Staff Research Scientist - Toronto, Canada - University of Toronto

University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Verified Company
Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Sophia Lee

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Sophia Lee

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Description

Date Posted:09/11/2023


Req ID:33896


Faculty/Division:
Faculty of Arts & Science


Department:
Acceleration Consortium


Campus:
St. George (Downtown Toronto)


Description:

**_


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


These include:

  • Inorganic solid-state materials
  • Organic small molecules for advanced materials
  • Drug discovery with chemical probes
  • Formulations for pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and coatings
  • Biocompatibility (organ-on-a-chip)
  • Synthetic scale-up of materials and molecules

This role is for a Staff Research Scientist within SDL4: Polymers.

Expertise in one or more of the following areas is desired:
Polymer expertise

  • Highthroughput polymer synthesis and processing
  • Structural, electrochemical, and/or (opto)electrical characterization of polymers
  • Physical, theoretical and/or computational polymer chemistry and physics
  • Applied polymer expertise in electrochemical energy storage, sustainability and recycling, formulations, optoelectronics, and more
Artificial intelligence / automation expertise

  • Machine learning in polymer science
  • Robotics and automation
  • Experimental planning and design/optimal control
  • Programming and highperformance computing
  • Cheminformatics


The Staff Research Scientists will work with a diverse team of leading experts at U of T, including: Professors Helen Tran and Dwight Seferos.

We are hiring both Staff Scientists and Staff Research Scientists. While Staff Scientists are expected to have 5 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**Working with the AC community, including faculty and partners, to determine the required capabilities of the SDLs to be built. Developing the plans for SDLs that will meet user requirements and designing novel instruments for automated material synthesis and characterization. Developing customized hardware and Python software packages to build SDLs. Selecting, procurement, and installation of the equipment required for SDLs.

- **Research Direction**Tasks include:
  • Implementing research and development projects of AC's industry partners when implemented in AC labs.
  • Developing plans that support research collaborations and planning and estimating financial resources required for programs and/or projects.
  • Working with Product Managers to ensure research outcomes meet partner requirements.
  • Promoting AC's research capacity, including delivering presentations at conferences.
  • Collaboration in the preparation and submission of research proposals to granting agencies and progress reporting.
  • Preparing manuscripts for submission to peerreviewed publications/journals and stewarding them through the process.

- **Other*
  • Support researchfocused events such as the Annual Symposium.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:


Education - Ph.
D. in life sciences, chemistry, or related discipline


Experience

  • 1 to 5 years of experience (inclusive of PhD and/or postgraduate work) in accelerated research and development with demonstrated academic and research excellence.
  • 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 selfdriving 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 peerreviewed journals.

Closing Date:12/31/2023, 11:59PM ET


Employee Group:
Research Associate


Appointment Type:
Grant - Term (2 years term with possibil

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