Assistant Professor, Intelligent Drilling and Completions Engineering, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Job ID: 35837
Location: Main Campus

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Intelligent Drilling and Completions Engineering. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026, or a mutually agreed upon date.

The University of Calgary and, in particular, the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, is globally recognized for energy research and energy technology development. Leveraging its existing strengths, the University has embarked on a new strategic plan, Ahead of Tomorrow, which emphasizes transdisciplinary scholarship, deeper community integration, and future-focused program delivery. Based on our historic successes, the University Energy Research Strategy, Energy for the Common Good, aims to expand energy research and training activities, and promote collaboration across the campus and with external stakeholders, with a focus on ensuring sustainable, affordable and climate-appropriate energy services for society. In alignment with this strategy, the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering is building on its leadership in energy research and scholarship by sharpening its focus on creating safe, secure, and socially responsible energy supplies for the world.

Position Description

We are seeking an emerging scholar who possesses a strong background and training in the area of intelligent drilling and completions engineering. The successful candidate will be forward thinking, and have demonstrated potential to develop an original, innovative and high impact engineering research program related to intelligent drilling and completions. It is expected that the research program will result in the creation of knowledge and technologies that are translatable and will contribute to sustainable energy solutions for society. Application areas include, but are not limited to, drilling and completions for responsible hydrocarbon production from conventional and unconventional resources, CO2 storage, hydrogen storage, geothermal energy extraction, natural and stored hydrogen recovery, and critical mineral extraction.

In alignment with the University of Calgary's strategic plan, and in support of its academic and research priorities, the successful candidate will actively contribute to the supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will also provide service to the Department, School, University, community and profession, contribute to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices, workplaces and learning environments, and add to the collegial and vibrant academic community. The successful candidate will benefit from a rich ecosystem that includes world-class scholars, a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, a commitment to excellence in education, and an equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community that supports transdisciplinary research, partnerships and collaborations with both internal and external stakeholders.

Position Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, a Ph.D. (preferably in engineering) in an area related to intelligent drilling and completions, a strong research record, and teaching experience. Industry experience is an asset.

The successful candidate must demonstrate: 

• a track record of high-quality research and high-quality journal publications 
• potential to establish a strong engineering research program at the University of Calgary in an area related to intelligent drilling and completions
• potential to attract competitive external funding to support their research activities, including funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), provincial sources and industry
• potential to attract and provide supervision, mentorship and a high-quality training experience to trainees, including undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars
• an ability to support positive student learning outcomes and experiences 
• an ability to teach core undergraduate courses in the Chemical Engineering and Oil & Gas Engineering programs, including courses related to drilling and completions, as well as graduate courses
• strong oral and written English communication skills
• alignment with (i) Ahead of Tomorrow, the University of Calgary strategic plan, (ii) Energy for the Common Good, the University of Calgary Energy Research Strategy, and (ii) Schulich Momentum, the Schulich School of Engineering strategic plan
• a commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Engineering.

The successful candidate is expected to be eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).

How to Apply

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the 'Apply Now' button on our UCalgary Careers webpage at https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/16746068-assistant-professor-intelligent-drilling-and-completions-engineering-department-of-chemical-and-petroleum-engineering. Please note that applications only allow up to four attachments, which may require you to merge documents. 

Applications should include:

• A Cover Letter (maximum three pages). The letter should include a statement of your research interests and accomplishments, as well as your research vision for the position. Your vision should demonstrate alignment with the research priorities of the University of Calgary and the Schulich School of Engineering.
• A Curriculum Vitae with a complete list of publications.
• A research proposal describing projects you will undertake during your first 5 years in this position (maximum three pages). Include the methodologies you will use, the types of equipment or facilities required to successfully conduct the described research, potential funding sources, and the impact of the projected outcomes of this work.
• Statement of teaching philosophy that promotes learning and success (maximum two pages). This can include information on teaching experience, training, and mentoring inside and outside the classroom at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels
• A statement on how you will contribute to creating and maintaining positive work and learning environments (maximum 2 pages). Include your perspectives on equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA), and discuss how you plan to support EDIA both at the University (e.g. in research and scholarship activities, as well as in teaching and learning activities inside and outside the classroom), and within your profession.  
• The names and contact information for three referees. Note that referees will only be contacted for candidates who are shortlisted.

The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering respects, appreciates, and values diversity. We encourage diverse applicants to apply for this position. A number of resources are available on campus to support diversity and inclusion, including two daycares, the Q Centre, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Women's Resource Centre. For more information, please visit www.ucalgary.ca. 

Applications will be accepted until October 17, 2025. 

Questions may be addressed to: 
Dr. Arindom Sen
Chair, Academic Selection Committee
Head, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Email: asen@ucalgary.ca

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to, the impact of career interruptions, when assessing a candidate¿s research productivity.  

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. 

About the Schulich School of Engineering

The Schulich School of Engineering has six engineering departments, including the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. The school is home to nearly 200 faculty members, over 4000 undergraduate students, and more than 2000 graduate students. Guided by its strategic plan, Schulich Momentum, the school continues to pursue its vision of recognition for enhancing its global research impact and driving innovation, for expanding access to and inclusivity in engineering, for contributions towards Truth and Reconciliation, and for enriching student success and experience.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.  

Need help? View our Application FAQs for answers to common questions regarding the application and selection process.