Assistant Professor, Biological Anthropology

University of Northern British Columbia

Medical Anthropology in Global Health Department of Anthropology
Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities
Tenure-Track

Posting #FAANTH01-23 BW

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Anthropology at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2024. 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.

We seek an individual in Biological Anthropology who is a Medical Anthropologist concerned with Global Health, with strong methodological and theoretical foundations, and with areas of focus that may include: disease/epidemiology, wellness & inequality; climate/environmental change and crisis; displacement and migration; indigenous communities; gender; and/or disability. Expertise in any of: bio-skeletal studies; dental morphology; isotopic, molecular, or genetic analyses; and/or quantitative analyses would be an asset. Regional specialization is open but should complement that of the existing faculty. We are looking for an enthusiastic and charismatic instructor who will complement and work well with colleagues within Anthropology and related disciplines and who is capable of attracting students to the discipline of Anthropology.

The UNBC Department of Anthropology offers undergraduate degrees as well as opportunities for graduate teaching and supervision in other programs such as Interdisciplinary Studies, in preparation for careers in both the public and private sectors. Our program critically addresses issues of identity, social justice and heritage as we provide a four-field approach to the discipline, and seek to strengthen the integration across these subfields of Anthropology. We offer field schools in both ethnography and archaeology. For more information about the Anthropology Department, visit our website at https://www2.unbc.ca/anthropology.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses that contribute to the delivery of the department curriculum. They must be able to teach both broadly across Anthropology and specifically Biological Anthropology, as well as more in-depth advanced courses. They will be expected to teach the integrated introductory course, and an introduction to biological Anthropology, medical Anthropology, a methods course, biological Anthropology survey courses, and courses suited to the research specializations of the successful candidate. Teaching experience and innovation that is inclusive, student-focused, and experiential, as well as experience and willingness to teach courses using online delivery, will be considered an asset. The candidate should provide clear evidence of a record and commitment towards teaching excellence.

Experience in conducting interdisciplinary and/or community-based research will be an asset. As UNBC plays a role in serving the communities of northern British Columbia, a willingness to comparatively bridge globally focused work with the issues faced locally is welcomed in any candidate considered. Alternatively, we would consider a candidate whose current research is focused locally but who is developing more globally focused and comparative work.

Applicants for this position should hold a Ph.D. and provide evidence of an established research program with the potential for publications and research funding. Their research should complement and extend the existing strengths of the Department of Anthropology. Demonstrating the ability to incorporate non-Western methods and ontologies will be an asset to collaborative research approaches across the department and related disciplines. The ideal candidate will have a research agenda that could include student participation.

A collegial and collaborative approach to work in the department, faculty, and university, such as in teaching and service, is essential. We value a team approach, and a shared appreciation for the role Anthropology plays in a range of communities in the promotion of a diversity of experiences and voices. We welcome candidates with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

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 the 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-Central 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 ~74,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.


To Apply

Applicants should forward the following documents to FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca or mail to Office of the Provost quoting the posting number (#FAANTH01-23 BW):

o cover letter indicating potential contributions to the 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://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idrevisedmay2022-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.

Mail Submissions: Office of the Provost, University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way, Prince George, B.C., V2N 4Z9

Email Submissions: FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca

Inquiries: Dr. Angèle Smith, Professor and Chair of Anthropology
Angele.Smith@unbc.ca
(250) 960-6492

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Applications received on or before October 1, 2023, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.