Master, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies
The newly created Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR) offers special study and research opportunities at the Master, PhD and Post-Doctoral levels to outstanding, eligible candidates, preferably with a background in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Chemistry. ICFAR expands the very successful team led by Professors Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens and Lauren Briens, with their well-established record of excellence, productivity and team spirit. ICFAR researchers will have access to unique facilities and multidisciplinary expertise, with state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional technical support resulting from considerable research funding successes. ICFAR benefits from extensive collaboration with other Faculties, including professors from The University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Science and the Richard Ivey Business School.
In 2009, ICFAR will open its new 20,000 square foot facility to house large industry-sponsored and government-sponsored projects. Currently, research is conducted in the Thompson Engineering Building and there will be laboratory space available in the Claudette-MacKay Lassonde Pavilion, also opening in 2009. Student and post-doctoral positions are available immediately, to begin work on these projects.
ICFAR investigators conduct fundamental and applied fluidization research with special emphasis on the development of new technologies for the production of chemicals and fuels from alternative resources. ICFAR has been created with the objective of building on its members’ internationally-recognized expertise in the fields of fluidization, thermal cracking, mixing, granulation, agglomeration and particulates handling, to focus on biomass, petrochemical and pharmaceutical applications. Research projects are in areas that have been identified as priorities by Provincial and Federal Governments in Canada and abroad. ICFAR’s objective is to develop advanced technology, help industry and provide students with unique opportunities to collaborate with the best companies and academic scholars, worldwide. Given the impressive number of ICFAR industrial partners, graduate students will have unique opportunities to pursue industrial work experience through Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (NSERC-IPS). Students will be a part of multi-disciplinary teams. In addition to industrial opportunities, students are introduced to academia through preparation and publication of papers and presentation opportunities at international conferences. As a result, ICFAR graduates have a consistent track record of securing high quality industrial and academic employment both nationally and internationally.
All students and post-doctoral fellows are supported with very competitive stipends and performance bonuses. Recipients of federal and provincial graduate research scholarships receive special additional awards.
We seek in particular, individuals with a background in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Chemistry. Successful candidates will be selected on the basis of the excellence of their academic and research records, and considering their potential for high quality research. Students must be self-motivated, with demonstrated initiative and creativity. Successful graduate student applicants will be required to register in one of the graduate programs offered through the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Western Ontario.
For further information, please visit our web site: http://www.eng.uwo.ca/icfar/
To apply for a position within ICFAR, please send a letter indicating your interests and the position for which you would like to apply, your résumé and academic transcripts to icfar@eng.uwo.ca
Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR)
Faculty of Engineering
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario
N6A 5B9, Canada