Environmental Change and Artificial Intelligence – Assistant Professor

University of Ottawa – Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics

The Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Environmental Change and Artificial Intelligence, beginning January 1, 2024. The ideal candidates will investigate the human and/or biophysical implications of environmental (climate) change using machine learning, with a specific focus on deep learning and big data. The successful candidate is expected to develop an externally funded research program with strong connections to industry, government, and relevant end-users, stakeholders and rights holders, while also contributing to undergraduate and graduate programs. Preference will be given to candidates who can teach courses related to applied spatial data science and within our Environmental Studies or Anthropocene programs. Generous start-up funding will be received from the Faculty of Arts.

The successful candidate will join an innovative and collaborative department of fifteen full-time professors with expertise in a wide range of fields, including climate change, environmental and community impacts, cold regions (human and biophysical), urban environments, culture and sustainability, geomatics, spatial data science, and AI. Our department maintains close collaborations with researchers in other departments at uOttawa, and those at nearby universities and in government. We offer BA, BSc, MA, MSc and PhD programs. The Faculty of Arts maintains three computer teaching laboratories and several geomatics and physical geography laboratories.

Title of the Position: Assistant Professor, but higher ranks may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Duties: The responsibilities include: 1) establishing and maintaining a robust, externally- funded research program; 2) recruiting and supervising graduate students; 3) teaching undergraduate and graduate courses that contribute to existing programs in the department; and 4) contributing to administrative and academic activities for the department and faculty.

Terms: Tenure-track position

Wage: Salary scale for an assistant professor rank starts at $89,622 (as of May 1, 2023).

Benefits Package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package which includes long-term disability, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, University of Ottawa Pension Plan and optional life insurance, as well as relocation expenses.

Location of Work:  Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, 60 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

Contact Information (inquiries and questions):

Dr. Jackie Dawson, Professor, Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON, K1N 6N5. E-mail: jackie.dawson@uottawa.ca

Required Qualifications: The successful candidate will be a scholar in Environmental Change and Artificial Intelligence, with the following:

• A doctorate (Ph.D.) by January 1, 2024 in a relevant discipline;
• A demonstrated track record of excellence in AI and deep learning with clear applications to environmental challenges and/or solutions;
• Evidence to support the establishment of an innovative research program, including a record of refereed publications and scholarly conferences;
• A demonstrated ability or reasonable plan to attract external funding;
• Evidence of teaching experience or training at the university level;
• A commitment to teaching and graduate training in our Department’s programs, including Environmental Studies and/or The Anthropocene;
• A demonstrated knowledge of and use of principles related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the research and training programs;
• Proficiency in either English or French;
• Active bilingualism in French and English at the time of hire will be considered an asset;
• A minimum of passive bilingualism is required at the time of tenure; language courses and individual language tutoring are available for professors;
• Postdoctoral experience will be considered an asset.

Application Deadline: Applications received by September 22, 2023 will receive full consideration but the position will remain open until filled.

Complete application must be submitted via the University of Ottawa Academic Careers application portal.

Please submit the following application materials as PDF document; cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of two recent peer reviewed publications, statement of research interests, statement of teaching philosophy and students evaluations (if available).

Under separate cover, three confidential letters of reference should be sent directly by the referees to:

Gita Kanags, Information Officer
Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics
University of Ottawa
Email: secretaire.geographie-geography.secretary@uottawa.ca

Short-listed candidates will be invited to present their research to professors and students.

For more detail on our unit, please visit: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics | Faculty of Arts (uottawa.ca)

The University of Ottawa is a dynamic community of students, researchers, professionals, and academics in pursuit of great things. Our vision for the university of tomorrow is one that reflects the diversity of its people, their ideas, and their identities. We believe in the power of representation, and that increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff supports this objective.

One way in which we are starting to affect change, is by promoting more inclusive practices for staff and faculty recruitment. This includes more diversified and cross-functional selection committees, the use of self-representation surveys and equity data, guarding against biases through education, policies and procedures, as well as broadening our candidate searches through agencies and community partners.

Our goal is to provide the best student experience, sustained by a campus community they can identify with. To achieve this, we are seeking academic candidates that can best represent a broad intersection of equity-deserving communities, as well as their lived experiences.

According to government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. If you are invited to continue the selection process, please notify us of any particular adaptive measures you might require by contacting the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Faculty Affairs at vra.affairesprofessorales@uottawa.ca . Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.