Research Associate (SDL5, One-year Term)

Date Posted: 06/22/2026
Req ID: 48631
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Acceleration Consortium
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00055589
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

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 SDL5 (Formulation).

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

• Design, execute, and optimize research experiments related to advanced formulations and materials development.

• Develop and implement automated and high-throughput experimental workflows.

• Support (Senior) staff scientists to integrate machine learning, data-driven optimization, and autonomous experimentation strategies.

• Analyze, curate, and interpret experimental data to extract insights into material performance, stability, and process-structure-property relationships.

• Coordinate and report to (Senior) Staff Scientist research activities across multidisciplinary teams and contribute to project planning, execution, and reporting.

• Mentor and train graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and other trainees on laboratory methods and SDL technologies.

• Coordinate with the (Senior) Staff Scientists laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, procurement, vendor interactions, and laboratory resource planning to support ongoing research programs.

• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications, publications, technical reports, scientific presentations, and research proposals.

• Support research activities associated with industrial collaborations under the direction of the (Senior) Staff Scientist and Principal Investigator.

• Participate in scientific meetings, workshops, and Acceleration Consortium related events.

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:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 1 year of demonstrated research experience in automated, autonomous, or high-throughput experimental systems
• Demonstrated wet lab experience in soft materials, process optimization relevant to formulation development (drug delivery, colloids, characterization (rheological, spectroscopic, Imaging) and troubleshooting.
• Experience with laboratory automation, robotics, high-throughput experimentation, or related technologies.
• Experience applying data analysis, statistical methods, or machine learning approaches to experimental research.
• Proficiency in scientific programming using Python or related languages. Familiarity with instrumentation development, sensors, electronics, rapid prototyping (CAD), or digital laboratory technologies.

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: 07/06/2026, 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.