Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Climate Change Biology

Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Climate Change Biology

The Faculty of Science at The University of Western Ontario invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Climate Change Biology. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor, Probationary (tenure-track) or Associate Professor, Probationary (tenure-track or tenured) in the Department of Biology. Candidates will have a PhD in Biology or in a related field and postdoctoral experience in research areas related to climate change biology. Salary and rank will be commensurate with educational qualifications and experience. The anticipated starting date will be July 1, 2023 or as negotiated. The successful candidate will be expected to apply for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the first available competition after their appointment.

In accordance with the CRC regulations set for Tier 2 Chairs https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/, Tier 2 chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination) who have demonstrated research excellence and have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in the field of climate change biology within five to ten years. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process; please contact Research Development at the University of Western Ontario at ResearchWesternCRC@uwo.ca for more information.  Please consult the Canada Research Chair website for full information, including further details on eligibility criteria http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx. As chairholders, candidates must have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent students and trainees, and be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality.

Climate Change Biology is a research priority for the Faculty of Science. Climate change is one of the grand challenges of our time, as it threatens ecosystem function, presents a key economic challenge for Canada, and represents an existential challenge for life on earth. We seek candidates who are using state-of-the-art approaches to address fundamental and/or applied questions in climate change biology at any level of biological organization. We also welcome candidates whose research program explicitly addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience from a biological perspective. Research into the biological impacts of climate change is aligned with Western University infrastructure and faculty investments. Western Biology has researchers active in many areas related to climate change biology, including but not limited to physiological, ecological, and evolutionary responses of animals, plants and soils to environmental change, animal movement and migration, carbon cycle research, and agricultural adaptations and implications for pest control. We foster productive collaborations with a range of federal and provincial government research agencies and institutions.

Western’s Department of Biology is collegial and productive environment for research and teaching, with 33 research-active faculty, seven teaching-intensive faculty, and over 150 graduate students. We teach undergraduate program modules related to the area of climate change biology such as Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation, Biology and Genetics, as well as interdisciplinary environmental initiatives. The successful applicant will contribute to teaching and research supervision at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and mentorship, and experience in providing other high-impact learning experiences, are assets. The successful applicant will engage in service to the University and the profession. The successful candidate will have demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills, as well as evidence of leadership potential. We are seeking a collaborative, collegial and community-minded candidate who is keen to engage in the workings of the Department and has interest and/or experience in outreach and engagement with other stakeholder groups, including Indigenous partners.

Our Department is home to a consortium of cutting edge research facilities (https://www.uwo.ca/biology/research/biology_facilities/index.html). The successful applicant will benefit from the leading-edge and unique facilities within Biology and Western: Advanced Facility for Avian Research, The Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre (https://uwo.ca/sci/research/biotron/), London Regional Genomics Centre, Brain and Mind Institute, and specialized facilities for imaging and microscopy. The Department and University also house analytical facilities for genomics, metabolomics, and chemical analyses, as well as an Environmental Sciences Western Field Station within 15 minutes driving distance of the main campus (https://www.uwo.ca/esw/). The successful applicant may also benefit from collaborations with nearby institutions such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and local agritech industries.

With annual research funding exceeding $220 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities, and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package. Further details can be accessed at: http://www.uwo.ca/hr/benefits/your_benefits/faculty.html. Western’s Recruitment and Retention Office is available to assist in the transition of successful applicants and their families.

Western University recognizes that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning and a community leader. Western understands that our pursuit of research excellence and our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion are mutually supporting. As such, Western is committed to achieving and maintaining an equitable representation amongst our Canada Research Chair holders, as well as within Western’s broader research enterprise.

Western’s campus is in London, Ontario, a city with a population of approximately 400,000, located midway between Toronto and Detroit. With an extensive park system, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is known as the “Forest City”. London has a reasonable cost-of-living and hosts an international airport, galleries, theatre, music, sporting events, and excellent restaurants.

Western recognizes the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Potential candidates are encouraged to explain within their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record, and to submit a full career or extended CV to a chairholder position in cases where they have had career interruptions.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a complete application package, as a single PDF file containing the following:

• Completed application form available at: http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/faculty/Application-FullTime-Faculty-Position-Form.pdf
• A brief cover letter addressing how the candidate’s expertise fits this position and complements existing strengths in the Department of Biology at Western.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• A statement of your proposed research program and your most significant contributions to the field of climate change biology. In your statement, describe how your past contributions connect with your research plan and explain how your plan connects to climate change biology at Western (up to five pages).
• A statement on teaching and mentoring in climate change biology, including descriptions of past formal and informal mentorship experience, and plans for mentorship and training at Western (up to two pages).
• A statement on how your track record and plans create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for research, teaching, and service (up to two pages).
• Contact details for three academic referees.

Effective September 7, 2021, all employees and visitors to campus are required to comply with Western’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

The application package can be submitted via email to:

Dr. David Coltman, Professor and Chair

Department of Biology

The University of Western Ontario

London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada

EMAIL: hrbio@uwo.ca

Consideration of applications will begin on SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Sherri Fenton at hrbio@uwo.ca 

Posted on Faculty Relations website August 12, 2022

Posting number:  2022-076