British Columbia Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing

University of Victoria

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim, our location breeds a profound passion for exploration. Defined by its edges, this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It’s different here, naturally and by design. We live, learn, work and explore on the edge of what’s next — for our planet and its peoples. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. Experience the edge of possibilities for yourself.
The University of Victoria campus is located on the territories of Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, and we are privileged to do our work in a way that is inspired by their history, presence, customs, and culture. Our connections to Indigenous communities, and efforts to actively decolonize and give space for Indigenous resurgence, are important to us.
The Department of Geography invites applications from senior researchers for a British Columbia Leadership Chair in Environmental Remote Sensing, supported by the provincially funded British Columbia Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF). The LEEF program is an endowment established by the Government of British Columbia to fund permanent BC Leadership Chairs at universities in the province. The endowed Chairs are designed to attract world-class faculty, strengthen the province’s capacity for innovative research, promote British Columbia as a centre for cutting-edge research, enhance economic development and position the province as a leader in the knowledge-based economy.
The Leadership Chair will build upon UVic’s strengths in use of advanced remote sensing and geospatial analysis to focus on the following key tasks:
1. Applications Development
Applications development research will focus on the development and improvement of parameters for measuring ecosystem health, including for example (but not limited to):
• measures of forest productivity and health
• estimates of carbon stocks and budgets
• indices of environmental degradation
• habitat metrics in coastal marine environments
• indices of crop health in agricultural regions
2. Algorithm Development
The development of algorithms allows the retrieval of, for example, key ecosystem parameters. Algorithm development will focus on information extraction and modelling support.
3. System Development
The Chair will be expected to work closely with partners on campus, in the community, and in industry, to develop comprehensive systems that can be applied in monitoring and assessment programs. The data produced will be of significant value in decisions related to resource and environmental management.
A LEEF Chair is a major career recognition and recruitment program for the Province of British Columbia, intended to recruit exceptional scholars with established international profiles to BC. The successful applicant will be nominated by the University for a LEEF Chair and, upon approval by the BC LEEF Secretariat, will then be offered the position of Associate or Full Professor with Tenure. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023.
Qualified candidates will have a PhD in Geography or a related discipline. We seek, in particular, applicants with an established leadership profile and international presence in the use of remote sensing techniques to address large-scale, integrated questions. The successful candidate will develop a research program broadly in the area of natural resource management in BC, as specified above. External partners, ideally including BC First Nations, are expected to be an integral part of the candidate’s efforts to guide research focus and benefit from resulting solutions. In addition to external partners, it is expected the Chair will develop strong ties within the University, taking advantage of the strength in community engagement expertise and experiential learning focus found at UVic. To engage in this work, it is expected that the candidate can demonstrate knowledge of and/or willingness to learn about the unique context of environmental governance in BC with respect to historical and ongoing colonialism and Indigenous resurgence.
The successful applicant is expected to lead a high-quality, original research program that will build upon their national and international stature to attract and develop excellent students and researchers. Applicants must have demonstrated their support for equity, diversity and inclusion in university or other settings. The Chair is also expected to be a high-quality teacher, with a track record of creating inclusive class environments and supporting a diverse student body, and with the ability to teach core courses in remote sensing applications.
The University encourages applicants in this preferential hire. In accordance with the university’s equity plan and pursuant to section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to members of the following designated groups: Indigenous Peoples, Black persons, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women. Candidates from these groups who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify in their application in the cover letter. The committee will review other applications if it does not find a suitable candidate in the initial pool.
The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.
The Department of Geography consists of a diverse, welcoming community housing an integrative teaching and research environment that prepares students to address pressing socio-ecological dimensions of sustainability. It is home to 23 faculty members and offers a comprehensive program, including BA, BSc, MA, MSc, and PhD degrees, and is proud to be a community where disciplines intersect – with a focus on understanding people and their environment. Faculty members within the highly interdisciplinary department view problems from multiple perspectives, including physical science, social science and humanities.
For more information about the Department, and the University and Victoria, please see: www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/geography/ and www.uvic.ca/future-faculty-staff/home/about/index.php.
To be considered for this position, please submit a completed application package including:
(1) A cover letter providing an overview of how the candidate’s qualifications fulfill the criteria above, including demonstration of:
• A mature research program that considers various remote sensing tools/platforms/methods, linking this to field work – a key feature of our Department.
• A demonstrated history of working with diverse groups. This can include rural or Indigenous communities, municipalities, or the industrial/resource sector.
(2) A detailed curriculum vitae.
(3) A maximum two-page description of the candidate’s proposed research program, outlining the plan to engage with the BC coastal, climatic, or natural resources context as per the key tasks identified above.
(4) A one-page description of the candidate’s three most important research contributions to date.
(5) A maximum two-page statement of teaching experience and approach, including evidence of teaching effectiveness and working well with diverse students.
(6) A one-page statement identifying strengths and experiences in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
(7) Contact information for three referees.
The application package should be sent to Dr. David Atkinson, Chair of the Search Committee. In order to be considered, application packages must be received in one PDF file at geogchair@uvic.ca by April 30, 2023.
Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.
UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity. Read our full equity statement.
The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association.
Details of the BC Leading Edge Endowment Fund may be found here: https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2008/sp/ae/default.aspx?hash=6