Job Description

Date Posted: 05/21/2026
Req ID:48181
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Dept of Mechanical & Industrial Eng
Campus St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

The Centre for Advanced Coating Technologies (CACT) in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is seeking to fill a Senior Research Associateposition. The research group conducts research in the areas of advanced coating technologies, thermal spray processing, cold spray additive manufacturing, solid-state battery materials, and functional coatings.

The Research Associate will work directly under the supervision of Prof. Ali Dolatabadi on projects related to advanced materials processing and coating technologies where they will develop and execute the research vision with the PI to achieve research goals. The individual is expected to publish both at conferences and in journals and supervise research students.

This role is an on-site, office- and laboratory-based position. The successful candidate must be available to work in research laboratories and coating facilities, as the position requires hands-on involvement with a variety of overlay coating and deposition technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• PhD degree in Mechanical, Materials, or Chemical Engineering or relevant disciplines.

Works experience:

• Minimum of five years of experience in thermal spray and surface coating technologies is required, including at least three years of academic research experience involving coordination of Master’s and PhD students and support of research projects in the field of advanced coating technologies.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in thermal spray and particle deposition technologies, including Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS), RF plasma, Suspension Plasma Spray (SPS), Solution Precursor Plasma Spray (SPPS), High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spray (HVOF), wire arc spray, cold spray (CS), and powder synthesis. Experience with one or more of these technologies is considered an asset.
• Experience with heat treatment and post-processing of coatings and advanced materials, as well as coating characterization using techniques such as SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, hardness testing, surface roughness/profilometry, adhesion testing, or related methods.

Skills:

• Strong technical and analytical skills in thermal spray and surface coating technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to design, optimize, and troubleshoot coating and additive manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success in preparing manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, scientific abstracts, and research proposals, as well as collaborating with academic, industrial, and government partners.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and supervise graduate students effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and work environment.

Closing Date: 05/29/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea:Research Assoc
Appointment Type Grant - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R02 -- Sr. Research Associates $62,617 - $109,373 - $127,112 (open)
Job Category: Engineering / Technical