Chemistry Fall/Winter 2026/27, Orillia
Application Deadline: May 30th, 2026
Department of Chemistry
Lakehead University, Orillia Campus, invites applications for Contract Lecturers and Lab Instructors in the Department of Chemistry, for the following sections:
Chemistry 2211 FAO – Organic Chemistry I
Physical properties, chemical reactions, nomenclature and conformational properties of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes. Characteristic reactions of alcohols and alkyl halides. Reactions of various types of carbonyl compounds. Optical, geometric and diastereoisomerism. Introduction to the spectroscopic identification of organic compounds.
Start Date/Duration: Sept 8, 2026 – Dec 24, 2026
Lecture: In-Person T/Th 1:00pm-2:30pm
Chemistry 3251 FAO/BIOL 3252 FAO – Biochemistry I
Chemistry and metabolism of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Chemistry of amino acids and proteins. Structure and reaction of fatty acids, triacylglycerols and phospholipids. Structure and properties of nucleotides and polynucleotides of DNA and RNA.
Start Date/Duration: Sept 8, 2026 – Dec 24, 2026
Lecture: In-Person M/W/ 1:00pm-2:30pm
Chemistry 2231 WAO – Organic Chemistry II
Further development of material introduced in Chemistry 2211. The course will continue to introduce the more important functional groups present in organic molecules as well as their physical and chemical properties. Reaction mechanism will be stressed. Topics will be chosen from: review of delocalization, carbocations, hybridization; nucleophilic additions to aldehydes and ketones; carboxylic acids and their derivatives; nucleophilic carbon; aromatic substitution reactions; oxidation and reduction; amines; and additional topics as time permits.
Start Date/Duration: Jan 4, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027
Lecture: In-Person T/Th 8:30am-10:00am
Chemistry 3271 WAO/BIOL 3272 WAO – Biochemistry II
Enzyme kinetics. Mechanism of enzyme reactions. Biosynthesis of terpenes and steroids. Sequence determination of DNA and RNA using electrophoretic methods. Chemical synthesis of polynucleotides. DNA replication. Protein synthesis.
Start Date/Duration: Jan 4, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027
Lecture: In-Person M/W/ 5:30pm-7:00pm
Chemistry 1130 WAO – Introductory Chemistry II
A continuation of Chemistry 1110 with the introduction of the following topics: states of matter, solution chemistry, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions.
Start Date/Duration: Jan 4, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027
Lecture: In-Person T/Th 4:00pm-5:30pm
Chemistry 2610 WAO/ENST 2610 WAO/ NORT 2610 WAO – Northern Environmental Chemistry
Designed primarily for non-science majors, this course will explore contemporary chemical environmental problems, particularly those that have an impact on the North. These problems will include acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming, pesticides and heavy metal deposition. The origins and fates of pollutants will be discussed using specific examples from the forest products, mining, oil, energy, and transportation industries.
Start Date/Duration: Jan 4, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027
Lecture: In-Person T/Th 5:30pm-7:00pm
Chemistry 3131 WAO – Analytical Chemistry II
Instrumental methods of analysis. Separation, detection, and quantification techniques are covered, using electrochemical, spectrochemical, and chromatographic methods.
Start Date/Duration: Jan 4, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027
Lecture: In-Person M/W 4:00pm-5:30pm
Please note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Instructors should refer to the online timetable prior to the start of classes.
Qualifications Preferred: PhD in Chemistry or related field with significant expertise related to the topic they will be teaching. The minimum requirement is a Master’s degree.
The ideal candidate will possess an appropriate combination of both academic and professional experience in a field related to the course. Experience teaching at the post-secondary level is preferred, and experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of delivery is highly desired. The Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies values and respects Indigenous traditional learning and knowledge and embraces various forms of teaching and learning where appropriate. Consequently, for Indigenous content focussed courses we will prioritize knowledge of Indigenous languages, community-based learning, and traditional knowledge above academic credentials, in the selection of candidates. For graduate courses, preference may be given to candidates who hold a PhD, or are working towards a PhD, combined with relevant professional experience.
Compensation
In accordance with Collective Agreement provisions, Contract Lecturers shall be remunerated at one of the three following levels:
Level 1: $8,355 (per HCE)
Level 2: $8,590 (per HCE)
Level 3: $9,059 (per HCE)
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.
For further information, please contact Dr. Craig MacKinnon. Detailed information on the Department of Chemistry and our programs is available at: www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/chemistry.
Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) should include: a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests and/or evidence of teaching effectiveness. A completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form must accompany your package. We encourage applicants with the Right of First Refusal (as outlined in article 19.03.02 of the LUFA/LU Collective Agreement) to indicate their status in their application.
Applicants should submit their electronic application to:
Department of Chemistry
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Attn: Dr. Craig MacKinnon, Chair
E-mail: chem@lakeheadu.ca
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.cato make appropriate arrangements.
This position is subject to budgetary approval.