomaterials and devices for optical sensing
• AI for diagnostics and sensing
• Applied molecular diagnostics
• Advanced microscopy
• Functional nucleic acids and sensing

Successful candidates must hold a PhD in Engineering (preferably), Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Applied Mathematics or a related field and a preferred minimum of three years post-doctoral experience. Candidates must have a track record of inclusive research excellence and must have demonstrated potential to collaboratively establish an internationally recognized research program that aligns with the strategic research plans of McMaster University

(https://research.mcmaster.ca/home/strategic-research-plan-2024-2029/) and its Faculty of Engineering (https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/). The successful candidates’ research programs will align with the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Nano-Optical Biosensing and Molecular Diagnostics (https://nanofret.com) by providing complementary skills and expertise in the research fields mentioned above. The successful candidates will attract, develop and retain excellent trainees/students/researchers; lead a team which commits to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity (EDII) practices; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering; and provide service to McMaster and the wider community.

Applicants should also possess outstanding leadership and communication skills, a commitment to excellence in service, and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. All candidates will be expected to participate in the normal administrative, educational, and professional activities of the Department, Faculty and University. Applicants are expected to have licenses for the practice of engineering in Canada or the ability and eligibility to apply for an engineering license with the Professional Engineers of Ontario within three years.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence.  In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration, and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. 

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities (“visible minorities”), persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

We invite all applicants to complete a brief Diversity Survey as part of the application process.  It takes approximately two minutes to complete. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer.  All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process.  Inquiries about the Diversity Survey may be directed to hr.empequity@mcmaster.ca.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Office of the Dean of Engineering at 905-525-9140 ext. 24900 to communicate accommodation needs.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following materials through the University’s electronic portal: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/current-opportunities/ Job Opening# 78498 by Monday, October 4, 2026 to:

Carlos Filipe, Associate Dean Research

Faculty of Engineering

McMaster University, JHE A201D/A

Hamilton, ON Canada L8S 4L8

A cover letter that may include a short description of the impact that career interruptions have had on research productivity, if applicable. In this letter, suggest one or more possible home departments within the Faculty of Engineering, that would best align with your research (1-2 pages)

• curriculum vitae 
• statement on research interests (1-2 pages)
• a selection of recent research publications (3)
• statement on teaching interests and philosophy (including evidence of teaching effectiveness) 
• statement on contributions to inclusive excellence in teaching, research, and service, including a description of how you will advance the University’s commitment to building an inclusive community and to fostering a culture which embraces and promotes the rich diversity of the campus community (2 pages) 
• the name, title, phone number, and email address for at least three (3) referees who are not in a conflict of interest. Letters of reference are not required at the time of application. The Department will request letters of recommendation from referees at later stages of the search process.

McMaster University recognizes the potential impact that career interruptions and personal circumstances (e.g., pregnancy, early childcare, eldercare, illness, etc.) can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their applications the impact that career interruptions or other issues may have had. 

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The effective date of appointment is negotiable, but July 1, 2027 is preferred. All applicants will receive an online confirmation of receipt of their application; however, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews. Direct any inquiries about this position to adreng@mcmaster.ca.  

The starting salary of an Assistant Professor will not be less than $94,167, and will be determined based on rank, discipline, experience, and qualifications. The starting salary of an Associate Professor will not be less than $116,663, and will be determined based on rank, discipline, experience, and qualifications. Salaries for faculty members progress through a Career Progress/Merit Plan; average salaries by rank and Faculty for previous academic years can be found here. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University gathers information about applicants’ status as either a permanent resident of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements:

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Questions regarding the above requirements or any accommodation requests through the recruitment process can be directed to hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.