Job Description

Date Posted: 06/17/2026
Req ID: 48633
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Acceleration Consortium
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00056239
Existing Vacancy: Yes

The Acceleration Consortium at the University of Toronto invites applications for a Research Associate (Limited Term) for a 1-year appointment. The anticipated start date is August 1st 2026.

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). 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.

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) promotes an inclusive research environment and supports the EDI priorities of the unit.

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.

This posted position is for a role within the AC’s SDL1 (Inorganic Materials).

Supporting and under the guidance of Staff Scientists / Senior Staff Scientist, the Research Associate is expected to carry out and contribute to research projects, by way of their expertise, in the areas below.

• Apply machine learning methods to experimental datasets and train models for autonomous materials discovery workflows.
• Establish systematic data collection, curation, and management practices across synthesis, processing, and characterization workflows.
• Operate, maintain, and improve characterization workflows involving XPS, XRD, SEM, and related tools.
• Develop robotic and automated workflows to enable reproducible, high-throughput materials characterization.
• Work closely with scientists to advance characterization, data interpretation, and application demonstration testing across projects.
• Support the development, integration, and continuous improvement of automated inorganic materials discovery platforms.

Applicants should apply online at the link below and include a covering letter, curriculum vitae and three reference names with their contact addresses and phone numbers. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to Sean Caffrey (sean.caffrey@utoronto.ca).

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education - PhD in Materials Science and Engineering or equivalent

Experience – Minimum 1 year of experience in conducting research projects in inorganic and soft materials synthesis and characterization

Skills – Inorganic and soft materials synthesis and characterization (spectroscopic and electrical), x-ray diffraction experimental workflow develop and analysis

Additional skills required include project management, leadership and interpersonal skills to assist in the guidance and implementation of the research project that is comprised of a multi-disciplinary and international team of scholars.

Closing Date: 06/26/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $53,520 - $100,350
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.