Acknowledging that UPEI is located on the unceded land of the Mi’kmaq Nation of the Wabanaki Confederacy in the traditional district of Epekwitk, the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) welcomes applications from exceptional candidates for one (1) tenure-track faculty appointment in the area of Engineering Design. Recognizing that technology can have a range of impacts on people, the environment, and society, the successful candidate will have a background in, or an ability to contribute to, research, scholarly work, and teaching in areas such as design for sustainability, responsible design, interdisciplinary design methods, life cycle analysis, and design for the circular economy. The anticipated start date of this appointment is August 1, 2022, or as soon as is possible.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach across all years in the program including in the undergraduate design clinic courses and at the graduate program level, to maintain a strong program of research and scholarly work that includes the supervision of students, to contribute to ongoing curriculum development, and to fulfill service obligations to both the Faculty and the University. Finally, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

About our Program

The FSDE is committed to developing engineers with exceptional design and professional skills combined with a global perspective — engineers who are broadly capable, globally, and socially aware, creative, communicative, and entrepreneurial. Sustainable design engineers are problem solvers. They use design skills, engineering knowledge, math, and science to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to modern-day problems. A sustainable solution is one in which all factors and stakeholders are considered. It goes beyond just providing an innovative, efficient, attractive, on-time, and on-budget solution. It also considers how such goals are achieved and their impact on people, the environment and society.  The FSDE aspires to develop and mentor graduates who embody these ideals.

The teaching model used in the FSDE’s undergraduate program is unique in Canada. It is based on an innovative design clinic model that is integrated throughout all years of the program. In the design clinics, students are immersed in hands-on, project-based, experiential learning while working on real projects for a wide range of people from the community, municipalities, government, industry, and others. The program provides students with a solid technical foundation which supports the development of their design skills. As part of the teaching model, the program also demands that students learn and exhibit the professional skills necessary to succeed as an engineer.

The FSDE’s capacity in research and scholarly work and in graduate programming is also rapidly expanding. We currently offer both a MSc program and a PhD program in Sustainable Design Engineering. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and scholarly work with national and international partners with significant support from industry, tri-council funding, and other federal funding programs. Much of this activity is highly interdisciplinary in nature and reaches beyond the current focus areas of the undergraduate program: mechatronics, bioresources and sustainable energy.

The FSDE is housed in a cutting-edge 7,000 square-metre facility specifically designed to foster innovation and industry-university collaboration. With a view of enhancing the student learning experience, the facility represents a move away from the traditional classroom and includes design studios, ideation spaces, well-equipped workshops and laboratories and a large range of supporting staff. To better foster industry collaboration and partnerships, the new facility is home to a number of facilities closely aligned with the FSDE’s three focus areas.

Application Instructions:

The successful candidate must have an earned a doctoral degree in an engineering discipline that is closely aligned with engineering design. Experience in sustainable engineering and design approaches is essential. This may include, but is not limited to design for sustainability, responsible design, interdisciplinary design methods, life cycle analysis, and design for the circular economy. The successful candidate will also contribute to curriculum development in engineering design at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Experience in engineering design education in a project-based learning environment would therefore be considered an asset. Industry experience, or experience gained through collaborative work with industry, including experience in engineering design; collaborative R&D projects; entrepreneurship; technology transfer, licensing, and commercialization; and intellectual property, will be considered a strong asset. Additionally, the successful candidate must be eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer (or Engineer-in-Training) in the Province of Prince Edward Island.

Candidates must submit to the individual listed below, a cover letter citing the competition number listed above, a full curriculum vitae, and a list of three (3) referees including an email address for each. Additional statements, as indicated below, must also be submitted for the application to be considered complete.

A statement outlining the candidate’s overall teaching philosophy and methodology, and their experience with and plans for hands-on, experiential-based learning, engineering design education and the development of innovative teaching methods.

A statement of research and scholarly work outlining the candidate’s plan for establishing a foundation for an enduring and productive involvement in engineering research and scholarly work over the next five years. A strong track record of (or clear plan for) securing funding through industry partnership programs or tri-council programs is essential.

A one-page statement on how the candidate will implement the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in their teaching, research and scholarly work.

Appointment rank, step and salary are commensurate with credentials and experience. Full-time, permanent faculty receive a comprehensive fringe benefits package including group life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental health, travel insurance, pension, and long-term disability insurance. This appointment is subject to final budgetary approval.

An application package including and addressing all of the elements listed above must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to:

Dr. Wayne Peters, P.Eng.
Interim Dean
Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 4P3
Telephone: (902) 566-0505
E-mail: fsdewedesign@upei.ca

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Review of applications will begin on June 13, 2022; however, if necessary, the competition will remain open until the positions are filled.