Staff Research Scientist

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading a transformative shift in scientific discovery that will accelerate technology development and commercialization. The AC is a global community of academia, industry, and government that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, materials sciences, and high-throughput chemistry to create self-driving laboratories (SDLs), also called materials acceleration platforms (MAPs). These autonomous labs rapidly design materials and molecules needed for a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future, with applications ranging from renewable energy and consumer electronics to drugs. AC Staff Research Scientists will advance the field of AI-driven autonomous discovery and develop the materials and molecules required to address society’s largest challenges, such as climate change, water pollution, and future pandemics.

The Acceleration Consortium promotes an inclusive research environment and supports the EDI priorities of the unit. Hiring is occurring on a rolling intake. Please apply ASAP and do not wait for the listed job closing date.

The Acceleration Consortium received a $200M Canadian First Research Excellence Grant for seven years to develop self-driving labs for chemistry and materials, the largest ever grant to a Canadian University. This grant will provide the Acceleration Consortium with seven years of funding to execute its vision.

The AC is developing seven advanced SDLs plus an AI and Automation lab:

• SDL1 - Inorganic solid-state compounds for advanced materials and energy
• SDL2 - Organic small molecules for sustainability and health
• SDL3 - Medicinal chemistry for improving small molecule drug candidates
• SDL4 - Polymers for materials science and biological applications
• SDL5 - Formulations for pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and coatings
• SDL6 - Biocompatibility with organoids / organ-on-a-chip
• SDL7 - Synthetic scale-up of materials and molecules (University of British Columbia partner lab)

This posted position is for a role with SDL4 (Polymers).

Expertise that is desired:

• Polymer synthesis
• Synthesis and purification of polymers
• Combinatorial synthesis of sequence-defined polymers such as biopolymers

Additional expertise that is desired (but not required):

• Automation
• Robotics and automation
• Machine learning to accelerate the discovery of molecules and materials
• Experimental planning and design/optimization
• Programming and high-performance computing
• Developing polymer blends or composites for 3D printing, concrete, packaging or textiles
• Bioengineering applications using biologically relevant materials such as peptides, peptoids, chitosan or lignan

Staff Scientists will work with a diverse team of leading experts at U of T, including: Prof. Helen Tran, Prof. Dwight Seferos, and Acceleration Consortium Staff Scientists. We are hiring both Staff Scientists and Staff Research Scientists. While Staff Scientists are expected to have 5 or more years of post-PhD experience, individuals with a relevant Ph.D. and associated expertise can qualify for Staff Research Scientist.

The Staff Research Scientists involved in the AC are highly skilled and experienced researchers who will work independently to develop the AI and automation technologies required to build robust and scalable self-driving labs, manage these SDLs, and design and implement research programs (based on the direction of the AC’s scientific leadership team) that leverage the SDL platforms to discover materials and molecules. Moreover, the Staff Research Scientists will work collectively, sharing knowledge among each other, faculty, and trainees. This role will report to the Academic Director and Executive Director of the Acceleration Consortium.

The components and duties of the work can include:

• SDL and Automation Development
• Research Direction
• Other

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education – Ph.D. engineering, chemistry, physics, computer science, or related discipline

Experience

• 1 to 5 years of experience (inclusive of PhD and/or post-graduate work) in accelerated research and development in the area of polymer synthesis
• Experience working with industry partners and on industry lead research and development projects.
• Expert knowledge of AI and automation and experience with the development of self-driving laboratories
• Experience presenting research at academic conferences.

Skills

• Strong and effective communicator in oral and written English
• Collegial in working with team members and collaborators.
• Ability to work independently.

Other

• Must have a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated success in the writing and preparation of manuscripts, presentations, reports, briefs, and scientific abstracts and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Education, Research, and Science

Industries

Higher Education, Research Services, and Engineering Services