Tier 2 Canada Research Chair

The Department of Forest Resources Management at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a tenure-stream position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Urban Forest Accessibility.

The successful applicant will create a strong research program in urban forest accessibility integrating observations, technologies, and analytical approaches to examine urban forest benefits and reduce accessibility barriers across scales. The successful applicant is also expected to play a key role in undergraduate and graduate teaching in urban forestry.

The UBC Faculty of Forestry is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. As part of ongoing and University-wide efforts, the Faculty of Forestry is committed to taking action towards meaningful reconciliation. The UBC Faculty of Forestry is one of the world’s leading academic institutions in forestry, conducting both national and international research, and providing undergraduate education in seven undergraduate programs: Forest Resources Management, Forest Operations, Urban Forestry, Forest Science, Natural Resources Conservation, Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology, and Wood Products Processing. The successful applicant will be an essential part of the Bachelor of Urban Forestry (BUF) and the Master in Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL) programs.

Required Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have a PhD in environmental science and management, natural resources management, sustainability science, urban forestry or ecology, or related fields. The focus of their research should include urban forestry topics which recognise the experiences of diverse and systemically marginalized communities and engage with communities’ experiences through the lens of minority status, racialization, or disability.

The ideal candidate will:

• have a demonstrated track record in integrative natural science research connecting urban forestry with new technologies, climate science, ecosystem service provision, biodiversity conservation, urban planning, or human well-being.
• have, or show potential to, undertake research that will inform urban foresters’ site-scale decision making.
• have or show potential for, excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.

In addition, preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate, or have the potential to undertake research that:

• seeks to increase accessibility for diverse and systemically marginalized people.
• examines barriers to the usage of urban forests and proposes outcomes to increase inclusion.
• provides insights specific to diverse/systemically marginalized communities which are usually not considered.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate a strong potential for scientific publishing and securing research grants. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest or experience in conducting collaborative, interdisciplinary work, through existing or proposed research, teaching, leadership, service, community engagement, outreach or other relevant activities. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program and contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring and academic service in the Faculty of Forestry.

Given the intention for the successful candidate to become a CRC Tier 2, to meet the review criteria of the CRC program, they must be an excellent emerging world-class researcher who has demonstrated research creativity; the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers and propose a high quality original, and innovative research program.

Application Process

The deadline for applications is November 30, 2024. The desired starting date for this position is July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Applicants should apply through Workday. Applications should include the following in a single pdf document:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement (up to 2 pages) describing your current and proposed research program, and showing how your work does or has the potential to contribute to more just and accessible urban forestry initiatives and policies.
• Statement (up to 1 page) of teaching interests and accomplishments, including specific interests for teaching courses in the UBC Faculty of Forestry.
• Statement (up to 1 page) identifying your philosophy of and past/proposed contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, along with your ability to work with a diverse student body, including those with reduced accessibility (giving specific examples where possible).
• Up to 3 representative publications.
• Names and contact information for three referees.