Environment and Sustainability – Assistant Professor (Sustainability Solutions)

University of Saskatchewan

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) invites applications from outstanding scholars for a full-time tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Sustainability Solutions, here defined as actions or innovations that help achieve sustainability goals, with a focus on moving beyond theory toward meaningful solutions. We value applicants who focus on solutions, such as regenerative sustainability which aims to improve the well-being of society and the environment in ways that enhance the support systems needed for future prosperity. Regenerative sustainability focuses on creating net positive outcomes and proposing solutions, not just reducing harm or doing no harm. It seeks to restore, regenerate, and enhance the natural and social systems that we depend on.

The School of Environment and Sustainability is home to a diverse and interdisciplinary group of faculty who engage in collaborative and community-engaged scholarship to solve pressing issues that concern our planet, including complex sustainability challenges related to global water security, regenerating and sustaining healthy ecosystems, conserving biocultural diversity, assessing and managing pollution, improving rural and remote energy security, and advancing good environmental governance – all aligned with USask Signature Research Areas and several of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

We are seeking a candidate whose current or proposed research program and vision align with those of SENS’ faculty and academic programs in the area of sustainability, who ideally has experience working in research teams spanning the natural and social sciences, and who can work with partners outside of academia. The successful candidate should be able to teach in multiple SENS sustainability courses including one or more of Regenerative Sustainability, Systems Thinking, Sustainability in Theory and Practice, and Sustainability in Action. A candidate who has worked outside of academia may also be well-positioned to support professional skills development across our professional and thesis-based programs. We will prioritize candidates who clearly articulate how their research and teaching contributions will enhance SENS’ sustainability-related research and teaching themes.

The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities and houses superb, specialized facilities. Its main campus is situated in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River known for its quality of life, diverse and thriving economic base, affordability, vibrant arts community, and range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 26,000.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a dynamic candidate who can develop and sustain an externally funded, innovative, impactful, and successful research program, engage in creative teaching excellence at the graduate and/or undergraduate level, and complement the expertise of the existing interdisciplinary SENS faculty. Candidates should also demonstrate the administrative, organizational, interpersonal, and mentoring skills required to coordinate active-learning classes and the skills necessary to work collaboratively with other members of the School and the broader community (both inside and outside of the university).

Key qualifications for the position include:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a discipline that is directly relevant to this position; post-doctoral experience is desirable but not essential.
• Evidence as an emerging scholar in solution-oriented, interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary research with a focus on sustainability.
• High-quality publications or other research outputs with impact (candidate to articulate), appropriate for stage of career and the candidate’s field of research.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining competitively awarded research funding, ideally including grants from the Canadian Tri-Agencies (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) or similarly competitive programs.
• Experience with the supervision of students and/or other highly qualified personnel.
• Evidence of graduate and/or undergraduate teaching; online or hybrid teaching experience is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, as demonstrated through evidence of collaborative interactions, community engagement, and team collegiality.

We are seeking someone displaying academic excellence and the potential to become a leader in their field. We favour candidates who value diversity and inclusion, and whose scholarship, teaching and service align with our commitment to equity. The ideal candidate would contribute to the diversity of the School’s existing faculty complement. The School is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in its faculty complement and is determined to support career opportunities for members of the Four Designated Groups (women and gender minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and racialized minorities) defined under the Employment Equity Act.

The successful candidate will be appointed to a tenure-track position in the School of Environment and Sustainability. The standard salary band for an assistant professor position for the 2022-2023 academic year was $99,945 – $120,099, with the possibility of merit-based additions (the 2023-2024 salary ranges are not yet available). Relocation assistance is available for applicants from outside of Saskatchewan. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which consists of a dental, health, and extended vision care plan; a pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, and death benefits; an employee assistance program; a professional expense allowance; and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

How to Apply
Applications for this position should include a cover letter outlining the candidate’s fit with the advertised position and with the School of Environment and Sustainability, a detailed curriculum vitae, a summary of research achievements and how their proposed research program would address some of the abovementioned target research areas (2-pages max), a statement on teaching interests and philosophy (1-page max), a statement on how the candidate’s teaching, research, and/or mentorship experience demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion (1-page max), and the names and contact information for three referees. Applications should be submitted to Karsten Liber, Executive Director, School of Environment and Sustainability c/o jennifer.milburn@usask.ca. Review of applications will begin on February 29, 2024; however, applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled.

(Mandatory Language)
Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this position, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.