Schlegel Chair in Technology for Healthy Aging

 

The Department of Systems Design Engineering (SYDE) in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, eager to strengthen its partnership with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), is proud to announce a tenure-stream search for the Schlegel Chair in Technology for Healthy Aging.

The successful candidate will demonstrate foundational engineering research; an understanding of the complexities of introducing technology to meet the particular needs of seniors; an aptitude for real-world implementation, co-designing, and co-creation; and awareness and familiarity with developing, testing, and transferring technology within the ecosystem of healthcare. The winning candidate will possess a strong interest in studying the social and ethical considerations around technology and aging.

The new Schlegel Chair will conduct transdisciplinary research into—and design systems, processes, and policies related to — subjects such as human factors of technology use by seniors, sensor and device design, wearable technologies, smart homes for seniors including remote sensing, body-ware networks, rehabilitation engineering, intelligent assistive devices, and IoT for seniors.

The Schlegel Chair in Technology for Healthy Aging will engage campus-wide and with the RIA, home to 14 Schlegel Research Chairs and Specialists (www.the-ria.ca/researcher) who conduct research directly relevant to the care and quality of life for older adults in such fields as geriatric medicine, pharmacy, primary care, nutrition, mobility and nursing. Schlegel Chairs are supported in mobilizing knowledge and coordinating research in real-world settings by the RIA team. RIA is a designated Centre for Learning, Research, and Innovation in long-term care in Ontario. A unique research partnership for community-based research and co-design with Schlegel Villages provides a full range of high-quality independent living, assisted living and long-term care for approximately 5,000 older adults in 19 locations across Ontario (www.schlegelvillages.com).

SYDE, with more than 1,000 students and 42 dedicated faculty is uniquely positioned to support this Schlegel Chair. Some of UW’s most successful entrepreneurs graduate from Systems Design Engineering. Its faculty members develop design- and system-focused curriculum and conduct world-leading research in socio-environmental systems, human

factors, as well as mechatronic and physical systems. SYDE hosts UW's Biomedical Engineering program and the Centre for Society, Technology and Values (CSTV). The opportunity exists for the Schlegel Chair to serve a leadership role with CSTV.

The University of Waterloo has 42,000 students and 220,000 alumni in 151 countries. Waterloo is Canada’s largest engineering school and ranks among the top 50 engineering schools worldwide. Waterloo Engineering boasts over $96 million of research funding per year. Waterloo is home to 74 Canada Research Chairs and is well-known for its 100% creator-owned IP policy. Operating world-renowned cooperative education programs, UW partners with more than 7,000 employers in six countries. The University of Waterloo covers 1,000 acres in the heart of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (regional population 600,000), an hour west of Toronto, with its global-hub airport.

While it is expected that the Schlegel Chair will be hired as an Associate Professor, applications are also invited for Assistant or Full Professors. Only candidates with a PhD degree who are eligible to be licensed as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario within the first three years of employment will be considered. While all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Schlegel Research Chair is 50% funded through the Schlegel-UW RIA. Duties include teaching two courses each year, with 70% of the time protected for research and graduate student supervision, and 10% devoted to service (half in partnership with the RIA). The salary range is $160,000 to $200,000. Salary outside this range may be considered for more junior and more qualified or experienced candidates.

The University of Waterloo regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. As such, we encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. At Waterloo, you will have the opportunity to work across disciplines and collaborate with an international community of scholars and a diverse student body, situated in a rapidly growing community that has been termed a “hub of innovation.”

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.

The closing date for applications is May 14, 2021.

The anticipated hiring date is September 1, 2021 but is negotiable depending on circumstances.

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, eligibility, or a request for accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Lisa Aultman-Hall, Department Chair, laultman@uwaterloo.ca.

Interested candidates should submit the following pdf documents: 1) a cover letter, 2) a research statement including goals, outcomes and output over 5-years, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy and interests, 4) a current curriculum vitae, 5) up to three pdfs of journal articles in a related field, and 5) the names and contact information for at least three references to:

Email: syde-hr@uwaterloo.ca

Please use the SUBJECT LINE “Schlegel Research Chair”

Further information regarding the application package is available

at https://uwaterloo.ca/systems-design-engineering/positions

More information about the department and university is available

at http://systems.uwaterloo.ca/.

More information about the Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is available at https://the-ria.ca/.