Environmental Studies Assistant Professor (Indigenous) - Tenure Track

University of Victoria

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies (Indigenous) School of Environmental Studies
University of Victoria

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2025

We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋ peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱ SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

In accordance with the University's equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be limited to members of the following designated group: Indigenous persons. Candidates must self-identify in the cover letter of their application to be considered for this position. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

The School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure track). The School of Environmental Studies, https://www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/environmental/index.php, is supported by three overlapping streams of scholarship: political ecology, ethnoecology, and ecological restoration. The School is flourishing thanks to close cooperation, mutual respect, and camaraderie among faculty and staff.

The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $117,675 - $145,364. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

We are seeking to expand our complement of Indigenous scholars in the School, and to strengthen our teaching and research in the areas of Indigenous-led ethnoecology, political ecology, or ecological restoration, broadly conceived. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to our core teaching in one of these areas, and lead a research program that critically engages with contemporary environmental challenges. We encourage applications from candidates with commitments to community-based research and research with Indigenous communities. If you aren’t certain whether or how you fit within these themes, we encourage you to reach out to discuss your research and teaching with the Director, Professor Deborah Curran (ses@uvic.ca)

UVic has demonstrated commitment to upholding Indigenous authority, creating a VP Indigenous Office, and launching a new Indigenous Plan. There is a growing community of Indigenous scholars, staff, and students; a range of resources to support Indigenous research and teaching on campus; and our new Collective Agreement upholds these commitments https://www.uvic.ca/about- uvic/about-the-university/indigenous-focus/index.php

Candidates will be evaluated on the criteria that follow. The successful candidate will have a PhD (or will have one in hand soon after starting the position); will self-identify as Indigenous; will be an emerging world-class researcher in a field that complements existing research strengths in the School; will demonstrate particular creativity in Indigenous environmental-focused research; will have a critical understanding of the complex environmental challenges involving the interaction of social and biophysical systems; will have a proven track record of research, teaching and/or service that is responsive to the needs and priorities of Indigenous peoples, and will be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality. The successful candidate will offer, relative to experience, evidence of high-quality teaching and supervision, including support to diversity and inclusiveness and mentorship of Indigenous students.

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 and in particular we are seeking for this Limited Hire search candidates who are Indigenous. Read our full equity statement here: https://www.uvic.ca/equity/employment-equity/statement/

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 (http://www.uvicfa.ca).

Please submit your application by e-mail to: esapps@uvic.ca, with the subject line: Assistant_Prof_LastName_FirstName.

Applications should include the following in a single PDF:
(1) a cover letter providing an overview of the candidate’s qualifications, including their self-identification as Indigenous; how they fulfill the criteria defined above, and how their research program would complement existing research strengths in the school;
(2) a detailed curriculum vitae;
(3) a maximum 4-page description of the candidate’s proposed research program;
(4) a one-page description of the candidate’s three most important research contributions to date;
(5) a maximum 4-page statement of teaching and/or mentorship experience and approach, including evidence of teaching effectiveness, and an explanation of how teaching interests intersect with ethnoecology, political ecology and/or ecological restoration, the core teaching themes in the School;
(6) a one-page statement identifying their strengths and experiences in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and
(7) contact information for three referees.

Please note that reference checks will be done, and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

The University of Victoria acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and encourages applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions may have had on their record of research achievement.

Application deadline: September 15th

Contact for questions:
Director, Deborah Curran: ses@uvic.ca

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.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, including international candidates; if you are neither a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, please indicate if you are authorized to work in Canada and be prepared to provide a copy of your permit authorizing same.