The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in Plant Biology within the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2024. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.

UNBC’s Dept of Ecosystem Science & Management oversees BSc. undergraduate degrees in: Biology; Conservation Science & Practice; Forest Ecology & Management; and Wildlife & Fisheries, and a BA. degree in Nature and Resource-based Management. Faculty supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) within the Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (NRES) Graduate Program. The program resides within the Faculty of Environment, alongside the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and the School of Planning & Sustainability. UNBC is well equipped with modern research facilities, three field research stations, including two research forests.

We seek candidates who will develop a vigorous, externally funded, long-term research program in botany. Relevant research interests could include plant physiology; plant biochemistry; plant taxonomy; and/or plant ecology. We are particularly interested in individuals with background and/or interest in boreal and temperate forests; intimate knowledge of Canada’s or, especially, British Columbia’s native flora would be considered a great asset.

UNBC campuses sit at the junction of diverse ecosystems, from temperate- and boreal-rainforests to grassland and alpine environments, providing a natural laboratory for field-oriented plant biologists seeking to explore and understand complex ecosystems in collaboration with indigenous communities. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with UNBC faculty with expertise in chemistry, microbial ecology, forest health, meteorology, hydrology, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, natural resource management, and soil science. The new faculty member will also have opportunities to work with Indigenous communities as well as scientists and managers in government, industry, and conservation organizations.

Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in Botany or a closely related discipline. Ideally, applicants will have post-doctoral and/or professional experience and have demonstrated teaching experience at the University level. Candidates should be prepared to teach several courses a year, which could include Plant Biology (UNBC BIOL 204); Forest Plant Systems (UNBC FSTY 201); or Plants, Society and the Environment (UNBC BIOL 304). Students from multiple degree programs within the Ecosystems Science and Management department may participate in these courses. After graduation students have diverse knowledge and experience in ecology, set in a context of current natural resources issues and challenges. As a result, students often pursue professional careers in forestry and applied biology. As such, candidates with relevant professional designations (e.g. RPF, RPBIO, PAg) and/or with professional experience would be considered an asset.

For information including application instructions, please see the below link to the job posting.