Biology – Assistant Professor (Evolutionary Biology) – The University of British Columbia

The Department of Zoology in the Faculty of Science at The University of British Columbia invites applications for two Assistant/Associate Professor positions in Evolutionary Biology.  Preference is for appointments at the level of Assistant Professor, although appointments at the Associate Professor level will be considered in exceptional circumstances. These are tenure track/tenured positions, with initial appointments to be made no earlier than July 1, 2024.

We seek applicants with an innovative research program to address fundamental aspects of evolution. We are excited to consider applications from all areas of evolutionary biology. Research areas that we are excited to see include, but are by no means limited to, the following:

• Machine learning/deep learning/ neural nets in evolutionary biology, including methods, data analysis and model testing.
• The development and/or application of comparative and phylogenetic comparative methods.
• High density phenomics, including the collection and/or analysis of large-scale phenotypic datasets related to morphology, behaviour or any other complex phenotype.
• Evolutionary development.
• Field-based approaches to evolutionary biology that study processes in natural settings.

Each position requires a Ph.D. degree, postdoctoral experience, and a strong record of research publications with demonstrated influence and creativity. Responsibilities include establishing and conducting an internationally competitive and externally funded research program, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervising graduate students, and participating on service committees for the department, university, and academic/scientific community. Appointees will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to creating a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or systemically marginalized.

Each successful applicant will become a member of the Department of Zoology (www.zoology.ubc.ca) and a member of the Biodiversity Research Centre (BRC, https://biodiversity.ubc.ca).  The Department of Zoology includes nearly 50 principal investigators and promotes integrative research in biology. Its faculty and students pursue cutting edge questions in Evolution, Ecology, Comparative Animal Physiology and Biomechanics, and Cell and Developmental Biology. Study systems range from molecules to ecosystems. The Biodiversity Research Centre is a world-class, highly interactive institute, comprising nearly 100 labs pursuing ground breaking research in evolution, ecology and conservation. The BRC is associated with the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, which houses over 2 million biological specimens. Evolutionary research in the BRC addresses questions across multiple levels of organization, using genomic, phylogenetic, and whole-organism approaches, both empirical and theoretical.

The Vancouver campus of UBC is situated on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam).  UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. As one of the world’s leading universities, UBC creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.

Applicants should submit:

1. Cover letter (up to 2 pages) that outlines:
   • Your research vision and accomplishments
   • How your expertise, scholarship and planned research will integrate with the Department of Zoology and the BRC.
   • How you have displayed leadership through existing or proposed research, teaching, service, community engagement, outreach, contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, or other relevant activities.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Statement (up to 2 pages) describing your current and proposed research program.
4. Statement (up to 1 page) of teaching interests and accomplishments, and a brief description of those core and specialist topics that you would be excited to teach.
5. Diversity statement (1 page) describing your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion.
6. Up to 3 representative publications.
7. Applicants should arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted to the Academic Jobs Online system. Reference letters must be submitted by the deadline for applications to be fully considered.

Applications must be addressed to Drs. Dolph Schluter and Judith Mank and submitted to Academic Jobs Online: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25398. Deadline for applications is October 1st, 2023.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. 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, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.

Also, within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed by contacting the Zoology Manager of Human Resources (zoology.hr@ubc.ca).