Position Title / Rank: Chair, Department of Chemistry, (Tenured, Internal University of Guelph Applicants Only)
Department: Chemistry
Position Description:
The College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences (CCMPS) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair, Department of Chemistry, open to internal applicants at the Associate or Full Professor rank. The initial appointment is for five years, with the possibility of a one-term renewal. The anticipated start date is May 18, 2026.
Recently celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Department of Chemistry continues its strong traditions as an innovative, research-intensive, and student-centred academic unit comprising 34 faculty and staff and supporting approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students within its program. The department also plays a vital role in Guelph’s comprehensive training by delivering high-quality chemistry education to nearly 8,000 undergraduate students across multiple colleges and degree programs. The department delivers a suite of undergraduate programs—Chemistry, Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biomedical Toxicology, and the interdisciplinary Physical Sciences major—providing strong experiential and research-based training. Graduate offerings include MSc and PhD degrees in Chemistry, participation in the Collaborative Specialization in Toxicology, and the forthcoming course-based Master of Toxicology (MTOX).
Chemistry’s research expertise spans Analytical, Biological, Computational, Electrochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, Physical, and Theoretical Chemistry, supported by exceptional infrastructure including the NMR Centre, the Centre for Electrochemical Technology (ETC), advanced thermochemistry and high-pressure facilities, and mass spectrometry instrumentation. Chemistry plays a central role in CCMPS, contributing foundational expertise to the College’s focus on science and technology education, interdisciplinary training, and data-rich scientific discovery.
The Chair is responsible for the effective, efficient, and collegial operation of the department, providing administrative leadership while fostering academic excellence in the department's research and teaching programs. Human and financial resource management and the ability to engage faculty, staff, and students in developing and implementing new initiatives are important components of the role. The Chair will lead and model an inclusive workplace culture, integrating IEDI principles in policy and practice.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, resourceful, and compassionate leader with a vision that sparks innovation in research, learning, and teaching within the department. The preferred candidate should exhibit strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, have a successful track record of academic administration and leadership experience, and possess the ability to build strong relationships both within the University of Guelph and with external groups.
The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward I It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.
The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 140,000 people, located about an hour's drive west of Toronto, Ontario. The University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrollment of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.
Application Process
As a current employee of the University of Guelph, you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)
Assessment of applications will begin following the deadline and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants for the advertised position (Requisition ID #2040) by submitting the following materials online (in an integrated single PDF FIle):
Applications should be addressed to Dr. Stacey Scott, Interim Dean, CCMPS. If you have questions about the recruitment process, please email
[email protected].
Date Posted: December 18, 2025
Deadline: January 20, 2026, or until a suitable candidate is found.
This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).
The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”
The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting
[email protected]. The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process.
