Assistant Professor

Environmental History

Department of History

Faculty of ​Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities

Tenure-Track

Posting #​FAHIST01-23​ NA

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a ​tenure-track​ position in the Department of History 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 scholar with a specialization in Environmental History. The geographic, thematic, and temporal field is open. Applicants should have a completed PhD by the time of employment, an established program of research, and a record of teaching excellence and success. Of interest is research and teaching strength in environmental history of the ancient world, indigenous history, or North America; however, research and teaching interests in all areas of environmental history will be considered. 

The Department of History offers undergraduate and graduate degrees aimed at developing critical skills for active and full citizenship, fostering independent learning through research, applying skills to community involvement and employment, and increasing understanding of the emergence of the modern world. Our program has opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research with faculty, experiential learning courses, and internships with local organizations. For more information about the History Department, visit our website at: http://www.unbc.ca/history.  

The successful applicant will be expected to teach courses which contribute to the department curriculum. Such courses should include an introduction to environmental history course as well as lower-level survey and upper-level courses in their area of expertise. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to the Department of History’s graduate program, including the potential to teach our graduate methods course. The ability to complement and extend the History Department’s established strengths is essential. 

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 FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca or mail to Office of the Provost quoting the posting number (#​FAHIST01-23​ 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. 

• the Self-Identification from, which can be found here:  

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at wellbeing@unbc.ca.  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: FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca

Inquiries:

Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot, Chair of History

Dana.WessellLightfoot@unbc.ca

250-960-5706

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 January 31, 2024, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.