Description

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in Quantitative and AI-enabled Electron Microscopy for Quantum and Advanced Materials

October 23, 2026

McMaster University, Faculty of Engineering

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’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering at McMaster University invites applications from exceptional emerging scholars for the position of Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader in Quantitative and AI-enabled Electron Microscopy for Quantum and Advanced Materials. This is a tenure-track position with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, located on the main university campus, to begin no later than July 1, 2027. This position builds on the excellence of the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) as a global leader in materials characterization, electron microscopy and imaging. The successful candidate will be an Early Career Researcher as defined by the Tri-Agency and will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (tenure-track or tenured) commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders is a $120 million investment by the Government of Canada to help institutions recruit more internationally based early career researchers in areas of strategic priority. Emerging Leaders are expected to have an independent program of research, with potential for impact through collaborations with, but not limited to, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs (formerly known as Canada Impact+ Research Chairs). The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader award provides $100,000 per year for six years, with the possibility of a six-year extension, subject to the requirements of the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program.

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader candidates must:

•        be internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) as of July 5, 2026;
•        be excellent emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated research creativity;
•        have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years;
•        have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers;
•        be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality; and
•        be willing and able to start the position, on a full-time basis, by July 1, 2027.

Successful Candidates

The Faculty of Engineering is seeking talented and dynamic candidates that will contribute to the excellence of the Faculty of Engineering in research, teaching, and service. Exceptional candidates in all areas relevant to the program “Quantitative and AI-Enabled Electron Microscopy for Quantum and Advanced Materials” in the general area of activity of the CCEM will be considered. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

•        Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) for atomic-scale chemical, phonon, and electronic structure analysis
•        Atom probe tomography (APT) for three-dimensional, atomic-scale compositional mapping
•        Use of machine learning and AI to enable automated electron microscopy and correlative workflows
•        Correlative, cross-modality characterization workflows to solve materials problems

The Faculty of Engineering requires that successful candidates hold a PhD in Engineering (preferably), Chemistry, Physics, or a related field and a preferred minimum of three years post-doctoral experience. Candidates must have demonstrated effective teaching, 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 program will align with the Eddie Goldberg Research Chair in Quantitative and AI-Enabled Electron Microscopy for Quantum and Advanced Materials 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.

About the University:
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. McMaster's main campus, located in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, Ontario, is comprised of 300 acres of scenic property at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Our 30-acre central core is designated for pedestrians and bicyclists. Nearby attractions include Cootes Paradise, the Bruce Trail, the Waterfront Trail, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Niagara Escarpment - a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2025). Home to 70 research centres and institutes, the University is comprised of six faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, and the Faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. Ranked second in the Canada for faculty research intensity (Research Infosource, 2025), we are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment where innovation and creativity thrive. With a diverse student population of more than 37,000, McMaster aims to serve the social, cultural and economic needs of our community and society at large by inspiring critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for lifelong learning.

McMaster has a vision to use our collective skills, knowledge, and understanding to improve the world and to make an impact in addressing the big issues we face. In committing to that vision, we are also focused on the promotion of inclusive excellence, recognizing the critical role that diversity of identity, background and perspective play in harnessing creativity and innovation, and the importance of building inclusive and collegial teams within our community.

About the Faculty of Engineering
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.

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 diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented, equity-seeking, rights-seeking populations, including racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

How to Apply

All materials must be submitted to the University’s electronic application portal on the McMaster Careers page (Mosaic Job posting ID 79277) by November 26, 2026, to ensure full consideration. The review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applications should be addressed to:

Joey Kish

Chair, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

McMaster University, JHE 357 Hamilton, ON Canada L8S 4L8

Applicants should submit:

•        A cover letter that may include a short description of the impact that career interruptions have had on research productivity, if applicable.
•        A full curriculum vitae;
•        A statement on research interests (1-2 pages);
•        A selection of recent research publications (3);
•        A statement on teaching interests and philosophy (including evidence of teaching effectiveness);
•        A statement on contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion 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); and
•        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 of Materials Science and Engineering will request letters of recommendation from referees at later stages of the search process.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. 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 [kishjr@mcmaster.ca].

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+.

The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants, in accordance with best practices. As part of McMaster’s efforts to fulfill our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity, all applicants will be required to submit a brief diversity survey, via the online application system, as part of the application process. While completion and submission of the survey is mandatory, applicants may decline to answer any of the questions. Applicant self-identification information is confidential, and access is limited and restricted to designated individuals. For more information, please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection. Should you have any further questions about the survey, please contact hr.empequity@mcmaster.ca.

McMaster University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID 19 impacts) are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage

candidates to explain in their applications the impact that career interruptions or other issues may have had, as described under “Career Interruptions” in the CRC program’s Guidelines for ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment and nomination process. Further detail may be found under Guidelines for Assessing the Productivity of Nominees. These impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Please note, a research security review of candidates being considered for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader position will be undertaken by McMaster University. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Government of Canada’s safeguarding your research website for further information on the identification and mitigation of security risks.

The starting salary of an Assistant Professor will not be less than $94,167, and the starting salary of an Associate Professor will not be less than $116,663. The salary 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.

As noted in our Accessibility Policy, McMaster University is committed to fostering a culture of accessibility, eliminating barriers, and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunities and access for individuals with disabilities. Applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the selection process are encouraged to contact Andrea Colbert-DeGeit in the Office of the Dean of Engineering at 905-525-9140 ext. 24900 or colbert@mcmaster.ca, or the Human Resources Service Centre at hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247) to communicate accommodation needs.

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.