Assistant Professor in Transdisciplinary Wildfire Sciences

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Assistant Professor in Transdisciplinary Wildfire Sciences
Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Position Description
The Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences (Faculty of Forestry, Vancouver Campus, The University of British Columbia – UBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in Transdisciplinary Wildfire Sciences at the Assistant Professor level, to commence as early as July 1, 2025 or when a suitable candidate is found. The Vancouver Campus of UBC is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

Fire is an essential social-ecological process, yet contemporary wildfires are the culmination of altered human-forest-wildfire relationships, exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change. UBC’s Centre for Wildfire Coexistence was established to contribute to novel approaches for society to adapt and coexist with wildfire. We are seeking an outstanding emerging scholar to lead world-class research in Transdisciplinary Wildfire Sciences with expertise blending social and natural sciences, and a focus on some of the following study areas: ecological and socio-cultural benefits of fire, prescribed fire and cultural burning, Indigenous-led fire stewardship, eco-cultural restoration, wildfire effects and recovery, ecosystem and community resiliency, applications to policy and practice, or related fields. We have a preference for someone who conducts collaborative and community-engaged research and has experience working with Indigenous and rural communities in British Columbia, Canada, or internationally. Transformative change requires diverse approaches, shared decision-making, and novel knowledge extension, so the successful candidate should have experience in conducting applied research and using results to inform management or policy decisions that contribute to coexistence with wildfire.

The Faculty of Forestry (https://forestry.ubc.ca/) at the UBC is one of the largest of its kind globally. Its award-winning, multidisciplinary researchers explore social-ecological systems from many perspectives, including ecosystem function, landscape ecology, applied resource management, conservation decision-making and policy, Indigenous knowledges, and values that human societies derive from nature.

Our research continually strives to redefine and broaden our conception of forestry by addressing a wide variety of issues including reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples (https://isp.ubc.ca), biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, climate change mitigation, sustainable forest management and bioproducts development, to name a few.

The Faculty of Forestry operates two Research Forests (https://forestry.ubc.ca/research/research-forests/) where scientists can establish projects requiring forested environments. These are working forests, where students and faculty from UBC and beyond study in an outdoor setting. Numerous studies on fire regimes and post-wildfire ecological recovery have occurred at these facilities.

The successful applicant will establish their laboratory in the Forest Sciences Centre (https://forestry.ubc.ca/about/deans-message/forest-sciences-centre/) which houses three departments and provides access to outstanding resources and collaborators. This position complements existing strengths in our faculty in wildfire science, forest ecology, conservation decision-making and planning, wildlife ecology, Indigenous food systems, landscape and ecosystem ecology, and more broadly at UBC in social-ecological systems and biodiversity science. Researchers in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences (https://fcs.forestry.ubc.ca/) often collaborate with federal and provincial agency personnel who have local laboratories and facilities, with ENGOs and not-for-profit organizations, and with numerous First Nation groups.

Our award-winning academic programs are interdisciplinary, integrating natural and social sciences, with courses taught by leading scientists and instructors who utilize cutting-edge technologies and provide hands-on training in the class, lab and field (https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/). The successful applicant will ultimately be teaching two undergraduate courses and one graduate course, with a ‘gradual-entry’ approach adopted with reduced teaching loads early in the position. Teaching will include instructing a 3rd year course focusing on wildfire science and management, and contributing to one or more field schools.

The position requires a PhD, postdoctoral experience, and a strong record of research achievements in the field. The successful applicant will be expected to develop an innovative, externally-funded and internationally-competitive research program, supervise graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, collaborate with faculty members, teach undergraduate and graduate courses in ecological and social sciences, and participate in service to the department, university, and academic/scientific community. Candidates will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized.

The starting salary for an Assistant Professor position at UBC is: $100,000 – $130,000/year

Applicants should submit via Academic Jobs Online the following put into one PDF:
1. Cover letter that summarizes (up to 2 pages):
• Your research vision and accomplishments,
• How your expertise, scholarship, and planned research will integrate within the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences,
• How you have displayed leadership through: existing or proposed research; teaching; service; community engagement; outreach; contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion; or other relevant activities.
2. Up-to-date curriculum vitae.
3. Statement of research interests, accomplishments and vision, and their relevance to the position (up to 2 pages).
4. Three sample publications.
5. Statement of teaching philosophy, experience, and interests (up to 2 pages).
6. Diversity statement describing your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student and faculty body, and, contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion (up to 1 page).
7. Contact information for three individuals willing to serve as references.

Address applications to Dr. Lori Daniels, Search Chair, c/o Natasha.Thompson@ubc.ca
Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2025.
 
Additional Information:

UBC’s vision is to inspire people, ideas and actions for a better world. Its institutional values of excellence, integrity, respect, academic freedom, and accountability are the driving forces behind its goals to pursue excellence in research, learning and engagement to foster global citizenship and advance a sustainable and just society across British Columbia, Canada, and the world. With campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, in the Okanagan, UBC has over 66,000 students, over $700 million in research funding, a sophisticated and deeply engaging intellectual environment and an unrivalled quality of life.

We recognize the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) or non-traditional career paths can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. 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. Candidates of any nationality are encouraged to apply; however, when candidates are otherwise equally ranked, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

UBC is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment for its employees and students, including those with disabilities. UBC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact Natasha Thompson at natasha.thompson@ubc.ca.

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