Assistant Professor – Botany

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Ecosystem Science & Management Program
Faculty of Environment
Tenure-track
Posting #FAESM02-25 BW

The University of Northern British Columbia invites applications for a Tenure-track position in the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, with proposed starting date of 1 July, 2026. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship. UNBC’s Department of Ecosystem Science & Management oversees BSc. undergraduate degrees in: Biology; Conservation Science & Practice; Forest Ecology & Management; and Wildlife & Fisheries, and a BA. degree in Nature and Resource-based Management. Faculty supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) within the Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (NRES) Graduate Program. The program resides within the Faculty of Environment, alongside the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and The School of Planning & Sustainability. UNBC is well equipped with modern research facilities, three field research stations, including two research forests.

We seek candidates who will develop a vigorous, externally funded long-term research program in botany. Preference may be given to applicants with background and/or interest in non-vascular (bryophytes), or vascular-seedless plants (ferns, lycophytes, horsetails), or lichens, whose research addresses questions related to physiology and/or genetics (e.g., functional genetics). Applicants’ research interests may also include: plant eco-physiology, plant biochemistry, or plant taxonomy. An intimate knowledge of Canada’s, and especially British Columbia’s, native flora would be considered a great asset to this position.

UNBC campuses sit at the junction of diverse ecosystems, from temperate-coniferous and mixed-wood forests to grassland and alpine environments, providing a natural laboratory for field-oriented plant biologists seeking to explore and understand complex ecosystems in collaboration with indigenous communities. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with UNBC faculty with expertise in chemistry, microbial ecology, forest ecology and health, meteorology, hydrology, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, natural resource management, and soil science. The new faculty member will also have opportunities to work with Indigenous communities as well as scientists and managers in government, industry, and conservation organizations.

Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in Botany or a closely related discipline. Ideally, applicants will have post-doctoral and/or professional experience and have demonstrated teaching experience at the University level. Candidates should be prepared to teach several courses a year, which could include Systematic Botany (UNBC BIOL 301); Forest Plant Systems (UNBC FSTY 201); Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 311), Molecular Cell Physiology (BIOL 312) or Fungi and Lichens (UNBC BIOL 318). Students from multiple degree programs within the Ecosystems Science and Management Department may participate in these courses. After graduation students have diverse knowledge and experience in ecology, set in the context of current natural resources issues and challenges, and therefore students often pursue professional careers in forestry and applied biology. As such, candidates with relevant professional designations (eg. RPF, RPBIO, PAg) and/or with professional experience would be considered an asset.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity

The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “he/she/they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.
Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. 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, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

About the University and its Community
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.
UNBC’s three regional campuses are located in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. The South-Centra

campus in Quesnel is situated on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff Band), Nazko, Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus Band), and Esdilagh First Nations (formerly Alexandria Band). Lhtako, Nazko, and Lhoosk’uz are Dakelh First Nations, and Esdilagh is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Peace River-Liard campus in Fort St. John is situated on the traditional territory of the Doig River, Blueberry River and Halfway River First Nations. They are the Dunne-Za people. The Northwest campus in Terrace is situated on traditional Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) territory of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. It includes a satellite campus in the coastal community of Prince Rupert.

UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~79,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to https://tourismpg.com/ and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.

Salary
The salary for this position will be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience as per the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The annual salary range for this position is expected to be from $ 85,473 to $123,948. Please refer to the link below to the Collective Agreement for more compensation information:
https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/facultyassociationcollectiveagreementjuly12023-june302025-revised.pdf

To Apply
Applicants should visit https://www.unbc.ca/career-opportunities and apply to this position (FAESM02-25 BW) by creating an applicant profile. Please submit the following documents

o cover letter indicating potential contributions to the Ecosystem Science and Management Degree Program;
o curriculum vitae;
o a brief statement of teaching approaches and research program;
o the names and addresses of three references (including telephone and email information); and
o the Statement of Eligibility to Work in Canada form, which can be found here:
https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/statementofemploymenteligibilityjan0520221.pdf.

Voluntary Form:
o the Self-Identification from, which can be found here:
https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idreviseddec2022-fillable.pdf

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at wellbeing@unbc.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Inquiries: Dr. Ken Otter, Chair of Ecosystem Science & Management
ken.otter@unbc.ca
250-960-5019

The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC; however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

Applications received on or before February 15, 2026, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (jobsnearcanada.com) you saw this job posting.