CERC in Precision Materials Chemistry

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Precision

Materials Chemistry

Faculty of Arts and Science

Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

May 8, 2025

Description

The Queen’s University Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Arts and Science welcomes

applications from outstanding established scholars in the area of Precision Materials Chemistry.

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program awards world-renowned researchers

and their teams $8 million or $4 million over 8 years to lead ambitious research programs in

areas that align with the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I)

priority areas. Canada Excellence Research Chairs are among the most prestigious research

positions available globally, offering chair holders the opportunity to grow their impact by

launching ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. The CERC program stands at the

centre of a national strategy to attract the world’s top researchers, building a critical mass of

expertise to further Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation.

Successful nominees will build upon a core of research excellence at Queen’s University,

expanding their research program to advance the frontiers of research on a global scale.

CERC recruitment is a multi-stage process, where applicants first apply to a nomination posting at

the institution. Select nominees will work in partnership with Queen’s to apply to the 2026 CERC

competition. Interested applicants are invited to review the full program details. In addition,

Queen’s University will provide substantial institutional support in the co-preparation and co

development of the program application.

Research Alignment

The Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2

MCI) is a Tier 1 research institute at Queen's University

funded through a transformative New Frontiers in Research Fund grant. Key partners of the

institute include the University of Toronto, University Health Network, McGill University, Western

University and Concordia University. C2

MCI membership boasts 10 Canada Research Chairs and

multiple prestigious national chairs. Institute goals include the design and application of novel

organic-on-metal materials that survive and function in extreme environments. This includes

nanomaterials employed in advanced medical imaging and treatment regimens that encompass

high levels of radiation exposure as needed during cancer treatments or advanced imaging

modalities. Robust organic coatings for applications in the harsh environment of semiconductor

manufacturing processes are another key area of research. Finally, state-of-the-art organic

coatings for metal surfaces that survive extreme environments due to the presence of a covalent

bond to the metal are being investigated as new approaches to corrosion prevention.

The successful candidate for the C2

MCI CERC position will be a world-class scholar in one the

following three research areas:

1. Precision Nanomedicine and Nanomaterials:
The development and application of novel

nanomaterials for precision nanomedicine.

2. Micro Materials and Innovations:
The synthesis and characterization of innovative

advanced materials and their deposition methods such as atomic layer deposition (ALD)

for microelectronics manufacturing.

3. Innovative Advanced Materials for Macro Applications:
The synthesis, characterization,

and deposition of novel molecular coating materials that reduce corrosion of metals used

for transportation and energy infrastructure, including, metals used for green energy

storage and transportation.

In addition to leading an internationally recognized, world-leading research program that focuses

on one of the above three areas, the successful candidate will have a proven ability to collaborate,

a demonstrated ability to lead major research grants/networks, and a track record of successful

support of highly qualified personnel.

The successful CERC candidate will be expected to play a leadership role nationally through their

own program and at the C2

MCI, enhancing the success of the institute and the university,

providing world-class research opportunities to graduate, undergraduate and postdoctoral

researchers, and…