Dr. Chris Houser, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Founding Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics, have announced a new Pilot in Residence position at the University of Waterloo – the first role of its kind in Canada. 

Housed in the Faculty of Science, this prestigious new position will enrich Waterloo’s highly accomplished aviation program. The role will present a unique opportunity for an industry leader to guide the next generation of aviators by teaching courses that align with their expertise, such as aviation human factors, safety, economics, operations, and meteorology. The successful candidate will engage with more than 300 undergraduate student pilots each year, playing a critical role in the largest university aviation program in Canada.   

“The Pilot in Residence will give our students unique industry insights that will prepare them for rewarding careers in the aviation sector,” says Dr. Houser. “Waterloo is renowned for its strong ties to industry, which date back to the University’s founding in 1957. This position will further enrich our students’ real-world learning experiences and equip them to lead the sector’s long-term growth.” 

The Pilot in Residence will also support research at the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), which collaborates with members of all six University faculties to address industry challenges related to the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. 

“The aviation sector is facing a number of sustainability challenges, including a severe shortage of pilots,” says Dr. Kearns, who is also an aviation professor at Waterloo. “With Canada’s largest university aviation program and a rapidly growing research institute devoted to innovations in sustainability, Waterloo is well positioned to collaborate with industry on the solutions the sector needs to thrive. The Pilot in Residence will enable us to accelerate those solutions and make a transformational impact on the future of flight.” 

The first-of-its-kind Pilot in Residence is expected to hold their position for a two-year term, enabling the Faculty of Science to welcome a range of industry professionals with different areas of expertise in the years ahead. For more information about the role and details about how to apply, visit the Pilot-in-Residence job posting.