The University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sustainable Catalyst Design. The successful candidate will join the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) in the Faculty of Science with a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Full Professor.

Overview

The successful candidate will lead a world-class, creative, collaborative research program focused on the design, synthesis, study, and applications of catalysts and technologies that enable sustainable chemical transformations. They will bridge and enhance synergies between catalysis, inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and materials science, and are encouraged to integrate experimental, computational, and artificial intelligence approaches to catalyst design. The chairholder will collaborate with the ca. 40-member Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation (CCRI) and contribute to research advances at the forefront of catalysis. 

Their program will align with uOttawa's Strategic Areas of Research, tackling challenges and opportunities facing the world in the 21st century, including the circular economy and waste valorization. These aspects are expected to enrich their undergraduate and graduate teaching in inorganic and organometallic chemistry and catalysis. 

The successful candidate will have access to outstanding laboratory and office space, and state-of-the-art experimental facilities. The University’s infrastructure, supported by recent Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) grants, is ideally suited for advanced catalysis research. New CRC nominees are also eligible for additional CFI support to acquire essential equipment.

Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of the nation`s capital and in close proximity to multiple national agencies, the University of Ottawa is one of Canada's top ten research-intensive universities. It is recognized as the first and largest bilingual university in North America and offers strong connections to organizational, government and policy interest holders.

Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable once, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. For each Tier 1 Chair, the institution receives $200,000 annually for seven years. Nominees for Tier 1 Chair positions must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. New CRC nominees are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work. 

Deadline: October 26, 2025

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

To apply, we invite you to merge the various sections of your application into a single PDF file, which you can then upload to the Careers website. However, if you encounter any problems submitting your application, you can send it to the following email address: [email protected]

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please address your cover letter to the following person:

Dr. Julie St-Pierre, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
University of Ottawa
550 Cumberland St., room 246
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA

For questions, please email: [email protected]

Ad posted on August 26, 2025.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.

In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 175-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides second-language training to staff members and their spouses.