Employment Opportunities

Director

The School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, Canada, invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the School. The incumbent will also carry the title of Associate Dean of Science, Optometry.  The University of Waterloo is located in the attractive two-university community of Kitchener-Waterloo (population 350,000) in southwestern Ontario, about one hour west of Toronto.

Candidates are expected to have a distinguished record of teaching and research, and to have a demonstrated ability in leadership, administration and a good knowledge of the optometric profession. Clinical experience would be an asset. They should also be eligible for a faculty position, normally at the level of full professor. The successful candidate will set the academic tone for the School, exercise overall responsibility for the operation of the associated clinics, be responsible for the relationship between the School and the broader optometric community, and play a leading role in the academic planning and management processes within the Faculty of Science.

The School of Optometry, the only English language School of Optometry in Canada, has more than 90 full-time members of faculty and staff, currently accepts 90 students into the professional program annually and produces highly sought after graduates. The School is very research active, with substantial research grant and contract income, and attracts outstanding Canadian and international applicants to its graduate program. A 40,000 sq ft expansion of the School’s facilities was recently completed to accommodate expanded activities within the school.

With more than 50 graduate students currently enrolled, the Vision Science graduate program is also one of the largest in the world.  In reflection of the prominence of the Vision Science research and graduate program, it is anticipated that a name change to the “School of Optometry and Vision Science” will come into effect by the Spring of 2012. The School has two world-renowned research centres. The Centre for Contact Lens Research is the second largest research centre of its kind in the world and the Centre for Sight Enhancement is the only accredited low vision centre in Canada and the only accredited service within an optometry school in North America.
 
The School of Optometry hosts a large University-based clinic operation, with over 20,000 patient  visits annually. A second primary care clinic exists as part of a multidisciplinary health care facility in downtown Kitchener, in space shared by a satellite branch of the McMaster University Michael DeGroote School of Medicine and the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. To ensure that the School continues to evolve with the rapid development of the profession of optometry, the School is engaged in an extensive curriculum review process. Recent legislation in the Province of Ontario granting optometrists the authority to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, creates a significant opportunity to revise our University-based clinical programs. The School is currently engaged in an $8 million campaign to completely renovate the 25,000 sq. ft., main teaching and patient clinic.

Applications and nominations should include a detailed resume, the names and contact information for three individuals willing to provide references, and a statement of capabilities and qualification. For full consideration, applications should be received prior to February 29, 2012.  Send applications or nominations to:

Professor T.B. McMahon, Dean
Faculty of Science
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue, West
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada, N2L 3G1

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Waterloo encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, members of visible minorities, native people and persons with disabilities.
Phone: (519) 888-4591    Fax: (519) 746-2543    e-mail:lweber@uwaterloo.ca

October 1, 2010: two full-time faculty positions

Two full-time faculty positions

Applications are now being accepted for two regular faculty positions in the School of Optometry. We are looking for individuals who wish to pursue excellence in teaching and research.

Position 1: FILLED We seek an exceptional teacher who also demonstrates an interest in independent scholarship. The primary responsibility of the successful applicant will be teaching. Experience in areas of structural biology (gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy) or immunology/molecular biology and genetics will be given preference.

Position 2: We seek an individual with a strong commitment to scholarship and teaching. The successful applicant will be expected to develop a strong, externally-funded research program, including development of support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Preference will be given to investigators whose expertise would add a complementary scientific discipline to those of our active research faculty. Potential applicants are urged to review the research interests of current faculty at http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/researchers/.

Salary and rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Although not a requirement, applicants who are optometrists with TPA certification will be given preference. Individuals from other biomedical disciplines are also encouraged to apply.

A letter of application, curriculum vitae with teaching dossier, and three confidential letters of reference should be mailed to:

Marlee Spafford, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO,  Interim Director
School of Optometry
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave, West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
N2L 3G1

If preferred, electronic submissions of applications are welcomed at mspaffor@uwaterloo.ca. Evaluation of candidates will begin October 1, 2010 and will continue until the positions are filled.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Waterloo encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, members of visible minorities, native peoples, and persons with disabilities.