Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Urban Planning for Climate Change

Canada Research Chair, Tier II

Assistant or Associate Professor

Geography and Civil Engineering – Faculty of Social Sciences

Posted Date: June 24, 2020

Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Urban Planning for Climate Change

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. 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 is located on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, and we are privileged to do our work in a way that is inspired by their history, customs and culture.  Our connections to indigenous communities – as well as global communities –  are important to us.

The Departments of Geography and Civil Engineering invite applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Urban Planning for Climate Change. This CRC builds upon UVic’s strengths in urban geography, urban metabolism, climate, building design and sustainability studies, found in these departments and across the University, including in the Centre for Global Studies, Public Administration, Environment Canada’s Water & Climate Impacts Research Center, the Institute of Integrated Energy Systems, the Matrix Institute for Data Sciences, and other units. The successful applicant will be nominated by the University for a Tier 2 CRC and, upon approval by the CRC Secretariat, will then be offered a position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (eligible for tenure). The anticipated start date is July 2021.

Requirements

Tier 2 Chairs are one of Canada’s premier early career recognition and recruitment programs and are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please contact the Strategic Research Initiatives Office at the University of Victoria for more information (sridirector@uvic.ca). Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.

This position is open to either natural or social sciences perspectives, and hence the candidate must be able to develop a CRC proposal that is suitable for submission to either the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The successful applicant will be cross-appointed between the Departments of Geography and Civil Engineering, with Geography serving as the home department. The Department of Geography is proud to be a community where disciplines intersect: our primary focus is understanding people and their environment, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, urban studies, and GIScience. Faculty within the highly interdisciplinary department view problems from multiple perspectives, including physical science, social science and the humanities. The Department of Civil Engineering aims to be the greenest civil engineering department in Canada addressing the most pressing global environmental and sustainability challenges through engineering design, science and practical solutions. Faculty work on interdisciplinary, collaborative research that focuses on reducing the impact of the built environment on the natural environment and developing green engineering solutions. Both departments have developed a collegial environment that nurtures high-quality learning for all students and values the role that diversity, amongst other factors, contributes to their goals.

The research focus of this position will examine 1) how cities can better plan for and adapt to climate change and implement climate mitigation strategies with consideration of social and environmental equity and justice, and 2) how communities can be engaged in the planning process to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The goal of this position is to utilize interdisciplinary approaches to solve urban planning problems and promote the transfer of local solutions to other areas of the globe while bringing global knowledge back to the local level. The scholar may conduct urban planning and climate mitigation/adaptation studies at various scales from local communities to global processes and interactions. With strong ties to multiple unities (engineering, social science and public administration) and multiple research centers, the Chair is expected to encourage more collaboration, partnerships and interdisciplinary approaches on campus and with external colleagues and partners.

The University seeks an emerging world-class researcher at the intersections of urban planning and climate change. Excellence in scholarship can be demonstrated in different ways and should include examples of sustained publication in top-tier journals, high-impact writing on community-engaged research, and/or a commitment to knowledge mobilization through various forms of public engagement. The successful applicant is expected to lead a high-quality, original research program, with the potential to achieve international recognition while attracting and mentoring excellent students and researchers. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their support for diversity and inclusiveness in University or other settings. The Chair is also expected to be a high-quality teacher, creating inclusive class environments and supporting a diverse student body, and with the ability to teach core courses in geography and an upper-level interdisciplinary course in civil engineering.

Additional information

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 (www.uvicfa.ca).

Contact information

To be considered, please submit a completed application package including:

(1) a cover letter providing an overview of how the candidate’s qualifications fulfill the criteria above;

(2) a detailed curriculum vitae;

(3) a maximum two-page description of the candidate’s proposed research program;

(4) a one-page description of the candidate’s three most significant 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 their strengths and experiences in promoting diversity; and

(7) contact information for three referees. 

The application package should be uploaded at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/16482, addressed to Dr. Maycira Costa, Chair of Search Committee. In order to be considered, application packages must be received by August 15, 2020.  You are asked to upload your C.V. and other personal information to this service, which is provided for the convenience of you and your referees. The service stores data on servers located outside of Canada; the data is therefore not in the custody or under the control of the University of Victoria. You may wish to review the privacy statement on https://academicjobsonline.org. If you do not wish to use this service, please submit your complete application package to Diane Braithwaite (dbraith@uvic.ca).

Application deadline

August 15, 2020

Equity statement

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 here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement

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.