Dean, Faculty of Science

Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement.

UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with over 6,500 graduate students and 28,500 undergraduate students, over 1,800 academic staff, and over 3,200 non-academic staff in 14 Faculties, across five campuses.  The vibrant and research-intensive environment at UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres.  The recently completed Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High, was the third-largest fundraising campaign in Canadian history, raising $1.41 Billion to support student experience, knowledge creation, and innovations.  UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada.

"Growth through focus," is a new strategy to ignite our entrepreneurial spirit to turn challenges into opportunities to improve the world around us. It will help to meet our Eyes High academic and research ambitions and strengthen our community engagement in one of Canada’s most diverse cities, whose exciting future is unfolding rapidly and scientific disciplines will play a major role.  Built around three big ideas, the new strategic plan will distinguish our university and drive growth: transdisciplinary scholarship, integration with our community and future-focused program delivery that will see us expand a more flexible and customizable UCalgary education experience.

To learn more about this vision please see:  https://ucalgary.ca/president/congress

The Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary is rising to meet the challenges of a changing world - a world that is looking to science to answer tough questions about our future, whether they are about digital economies, personalized health, energy transition, or understanding earth's evolving systems.  The Faculty benefits from the expertise of 230 faculty members and 19 research chairs spanning six departments (Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Chemistry, Geoscience, and Physics and Astronomy) and six multidisciplinary programs (Computational Media Design, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Data Science, Nanoscience, Neuroscience).

The Faculty is uniquely positioned to help Alberta’s economy transform using innovation-based science, and by building a strong ecosystem that weaves together academic research capabilities, industry innovation needs and deployment opportunities, and other partners.  The Faculty of Science has been catalyzing change and inspiring discovery, creativity, and innovation for over 50 years, represented by a global network of 27,203 alumni across 150 countries.  With $49.2 million in external annual research funding (2019-2020), the Faculty provides a stimulating environment where 4,900 undergraduate students and 800 graduate students can thrive with innovative programs, hands-on research opportunities, and access to cutting-edge laboratories.  

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean leads the strategic direction and is the key advocate for the importance of science and scientific understanding across the University of Calgary - promoting collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative academic and research activities.  This visionary leader is also responsible for faculty and academic professional staff development, budget oversight and planning, fund development, facilities and research, while fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty and staff. A high-profile dynamic community leader and scholar, the Dean pursues partnerships for the Faculty of Science across UCalgary, with the Alberta community, external stakeholders, industries, and organizations, and with the national and international science community.  The relationships and linkages established with stakeholders are instrumental to the Dean’s, the Faculty’s , and the University’s success.  The appointment as Dean, Faculty of Science is for a five-year period with the possibility of renewal. 

The successful candidate will possess a PhD and qualifications commensurate with an appointment With Tenure at the rank of Full Professor, and extensive experience leading in a large complex organization.  The ideal candidate is a visionary leader and distinguished scientist with a notable track record in academia, industry, or government.  This leader has a proven capacity to advocate, build trust, influence, and encourage interdisciplinarity and cross-faculty collaboration.  Strong candidates will demonstrate proven success in community engagement, research and teaching excellence.  They will also be experienced in acquiring external funding of science initiatives and developing relationships with the local, national and international scientific communities, government, or alumni.    

With an authentic commitment to, and an impactful understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion principles and Indigenous engagement, this leader exhibits the ability to lead change and inspire and engage faculty, students, staff, administrators and community partners.  The candidate will actively lead implementation of the Indigenous strategy, ii' taapoh'to'p in the Faculty as well as addressing barriers to equity, diversity, and inclusion through measurable actions (https://www.ucalgary.ca/indigenous/ii-taapohtop).

Recently ranked the 5th most liveable city in the world (2019) by The Economist, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA).    Situated in the traditional territory of the people of the treaty 7 region and home to Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3 where the Canadian plains reach the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an unspoiled, resource-rich natural environment.

Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world’s best country to live in, Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.

The University of Calgary’s comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members.  The salary range for this position is $225,000 - $284,000 per annum and will be negotiated based on the candidate’s skills and experience.  To learn about our comprehensive benefits package for this Calgary-based, English speaking position, please visit http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.

As an inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here.  In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply.  We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

To explore this opportunity further, please send your CV and Letter of Interest in confidence to UofCScience@jssearch.ca.