Saint Mary's University
Location: Nova Scotia
Date posted: 2023-12-08
Advertised until: 2024-02-06
Posting Deadline: 19 January 2024
At Saint Mary’s University, you will be surrounded by a talented and dedicated team of professionals committed to accessibility, diversity, and the provision of a positive and supportive learning environment. We recognize the importance of the contribution and growth of each individual in the University’s success. We are currently looking to fill the position of Tier 2 Canada Research Chair to join our Biology Department team.
Job Information and Responsibilities
The Biology Department at Saint Mary’s University (SMU) is seeking an emerging scholar as a candidate for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 appointment in Global Change Biology. We aim to nominate a candidate for this position who takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the impacts of human activities, including climate change, land-use change, biodiversity loss, and other global environmental changes on the biology of organisms. The successful applicant will be nominated by the University for a CRC Tier 2 and, upon approval by the CRC Secretariat, be offered a tenure-track faculty appointment at either the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The SMU Faculty Union’s collective agreement with the university, which outlines salary scales and other elements associated with the faculty role, may be reviewed here:
https://www.smu.ca/webfiles/SMUFUCASeptember12022toAugust312025-DraftNewAgreement-April2420232.pdf.
The Faculty of Science, which houses the Biology Department, has undergone significant renewal, with many new and active faculty involved in teaching and research. Our facilities have been renewed and all spaces within the Faculty of Science have been renovated and upgraded. We are working to establish and build upon areas of distinct research strength and through those foster collaborations locally, regionally, and internationally – this is reflected in our renewed Strategic Research Plan (https://news.smu.ca/research-plan), with this Global Change Biologist supporting the identified Major Theme of Climate Change and the Environment.
The Biology Department supports 11 full-time faculty engaged in externally-funded research programs with expertise spanning cellular biology and genetics to physiology, behavioural ecology, and ecosystem restoration. With many of our faculty investigating indirect effects of climate change – such as habitat loss and environmental contamination at various levels of biological organization (e.g., genetics, physiology, ecological communities) – the addition of a dedicated Global Change Biology research program that directly addresses the impacts of climate change on organisms will round out the department’s research profile and enrich existing inter-departmental synergy.
This Global Change Biologist will improve the representation of scientists from historically excluded groups. Therefore, in alignment with SMU’s CRC Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan (https://www.smu.ca/fgsr/fgsr-canada-research-chairs-program.html), this position is designated for members of the following equity-deserving groups as defined by CRC: racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and women and gender equity-seeking groups. Only candidates that self-identify as belonging to one of these groups will be considered. Candidates will be provided opportunity to self-identify following submission of their application.
Experience and Education Requirements
In accordance with the regulations for the Canada Research Chairs (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx), the successful candidate who will be nominated for the CRC Tier 2 appointment must be within 10 years of receiving their Ph.D. at the time of nomination. The successful candidate will be an emerging scholar who has a demonstrated research productivity and potential to achieve international recognition within the next 5-10 years. The appointee will be expected to establish an independent, creative, and high-impact research program based on external research funding within the general area of Global Change Biology.
Saint Mary’s University recognizes the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Potential candidates are encouraged to explain within their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record, and to submit a full career or extended CV to a chairholder position in cases where they have had career interruptions.
Application Details
To apply for this opportunity, qualified candidates should submit an application package consisting of:
- A cover letter outlining how the applicant’s background aligns with the desired qualifications, and which of the Department’s current course offerings the applicant would most like to teach
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae
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A research statement including:
- A summary of the applicant’s three most significant contributions to research (publications/presentations/reports/patents on a specific subject can be grouped into one contribution; maximum of 2 pages),
- A short-term (5 years) and longer-term research plan (maximum of 2 pages)
- A teaching dossier that includes evidence of teaching effectiveness with student evaluations of past teaching (if available)
- The names, addresses, and email contacts of three persons that are best able to describe the applicant’s suitability for this position
Please send application packages as a single pdf file to Dr. Laura Weir, Biology Department Chairperson (laura.weir@smu.ca).
We appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls or email messages please.
At Saint Mary’s University equity and diversity are integral to excellence and enrich our community. As an institution committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity and others who might contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at hr@smu.ca
About Saint Mary’s University
Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s top primarily undergraduate universities—known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada’s best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary’s provides our 7,000 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast, Saint Mary’s University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary’s University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world—a world without limits.
