Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader. Assistant or Associate Professor in Sustainable Transportation Futures

Posting Date: October 21, 2026
Closing Date: December 13, 2026
 

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta is seeking applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in sustainable transportation futures. 

This Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader position is associated with Dr. Susan Shaheen’s Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Sustainable Transportation Futures at the University of Alberta.

Salary and research support will be specified in the appointment offer. The successful candidate will establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, supervise students and other highly qualified personnel, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration across the Faculty, the University, and with external partners. Applicants whose work connects transportation technologies with energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, logistics, digital systems, policy, or community needs are particularly encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of clean, resilient, accessible, and globally competitive transportation through cutting-edge research and education.

The successful candidate will hold an academic appointment in the Faculty of Engineering, with an academic home determined according to the candidate’s expertise and alignment with one of the Faculty’s five departments.

Priority Areas of Research

Applications are invited from candidates whose research advances sustainable, resilient, and inclusive transportation systems. Areas of interest include clean transportation technologies and energy systems involving electrification, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, critical minerals, vehicle-grid integration, and distributed energy resources; the decarbonization of difficult-to-electrify freight, aviation, marine, and long-distance transportation systems; and next-generation aviation and autonomous air systems for passenger transportation, freight, defence, and rural or northern mobility. Additional areas of interest include climate-resilient transportation and energy infrastructure, smart charging, multimodal logistics, low-emission supply corridors, Arctic and northern supply chains, first- and last-mile transportation, and accessible mobility for rural, remote, underserved, older, and disabled populations. Research may integrate technology development and testing with systems modelling, lifecycle and environmental assessment, infrastructure planning, safety, regulatory and policy analysis, community acceptance, affordability, accessibility, equity, public health, and economic competitiveness.

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program Eligibility and Appointment

Applicants must:

• Have been both working and residing outside Canada on July 1st, 2026
• Be within five years of the start of the first appointment permitting independent research as of that date, with adjustments for eligible career interruptions and part-time appointments under the program’s rules.
• Be able to begin full-time employment at the University of Alberta no later than July 1st, 2027.

Successful nominees will be appointed at the University of Alberta as:

• Assistant or Associate tenure-track Professor
• Successful nominees will be expected to start their position within 12 months of accepting the award.
• The award value is $100,000 per year over six years and is renewable up to six additional years at the same amount.
• Chairholders will be required to take up their appointment on a full-time basis.

The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that life circumstances (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, COVID-19 impacts, etc.) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Please consult the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and application requirements.

The Role and Responsibilities

The Assistant Professor role is the starting point on the academic faculty member career pathway at the University of Alberta. Faculty members are full members of the department and play an active role in democratic processes and governance. The responsibilities of the role include active participation in teaching, research, and service:

• Teaching: Participation in teaching programs, including classroom teaching, supervision of students conducting research, and personal interactions with and advising students. An Academic Faculty member may decide on specific course content and instructional methodology, recognizing the approved course description, and academic policies approved by the Department, the Faculty, and the University. Teaching is year-round with most courses in the Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) semesters. Teaching assignments are decided in discussion with the Department Chair. As the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board accredits the undergraduate degree programs in our Faculty, licensure as a Professional Engineer or Licensee in Alberta is required. Licensure must be obtained within five years of the hire date.  
• Research: Participation in research, including the preparation or performance of creative works and reflective inquiry, and disseminating research results by means appropriate to the discipline. Academic Faculty members are encouraged to seek funding for research from granting agencies or other sources.
• Service: An Academic Faculty member shall be actively engaged in service to the University and participate in the collegial responsibilities of departmental, Faculty, and University governance. Provision of service to the discipline of the Academic Faculty member; participation in the governance of the University, the Faculty, and the Department, and dissemination of knowledge to the general public by making available the Academic Faculty member’s expertise and knowledge of the discipline.

The Department Chair supervises Faculty Members. Annually, Faculty Members prepare and submit a report of their university responsibilities to the Department Chair and the Dean. 

Applicants whose work connects transportation technologies with energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, logistics, digital systems, policy, or community needs are particularly encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of clean, resilient, accessible, and globally competitive transportation through cutting-edge research and education.

About the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program

Launched in December 2025, the Impact+ Emerging Leaders program is a one-time national initiative designed to support Canadian institutions in growing and sustaining a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the Government of Canada to address pressing domestic and global challenges. While distinct from the senior research chairs, the successful ECR nominee will be expected to establish an independent program of research that leverages potential synergies and collaborations with incoming institutional Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (CIRC) to accelerate the translation of discoveries into tangible social, environmental, and economic solutions.

About the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Alberta

The Faculty of Engineering aims to maintain its position among the top schools in North America. We will do this through innovation and excellence from faculty members and staff who value collaboration, interdisciplinary work, and an engaging and positive work culture. We are dedicated to building a better future for society by:

1. Building the future through people in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
2. Developing minds and hands with heart by taking a holistic approach to provide an exceptional student experience through education and enrichment that strives to develop the highest-calibre engineers: Those who possess both technical acumen and emotional intelligence, expanding the traditional definition of “engineering”
3. Demonstrating the ever-expanding value of our contributions through community engagement, research impact, and value to society
4. Uniquely positioning the engineering field to help uplift the whole of humanity

The University of Alberta exists to inspire and ignite the human spirit in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Its work is rooted in a commitment to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered while honouring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures and world views. As one of the world’s top 100 teaching and research universities, the U of A ranks among the Top 4 in Canada, providing a $19.4 billion annual economic impact in Alberta alone. The U of A seeks to challenge, to change and to always be Leading with Purpose.

