Course number and title: ECE295H1 S – Hardware Design and Communication 

Course description: This course is an introduction to engineering design processes, illustrated through the design and implementation of a hardware system. In addition to familiarizing students with hardware design practices, tools, and skill sets, it also aims to develop effective oral and written communication in a team context. Principles of hardware design, project management and teamwork are developed in the lectures and tutorials, and students apply these concepts in the laboratories as they work in a team to design and implement a complex hardware system. Students learn and practice oral and written communication techniques in lectures and in meetings with their communication instructor and apply these techniques in a variety of documents and presentations, such as short status reports and longer design proposals and design reviews. 

Posting end date: July 17, 2026 

Number of Positions (est.): Up to two (2) positions 

Estimated TA support: TAs coordinate the lab component of the course. 

Estimated course enrolment: 400-450 students 

Class schedule: Students attend two one-hour lectures, one two-hour lab and one 30-minute meeting with a Communication Instructor. 

Sessional dates of appointment:  January 1, 2027 - April 30, 2027 

Hours: 1 HCE (up to a maximum of 230 hrs) including Reading Week and the Final Exam period. 

Salary: CUPE minimum salary rates for a half course (HCE), inclusive of vacation pay, are: Sessional Lecturer 1 - $9,997.47; Sessional Lecturer 1 Long Term - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 Long Term - $10,953.96; Sessional Lecturer 3 - $10,953.96 and Sessional Lecturer 3 Long Term - $11,212.15. Should rates stipulated in the Collective Agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the Collective Agreement shall prevail. 

Minimum Qualifications: include at least a Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline (such as, but not limited to, Communication, English, Engineering, Education, Technology Studies) with strong writing and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to teaching communication and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team. Flexible availability is a requirement for these positions.  

Preferred Qualifications:  include a PhD in an appropriate discipline (as above), TESL or CESLA certificate (or equivalent in ESL specialization or development of ESL curricula), familiarity with engineering communication practices and/or experience as an instructor in first year foundation course, Engineering Strategies and Practice. Also considered assets are experience in curriculum development, tutoring and/or working with a diverse group of students.  

Description of duties:  

attending a one-hour instructional team meeting per week 

attending up to six lectures per term 

supervising student teams as project manager (30-minute meeting times to take place both within and outside of tutorial hours) 

commenting on weekly team progress reports  

meeting with students for consultation on request 

facilitating practice oral presentations for the second oral presentation, and as needed through the term 

grading a short individual explanation of a hardware component, a longer team design proposal, a midterm team oral presentation and attending and assessing a final team oral presentation (end of exam period) 

must be available for a minimum of three pre-scheduled 2-hour tutorial slots plus one evening session during the week of the first oral presentation 

must have the ability to adapt to different communication instruction activities and move online if required. 

as a course revision is under process, duties may change as required  

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit:  

Unit 3 application form 

Application documents must be submitted via the link found in the application form in one (1) file. 

If during the application and/or selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please contact Chanelle Small-Reid at istep.academic@utoronto.ca.  

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.   

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.    

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.  

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.  

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 position. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.