Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation: University of British Columbia

Posted October 20, 2021

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Human Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation. This will be a joint position in the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES) in the Faculty of Science (http://www.ires.ubc.ca) and the Food and Resource Economics Program (FRE) in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (http://fre.landfood.ubc.ca/). The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022.

This position is part of a cluster hire of five positions (four of which have already been filled) all in the area of restoring and conserving global biodiversity. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research and scholarship team at UBC focused on solutions-oriented approaches to biodiversity loss and its connection to sustainability and adaptive capacity for humanity. For further information, see https://biodiversity.ubc.ca/ibios.

We seek an interdisciplinary scholar who uses econometric and other quantitative techniques to investigate human dimensions of biodiversity conservation. For example, research interests may include how individual and institutional actions affect conservation outcomes, or how biodiversity conservation affects aspects of human well-being. Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or be nearing completion) in economics, natural resource management, environmental social science, public policy, or related fields. They should have strong quantitative skills in econometrics and causal data analysis, and one or more of the following areas: integration and analysis of large social or ecological datasets, social and behavioral field experiments, spatial statistics, and other commensurate approaches. We expect successful candidates will show evidence of working in interdisciplinary teams, and we will favour those whose work is grounded in field studies and in systems approaches (i.e., addressing problems and seeking solutions in the context of broader understandings of social and ecological dynamics).

The successful candidate will be expected to (a) develop an independent, externally funded, and internationally recognized research program; (b) contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, (including a course in Econometrics at FRE, and a course in data analytics at IRES); (c) contribute to mentoring and academic service across both departments, and the interdisciplinary team at IBios; (c) foster active collaborations in research and teaching across the two departments, and the interdisciplinary team at IBios.

Applications must be submitted through the University of British Columbia’s Human Resources online careers page (https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcfacultyjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/Assistant-Professor–Human-Dimensions-of-Biodiversity-Conservation_JR4764). To apply, please include:

A cover letter (up to 2 pages) that includes the candidate’s current student or employment status, and degree title, date of completion and school name of doctoral program. It should also summarize: the candidate’s research agenda, skills/expertise and goals and how these would advance the research vision of the Biodiversity Solutions Team (https://biodiversity.ubc.ca), interest or experience in conducting collaborative, applied, and interdisciplinary research, and contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, or other relevant activities.
Curriculum vitae
A statement (up to 2 pages) describing the candidate’s current and proposed research program and showing how their approach can connect to understanding of biodiversity conservation or solutions to biodiversity crises
A statement (up to 1 page) of teaching interests and accomplishments, addressing how the candidate could teach undergraduate and graduate courses in econometrics and causal analysis, and quantitative data analysis for social scientists
A statement (up to 1 page) identifying previous contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, the ability to work with a culturally diverse student body (with specific examples when possible),and philosophy of and potential future contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion
Up to 3 representative publications, or works in progress
An unofficial transcript or statement of relevant postgraduate courses taken
3 letters of reference

Applicants are asked to complete the following equity survey when they submit their application: (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0cCtQ9RCaa1jvbU). The survey information will not be used to determine eligibility for employment, but will be collated to provide data that can assist us in understanding the diversity of our applicant pool and identifying potential barriers to the employment of designated equity group members. Participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential.

Review of applications will begin on November 25, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the Chair of the Selection Committee c/o melanie.train@ubc.ca.

The UBC Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The University of British Columbia embraces innovation and challenges to the status quo. UBC is dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded throughout the university’s academic and work life, recognizing the significant work remains to be accomplished. For example, UBC’s vision is to be a world leader in the implementation of Indigenous people’s human rights and is guided in a mission of reconciliation as articulated and called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It is firmly committed to recruiting Indigenous faculty, students, and staff as outlined in its Indigenous Strategic Plan. As one of the world’s leading universities, The University of British Columbia 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.

The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) is a problem-focused and curiosity-driven interdisciplinary research institute and graduate program, with interest and expertise in a wide range of topics under the realm of environment and sustainability. Research concentrations at IRES span the natural and social sciences, engineering and public policy fields. Our large graduate program is consistently ranked among the top 15 programs in the world, offering MA, MSc, and PhD degrees. Faculty and students engage in the collaborative study of real world problems that include: ecosystem, human health and resilience; energy, pollution and climate change; land, food, water and waste; emerging technology and development; perceptions, culture, values and behaviour; and environmental governance policy, law and justice. For more information, please visit: http://ires.ubc.ca.

The Food and Resource Economics (FRE) Program uses tools of economic and empirical analysis to examine applied problems in the general area of natural resource and environmental economics (e.g., carbon taxes, conservation and biodiversity, fisheries), commodity markets and trade and food marketing. The FRE Program actively collaborates with other economists at UBC (and also in proximate universities) through a Centre for Food, Resource and Environmental Economics. The Centre facilitates access to a world class and diversified network of expertise in agricultural and environmental economics for our students and researchers. The Program offers a Bachelors in Food and Resource Economics, a professional Masters program in Food and Resource Economics, and supports several research masters and doctoral students through the Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems graduate degree. For more information, please visit: http://fre.landfood.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 of Canada will be given priority.

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