Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Climate and Global Change

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The Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in the natural sciences, in the area of Climate and Global Change. The successful candidate could be appointed in the Department of Geography and Environment, or the Department of Biological Sciences, or both.

The CRC Program has a method for establishing equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Act. The purpose of this measure is to increase and ensure equitable representation and contributions of skilled and experienced members of the four designated groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and gender minorities, in the allocation of Canada Research Chair positions. In recognition of the underrepresentation of racialized scholars in our chairholders, and in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, only applicants who self-identify as a racialized individual will be considered for this CRC opportunity. As a requirement of this position, candidates are asked to complete the confidential self-identification form during the final application process. Please see the CRC website for additional information about self-identification.

We are seeking an exceptional scholar who can strengthen our research capacity in the fields of geography, environmental science, and/or biological sciences. Potential areas of studies should complement existing research strengths at the University of Lethbridge.

Applications are invited from individuals with research interests in climate change and global change, broadly defined. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following examples. (i) Empirical or theoretical studies of the causes and/or consequences of climate change in natural or human-dominated environments. (ii) Studies of the response of organisms or ecosystems to any global change phenomenon, including climate change, altered biogeochemical cycles or reductions in biodiversity.

The successful candidate must also have the interest and expertise to teach science courses (existing or newly developed) within the curriculum offered by the Department of Biological Sciences (BIOL), Department of Geography & Environment (GEOG), or the Environmental Science program (ENVS) (https://www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/academic-calendar.

Building on a foundation of excellence in liberal education, the University of Lethbridge has evolved into one of Canada’s leading comprehensive academic and research universities. The University of Lethbridge is home to many world-class researchers, research centres and institutes, fostering excellence in research by facilitating collaboration within and across disciplines. The Departments of Geography and Environment and Biological Sciences have earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in research on water, agriculture, geospatial science, and ecosystem function. We also have excellence in climate change impacts and northern environments.

The successful candidate will have an established research portfolio and will demonstrate an ability to build an internationally recognized research program that will attract outstanding graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The successful candidate will obtain competitively awarded external research funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and other granting agencies to support a vibrant, innovative, and collaborative research program and to train the next generation of scientists and innovators.

The Canada Research Chair (CRC) program was established by the Canadian Federal Government with the purpose of attracting outstanding researchers to the Canadian university system.

Qualifications
Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent), be within 10 years of receiving their highest degree, and be an exceptional emerging researcher, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
The University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family, and community will have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement, and these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Tier 2 Chair nominees may be more than 10 years from their highest degree if they have experienced legitimate career interruptions. More information on the CRC program, including eligibility criteria, is found at http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca.

The University of Lethbridge is strongly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. This is demonstrated by its work with the Blackfoot Confederacy. The university strives to provide access and opportunities to historically excluded groups identified under the Employment Equity Act and to meet equity and diversity targets as a key consideration when allocating a Chair position.

Application Process
Applications for this position must include:

• a letter of application;
• a curriculum vitae;
• three of the applicant’s most influential publications (or other research contributions);
• a comprehensive Canada Research Chair vision statement and research plan of no longer than 5 pages, including a description on how they intend to develop externally funded research projects;
• a statement no longer than 3 pages emphasizing their research mentorship experience, teaching philosophy, and their experiences in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization within their practices.

Short-listed candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three academic referees.

For details on how to submit your application, please visit our Human Resources website at https://uleth.peopleadmin.ca/ (use the Academic Postings tab). Enquiries may be directed to Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Associate Dean of Arts and Science at [email protected]

The position will remain open until filled, with initial review of applications beginning on November 3, 2025. Please note that the offer of this tenure-track position is conditional on a successful Tier 2 Canada Research Chair application. The anticipated starting date for the position is January 1, 2027.

About University of Lethbridge
Founded in 1967, on traditional Blackfoot land, the University of Lethbridge is home to 8,900 undergraduate and graduate students. With campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, we are one of Canada’s top ranked universities and leading research institutions. Our Blackfoot name, gifted to us by Elder Bruce Wolf Child, is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone.

Located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory, the University of Lethbridge serves the people of southern Alberta through programs, research and creative activity that contribute to economic and social prosperity locally and globally. Founded on the principles of liberal education, the University of Lethbridge is broad in scope while promoting excellence in undergraduate and graduate education that prepares students to understand and address an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

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