Posted on October 6, 2022
Assistant Professor Indigenous and/or Black approaches to biodiversity research or management
The Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus, invites applications for a tenure-stream Assistant Professor specializing in Indigenous and/or Black approaches to biodiversity research or management. The successful applicant will engage in collaborative, action-oriented research to advance just, equitable, and inclusive strategies to support a biodiverse world.
We invite applications from across natural and social sciences, and have no preference for one over the other. Priority research areas include, but are not limited to 1) Approaches to research in biodiversity centered around traditional knowledge systems 2) Relationships between biodiversity and Indigenous sovereignty, governance, self-determination, and law; 3) Intersections between Black geographies, ecologies and biodiversity; 4) Relationships between environmental justice, dispossession and biodiversity loss.
Applicants are expected to have a record of, or demonstrated potential for, research excellence and an ability to initiate and maintain an outstanding externally funded research programme; to contribute to teaching and curriculum development in undergraduate and graduate programmes in Geography, especially Environment and Sustainability; and to further the department’s ongoing efforts to foster diversity, equity and inclusion and to align with UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan and the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force.
The successful applicant will also be expected to be an active participant of UBC’s Interdisciplinary Biodiversity Solutions Collaboratory (IBioS), a research and scholarship team at UBC focused on action-oriented approaches to biodiversity loss and its connection to sustainability and adaptive capacity for humanity. For more details about IBioS see: https://ibios.ubc.ca/.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence and to creating an inclusive and safe learning environment. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2023. The closing date for applications is 15th November, 2022. Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or provide solid indication of imminent completion) in geography or a related field.
Applications are to be submitted via this online form: https://geog.air.arts.ubc.ca/position-000135992/
Applicants should be prepared to upload by the closing deadline of the 15th November, 2022 in the following order and in a single PDF (maximum size 15 MB):
- a letter of application (up to two pages) which should explain your fit with both Geography and IBioS;
- a curriculum vitae that lists the names and contact information of three referees;
- research Statement (up to 2 pages) describing your current and proposed research program.
- teaching statement describing your teaching philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness (up to one page);
- statement (up to one page) identifying your past contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, along with your ability to work with a culturally diverse student body; as well as your philosophy of, and potential future contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging at UBC. If appropriate, provide details of how your teaching, service and/or scholarship has supported the success of students in your academic field who are underrepresented or marginalized, including but not limited to on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. Applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further UBC’s commitment to diversity.
- up to two writing samples (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, book chapter, etc).
Only complete applications will be considered by the search committee. Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee: Dr. Juanita Sundberg, juanita.sundberg@ubc.ca.
This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. For more information about our department, go to: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/
Given the uncertainty caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, applicants must be prepared to conduct interviews remotely if circumstances require. A successful applicant may be asked to consider an offer containing a deadline without having been able to make an in-person visit to campus if travel and other restrictions are still in place.