Description
The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at the University of British Columbia (UBC) at the Vancouver campus is a leader in examining the complex, interdisciplinary, and nuanced issues in forests today and exploring questions related to the variability and sustainability of our natural resources into the future. The Faculty invites applications for a tenure-stream faculty position (NSERC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair) to expand and complement our existing expertise at the UBC Vancouver campus. We seek an outstanding individual who will play a major role in moving the Faculty forward. We are particularly interested in excellent emerging world-class researchers in the natural sciences who have strong potential for an original, innovative research program of high quality. For this position, applicants must identify as having a disability (please see below for more details).
Research excellence for this position can cover a wide range of natural science disciplines within the domain of forestry and environmental sciences. Disciplines may include, but are not limited to: the global bioeconomy, lifecycle analyses, genomics, computational biology, biometrics, hydrology, geomatics, all levels of ecology, forest operations and management, urban forestry, biomaterials and forest products, bioenergy, land use change and carbon cycle modelling, ecosystem science, social-ecological systems, sustainability science, systems biology, systematic conservation planning, biodiversity, wildlife management, and climate change. Scholars using interdisciplinary natural science approaches are also encouraged to apply.
The position is tenure-stream and is expected to be appointed at the rank of either Assistant or Associate Professor. Applicants should demonstrate an exceptional research record with strong potential for establishing a successful research program. The successful candidate is also expected to play a key role in undergraduate and graduate teaching and contribute to academic service in the Faculty. The successful candidate will have the option to join one of the three departments in the Faculty, depending on their topical focus: Department of Wood Science, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, or Department of Forest Resources Management.
The UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the xmθkym (Musqueam) People. As part of ongoing and University-wide efforts, the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship is committed to taking action towards meaningful reconciliation.
Required Qualifications
Candidates for this position must have a PhD as a UBC requirement, in environmental science and management, natural resources management, sustainability science, forestry, ecology, wood science, or related fields.
The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong potential for scientific publishing and securing research grants and will be expected to develop a strong independent research program. Applicants should also demonstrate a strong interest or experience in conducting collaborative, interdisciplinary work, through existing or proposed research, teaching, leadership, service, community engagement, outreach or other relevant activities.
In addition, preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate commitment to inclusion of diverse and systemically marginalized people, propose outcomes to increase inclusion, and/or provide insights specific to diverse/systemically marginalized communities.
Given the intention for the successful candidate to become a CRC Tier 2 Research Chair, to meet the review criteria of the CRC program, they must be an excellent emerging world-class researcher who has demonstrated research creativity; the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and the ability to propose a high quality original, and innovative research program.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a Tier 2 CRC position. Typically, applicants for Tier 2 Chairs should be no more than 10 years from their highest degree at the time of chair nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from earning their highest degree (and where career breaks such as maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc., exist) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 chair assessed through the CRC program’s Tier 2 justification process. Effective March 1, 2020, research interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized and may be counted as an eligible delay. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website [www.chairs.gc.ca] for further eligibility details.
UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Candidates are welcome to provide a statement of these leaves and their impact on their research productivity if desired.
In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan, and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, this search is restricted to people with disabilities. We welcome applications from disabled scholars who are also members of the following federally designated groups: Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, and women, and gender equity-seeking groups. Applicants to CRC positions are required to complete this equity survey
[https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9] as part of the application, and disabled candidates must self-identify to be considered for the position. Candidates must also provide their name in the survey to be considered.
To be eligible for this CRC position, applicants must self-identify as disabled in the above survey with the definition of “disability” taken from the Accessible Canada Act. According to the Act, “disability means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or a functional limitation—whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society”. See Federal CRC Program Q&A: https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/faqs-questions_frequentes-eng.aspx#3p
Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a), 26(c) and 26(e) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this restricted process, and to advance accessibility, equity, and fair adjudication in this process. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and only the names of those eligible for the search process will be shared confidentially with the search committee. All responses will be stored in a secure database.
Application Process
Applicants to CRC positions are required to complete this equity survey [https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9 ] as part of the application to confirm their eligibility.
Applicants should apply through the UBC Faculty Careers website: JR24063.
Applications should include the following in a single pdf document:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Research Statement (up to 2 pages) describing your current and proposed research program.
4. Statement (up to 1 page) of teaching interests and accomplishments, including specific interests and ideas for courses in the UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship.
5. Statement (up to 1 page) identifying your past/proposed contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, along with your ability to work with a diverse student body, including those with reduced accessibility (giving specific examples where possible).
6. Up to 3 representative publications.
7. Names and contact information for three employment references.
The deadline for applications is May 14, 2026. The desired starting date for this position is July 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The expected salary range for this position is commensurate with experience and level:
Assistant professor - $120,000 to 140,000 CAD
Associate professor - $130,000 to 150,000 CAD
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all candidates (including but not limited to disabled people). Confidential accommodations are available on request by contacting Dr. Hisham Zerriffi, Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, UBC Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship at hisham.zerriffi@ubc.ca.
If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Center for Workplace Accessibility website at https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and- wellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility or contact the Centre at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca
Questions about the position may be directed to the Chairs of the Search Committee: Dr. Sara Barron (sara.barron@ubc.ca) and Dr. Matthew Mitchell (matthew.mitchell@ubc.ca).
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. 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.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