More than 46,000 students and 14,000 staff shape the U of A, with outstanding achievements in learning, research, creativity, innovation and engagement across five campuses — including one rural and one francophone. The U of A attracts top talent in rigorous undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in 17 faculties across three colleges and more than $621 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A has more than 340,000 alumni worldwide, with alumni-founded companies generating more than $250 billion in annual revenue. 

Working and Living in Edmonton

Benefits, Health, & Wellness

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account, parental leave, and pension benefits. For Faculty members, some moving and relocation expenses may be reimbursed. Spouses/partners may be offered employment services through the University’s Spousal/Partner Employment Program. The campus offers a medical clinic, and multiple childcare and housing options within steps of campus. Academic faculty members are offered parental and medical leave, retirement benefits, and healthcare benefits. The Faculty of Engineering values families and aims to minimize long-distance separation when possible through our spouse/partner hiring practices.

Living in Edmonton

Edmonton is home to over one million people and Alberta’s capital. Edmonton offers a vibrant start-up and technology ecosystem, federal and provincial government offices, and the Corporate Offices of the provincial healthcare system. The city offers the amenities of a large urban centre while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Several faculty members live in nearby neighbourhoods with a range of multi-family and single-family housing options within walking and biking distance of the University. Alberta is among Canada’s top provincial school systems with several primary and secondary schools near campus. Edmonton is known internationally for its thriving arts and festival scene with one of North America’s largest stretches of urban parkland, and top-ranked health care services.

Minimum Qualifications for the Faculty of Engineering Appointment

1. A Ph.D. in Engineering, or a closely related field, is required.
2. Experience in effectively communicating the results of research within and outside of the academy, including publications in reputable, peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
3. Licensure, progress towards licensure, or eligibility for licensure as a Professional Engineer or Licensee in Alberta is required through the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA, https://www.apega.ca/). Licensure must be obtained within five years from the date of hire.
4. Ability to effectively develop, instruct, and engage learners in the engineering curriculum.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The Following are Considered an Asset

1. Industry experience in engineering, trades, sciences, and technology industries
2. Experience with interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects as well as with managing large, multi-year research projects
3. Experience working with industry and community partners for research projects
4. Team, lab, and facility management experience, including but not limited to safety, supervision, and procurement
5. Teaching experience and training in teaching, lesson planning, and curriculum design
6. Teaching, research, service, and volunteer work related to the role as well as community boards and organizations and outreach to and helping in underserved and underrepresented communities
7. Grant application and financial management experience and training

How to Apply

Please ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria above. To apply, please select the Apply Now icon below and submit the following in ONE PDF document:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae, including your research, teaching, and service experience related to the role and responsibilities, as well as the qualifications above
3. Research Plan (maximum 3 pages) that outlines main areas of current research and short and long-term research goals, and how you will build and retain a high-performing and diverse research team. Please include your plans for design of the research environment and the team, and for equitable opportunities for all members of the team to engage with the work being conducted and other opportunities that will advance their career goals, and up to 3 recent peer-reviewed research publications
4. Teaching Dossier including
   1. Teaching philosophy (maximum 3 pages), including how you will contribute to our culture of providing exceptional educational experiences that focus on learner engagement and inclusivity, experiential and active learning while building engineering knowledge and skills as well as emotional intelligence, social mindedness, and ethics, and
   2. Evidence and potential for teaching effectiveness, such as related training, teaching assistantships, courses instructed, recent course evaluations, and example course outlines for courses you delivered as an instructor.
5. The names of at least three referees. Letters will be requested only from candidates selected for interviews.
6. Members of selection committees will be aware of the principles of employment equity, fair selection, and the risks of bias. If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.
7. Self-Identification Questionnaire: All applicants are required to complete the University’s self‐identification questionnaire.
   1. Please complete the University’s self-identification questionnaire at the time of application. For any questions or concerns, please contact equity@ualberta.ca.

Next Steps

• Posting Date: October 21st, 2026. Closing date: December 13th, 2026. Review of applications will begin after the closing date. The latest start date for this position is July 1st, 2027. University representatives will review application packages, and should the Hiring Committee advance your application, you will be contacted for an online pre-interview.
• Please note that applications with missing information or components will not be considered.

For applicants selected for interviews, three letters of reference will be requested. Applicants will be expected to contact the three referees and arrange to have them submit their letters of reference via email attachment. Details will be provided to those candidates selected for interviews.

Questions

We welcome inquiries of all kinds about the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders competition. Candidates who have questions are encouraged to reach out directly to Dr. Samer Adeeb, Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at adeeb@ualberta.ca for academic-related questions.

Please include “Impact+” in the subject line of your email to help ensure your inquiry is directed appropriately.

Applicants who require an accessibility arrangement for their application, interview, and/or subsequent recruitment meetings can contact Bernice Gartner at enghrsp@ualberta.ca to arrange appropriate accommodations.

The selection process will be governed by the Impact+ recruitment requirements as well as requirements for recruitment and nomination process of the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program.

This role is subject to the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation, which includes a two-stage affirmation process. Should you affirm your First Nation, Métis, or Inuit citizenship or membership, you will be required to participate in a document verification process and asked to submit supporting documentation confirming citizenship, membership, or the right to be registered as such in an Indigenous collective in Canada, prior to nomination if you are deemed meritorious for the opportunity. Such an affirmation is optional and not a prerequisite for consideration for this opportunity.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive market salary.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.