Dean, School of Science and the Environment

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Dean, School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups. Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, is situated in traditional Mi’kmaw territory in Corner Brook, NL. As a Campus, we respectfully acknowledge the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; Indigenous peoples; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; visible minorities/racialized people; and people with disabilities. We also acknowledge that gaps in career history/research history can exist for any number of reasons (i.e.: family responsibilities, sick leave, settlement, etc.) and note that candidates are invited to discuss these gaps and their impacts on their work in their application.

Grenfell Campus has more than 1,300 students and emphasizes innovative approaches to teaching and learning, research and engagement. Memorial University as a whole and Grenfell Campus in particular are taking important structural actions to address priorities around equity, diversity, Indigenization, and anti-racism in order to foster a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to achieve a greater diversity of individuals in terms of cultural background and experience.

Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, seeks an exceptional leader from across the physical, natural, and social sciences to become the next Dean of the School of Science and the Environment. Building on exceptional growth and development in teaching & learning, research, and community engagement, the next Dean will work to chart the School’s next chapters, and as a senior academic leader, contribute to the excellence that is the future of Grenfell Campus and Memorial University. The School of Science & the Environment is a diverse school with experts in multiple disciplines, ranging from physical & natural sciences to environmentally-orientated social sciences. The School emphasizes personalized learning journeys for all students across its range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Disciplines include: biology, chemistry, earth science, economics, environmental science, geography, mathematics, physics, political science, and sustainability. The School also boasts the Environmental Policy Institute, the Boreal Ecosystem Research Facility, and the Grenfell Observatory, as unique research, learning, and outreach initiatives.

The position profile for this opportunity is available here.

In particular, the future Dean will work to continue: growth and development in undergraduate and graduate programs; excellence and expansion of research activities; promotion of evidence-based best practices in undergraduate teaching; and advancement of Grenfell Campus as an institution of first choice for students, faculty, staff, and partners from Canada and around the world. The next Dean will continue to advance and champion Memorial University’s deep commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, and the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Reporting to the Vice President (Grenfell Campus), the Dean will be responsible for all aspects of the School’s operations and resources, including its programs, scholarly activity, research institutes, human resource management, student recruitment, public engagement, budgeting, fundraising, and advancement. The Dean will also join Grenfell Campus’ senior academic and administrative leadership groups, as well as pan-university leadership bodies including the Council of Deans and the Memorial University Senate.

The new Dean will be a highly successful academic with a strong research and teaching record within one or more disciplines represented in the School of Science & the Environment. They will have a broad understanding of, respect for, and appreciation of interdisciplinarity and the range of research and expertise found within the School. A strategic, visionary, and collegial leader, they will possess demonstrated academic and administrative leadership experience; an outstanding record that demonstrates their commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism; deep commitment to collegiality and academic freedom; and the ability to nurture productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring a record of passionate advocacy; they will be expected to champion the School of Science & the Environment within the university and its wider contributions to an ever more socially resilient, economically prosperous, culturally vibrant, inclusive, healthy, and sustainable Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, and world.

TO APPLY
The appointment, which is renewable, is for five years and will take effect on January 1, 2026 or as mutually agreed upon. Consideration of candidates will commence in April and continue until the position is filled. To apply, interested candidates must submit:

Curriculum vitae
Application letter
Statement on contributions to Indigenization and EDI-AR
Applications should be submitted digitally to vpgrenfell@mun.ca

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2025

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities/racialized people; and people with disabilities.

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