Assistant Professor

Disturbance Ecology

Department of Ecosystem Science & Management

Faculty of Environment Tenure-Track

Posting #FAESM02-24 NA

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2024. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.

The Department is seeking a disturbance ecologist with broad interests in forest ecology and management. Relevant research expertise may be in either abiotic or biotic disturbance agents, but with a focus on forest ecosystems. Research interests could include: wildland fire science, fire ecology, forest insect disturbances, disturbance interactions, forest disturbance mitigation, climate change, silviculture, forest restoration, and related fields that incorporate aspects of how forest ecosystems are impacted and respond to natural or anthropogenic disturbances.

We seek candidates who will develop a vigorous, externally funded long-term research program in one or more aspects of forest disturbance ecology. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in disturbance ecology, forest science, wildfire ecology, plant ecology, landscape ecology, ecological restoration, physical geography, environmental science, or with relevant experience in a closely allied field such as physics or engineering.

The successful candidate will teach or co-teach several courses a year; which may include: disturbance ecology; forest disturbance agents; resource inventories and management; natural resource planning; and other courses in support of the B.Sc. in Forest Ecology and Management, other undergraduate degrees, and/or the NRES Graduate Program.

This position provides the opportunity to conduct research and teach in the diverse forest ecosystems that characterizes British Columbia. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from across the university as well as national and international colleagues, First Nations, government, and the forest industry.

As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship. UNBC’s Dept of Ecosystem Science & Management oversees BSc. undergraduate degrees in: Biology; Conservation Science & Practice; Forest Ecology & Management; and Wildlife & Fisheries, and a BA. degree in Nature and Resource-based Management. Faculty supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) within the Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (NRES) Graduate Program. The program resides within the Faculty of Environment, alongside the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and The School of Planning & Sustainability. UNBC is well equipped with modern research facilities, three field research stations, including two research forests.

Students graduating our degree have diverse knowledge and experience in ecological, operational and social/cultural dimensions of professional forestry and other management-related careers. As such, candidates with relevant professional designations and/or with significant professional experience would be considered an asset.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity

The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “he/she/they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through the respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.

Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

About the University and its Community

Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.

UNBC’s three regional campuses are located in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. The South-Central campus in Quesnel is situated on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff Band), Nazko, Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus Band), and Esdilagh First Nations (formerly Alexandria Band). Lhtako, Nazko, and Lhoosk’uz are Dakelh First Nations, and Esdilagh is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Peace River-Liard campus in Fort St. John is situated on the traditional territory of the Doig River, Blueberry River and Halfway River First Nations. They are the Dunne-Za people. The Northwest campus in Terrace is situated on traditional Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) territory of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. It includes a satellite campus in the coastal community of Prince Rupert.

UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~74,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.

Salary

The salary for this position will be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience as per the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The annual salary range for this position is expected to be from $84,637 to $122,736. Please refer to the link below to the Collective Agreement (Article 48) for more compensation information:

https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/facultyassociationcollectiveagreementjuly12023-june302025-revised.pdf

To Apply

Applicants should forward the following documents to [email protected] or mail to Office of the Provost quoting the posting number (#FAESM02-24 NA):

• cover letter indicating potential contributions to the Program;
• curriculum vitae;
• a brief statement of teaching approaches and research program;
• the names and addresses of three references (including telephone and email information); and
• the Statement of Eligibility to Work in Canada form, which can be found here: https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/statementofemploymenteligibilityjan0520221.pdf.

Voluntary Form:

• the Self-Identification from, which can be found here: https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idrevisedmay2022-fillable.pdf

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at [email protected]. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Mail Submissions:

Office of the Provost, University of Northern British Columbia

3333 University Way, Prince George, B.C., V2N 4Z9

Email Submissions: [email protected]

Inquiries: Dr. Ken Otter, Chair of the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management

[email protected]

250-960-5019

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Applications received on or before February 31, 2024, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.