The University of Prince Edward Island, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, has openings for one term-contract faculty appointment, with a 10-month duration starting July 1, 2026, or as early as possible thereafter, at the assistant professor level, as per the UPEI Faculty Collective Agreement.
Candidates must have the relevant background and experience to teach in any of the following areas: sustainable design, mechanics, materials, and thermos-fluids.
The successful candidate will be expected: to teach fundamental undergraduate courses; to contribute to ongoing curriculum development including the development of hands-on undergraduate laboratories; and to fulfill service obligations to both the Faculty and the University.
The successful candidate will be assigned the following courses (18 units)
ENGN-3710 Project-Based Pro Practice I
Building on previous design courses, this is the first of a series of upper-year design courses which simulate the practice of a professional engineer. Professional and technical skills are developed through problem-, activity-, and project-based learning. Teams work with industry partners to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to meet their engineering challenges. Following a design-build-test approach and best practices in project management and sustainability, teams develop detailed project proposals, conceptual designs, and proofs of concepts within the ethical and safety considerations that are fundamental to the profession. Concepts are further developed into operational prototypes in ENGN 3720. Six lecture hours and six hours of design studio per week.
ENGN-3720 Project-Based Pro Practice II
This is the second in a series of upper-year design courses which simulates the practice of a professional engineer and continues the work in ENGN 3710. Professional and technical skills are developed through problem-, activity-, and project-based learning. Working closely with their industry partners, teams complete detailed designs of their concepts and build full-scale operational prototypes (where possible). Testing and validation of solutions are carried out in controlled laboratory and/or industrial environments (where possible), and teams present the final design solutions to their partners. Six lecture hours and six hours design studio per week.
In addition to ENGN-3710 and ENGN 3720, the successful candidate will be teaching two of the following courses:
ENGN-1250 Materials Science
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of chemistry as they relate to the properties and behaviour of materials in application to engineering systems. The relationship between electronic structure, chemical bonding, and atomic order is emphasized. The characterization of atomic arrangements in crystalline and amorphous solids, i.e. that of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites are introduced. Knowledge of materials phenomena, including chemical equilibrium and kinetics, diffusion, electrochemistry, and phase transformations will be gained through experiential labs and lecture. Examples from industrial practice and emerging technologies will be used to illustrate the materials science concepts in this course. Three hours per week (lecture only)
ENGN-1310 Computer Program w/ Engn Apps
This introductory course in computer programming is specifically designed for engineering students with no previous programming experience. The learning objectives are twofold: 1) to gain the ability to write scripts and solve basic engineering problems using ® numerical computing environments, 2) to introduce embedded systems and the fundamentals of programming, using microcontrollers. Topics include problem solving, algorithm design, modular programming, data types and number systems, operators, functions, decision statements, loops, and arrays. The latter part of the course deals with the fundamentals of interfacing peripheral devices including sensors and actuators to design small embedded systems. Three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.
ENGN-3820 System Dynamics Simulation
This course introduces the analysis and control of dynamic systems, with concepts and examples drawn from all disciplines. It includes development and analysis of differential equation models for mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems. Systems are primarily analyzed using state variables, Laplace transforms and computer simulation methods and tools. Analysis concepts cover first, second, and higher order differential equations, transfer functions, time constants, natural and damped frequency, damping ratio, and transient response characteristics. Systems control theory is introduced, including control loops, proportional-derivative-integral control, tuning, stability, and system classification. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week
ENGN-4850 Comp. Methods Engn Design
This course covers numerical methods in engineering design. The fundamentals of numerical approaches are discussed, including iteration, approximation, and numerical errors. Numerical methods are presented in detail for integration, differentiation, regression, interpolation, ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and partial differential equations (PDEs). Computational approaches including frequency-domain analysis using discrete Fourier transforms and finite-element analysis are introduced. Finally, these numerical methods are applied to real-world engineering design problems. Three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.
Appointment rank, step and salary are commensurate with credentials and experience. Term contract faculty receive a comprehensive fringe benefits package including group life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental health, travel insurance, RRSP, and long-term disability insurance.
This position is subject to final budgetary approval
Qualifications:The successful candidate must have earned a doctoral degree in a relevant engineering discipline with the relevant background and experience to teach in any of the areas noted above. Industry experience, or skills gained through collaborative work with industry, will be considered a strong asset. The successful candidate must be registered as a P.Eng or EIT with Engineers PEI. Finally, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates must submit:
- A cover letter citing the competition number listed above
- A full curriculum vitae
- A list of three (3) references and their contact information
- A statement of the candidate’s overall teaching philosophy and methodology, and their experience with hands-on, experiential-based learning, engineering design education and the development of innovative teaching methods as applied to the course group selected.
Submit application to:
Dr. Suzanne Kresta
Dean Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3
fsdewedesign@upei.ca
UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute.
UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.
In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
Closing date for applications is (May 8); however, the competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.