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The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim, our location breeds a profound passion for exploration. Defined by its edges, this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It’s different here, naturally and by design. We live, learn, work and explore on the edge of what’s next—for our planet and its peoples. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. Experience the edge of possibilities for yourself. 

The University of Victoria Campus is located on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples and we are privileged to do our work in a way that is inspired by their history, customs and culture. Our connections to Indigenous communities – as well as global communities – are important to us. 

The Departments of Civil Engineering and Geography invite applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 2 in Global Water Sustainability for Indigenous and Rural Communities. This CRC builds upon UVic’s strengths in water research, both in these departments and across the university, including in the Centre for Global Studies, the Faculty of Law, the Water & Climate Impacts Research Centre, and other units. The successful applicant will be nominated by the university for a CRC Tier 2 and, upon approval by the CRC Secretariat, will then be offered a position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (eligible for tenure, or with tenure). The anticipated start date is July 1, 2020. 

Tier 2 CRC Chairs are one of Canada’s premier early career recognition and recruitment programs, and are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. For more information on the CRC program generally and on eligibility specifically, please consult the Canada Research Chairs website.  

The successful applicant will be cross-appointed between the Departments of Civil Engineering and Geography. The Civil Engineering faculty are highly motivated in conducting engineering work that reduces the environmental impacts of human activities, and aims to have the greenest civil engineering program in Canada. The department has developed a collegial environment that nurtures high quality learning for all students, and it values the role that diversity, amongst other factors, contributes to this goal. The Department of Geography is proud to be a community where disciplines intersect – with a focus on understanding people and their environment. Faculty within the highly interdisciplinary department view problems from multiple perspectives, including physical science, social science and humanities.  

The focus of this position is working with Indigenous and rural communities on water problems, and transferring solutions globally. The goal is to take an interdisciplinary approach to solving water problems and promote the transfer of local solutions to other areas of the globe, while bringing global knowledge back to the local level. The scholar should conduct research in global Indigenous and rural contexts (Canadian and/or international) across multiple scales from local communities to global processes and interactions. With strong ties to multiple faculties (engineering, social science and law) and multiple research centers, the Chair is expected to convene and encourage more collaboration, partnerships and interdisciplinary approaches on campus and with external colleagues and partners. 

The University seeks an emerging world-class researcher addressing water sustainability, who engages in community-based research, research with Indigenous communities, internationalization and/or local-to-global knowledge transfer. Excellence in scholarship can be demonstrated in different ways including sustained publication in top-tier journals, and high-impact writing on community-based research. The successful applicant is expected to lead a high-quality, original research program, with the potential to achieve international recognition, while attracting and developing excellent students and researchers. Applicants must have demonstrated their support for diversity and inclusiveness in university or other settings; and show understanding and experience in working respectfully and effectively with Indigenous and rural communities. 

The Chair is also expected to be a high-quality teacher, with a track record of creating inclusive class environments and supporting a diverse student body, and with the ability to teach core courses in civil engineering and inter-disciplinary water courses from geography. Applicants must be eligible for and committed to registration as a professional engineer; this includes the potential to apply for a limited license (requiring a STEM educational background). 

The University encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply, particularly Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. In accordance with the UVic’s Equity Plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Indigenous candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration, must self-identify in their application materials in the cover letter. 

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record. 

To be considered, please submit a completed application package including:  

The application package should be uploaded at https://academicjobsonline.org, addressed to Dr. Chris Kennedy, Chair of Search Committee. In order to be considered, application packages must be received by April 26, 2019. You are asked to upload your C.V. and other personal information to this service, which is provided for the convenience of you and your referees. The service stores data on servers located outside of Canada; the data is therefore not in the custody or under the control of the University of Victoria. You may wish to review the privacy statement on https://academicjobsonline.org. If you do not wish to use this service, please submit your complete application package to CIVErole1@uvic.ca. 

 UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity. Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement  

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. 

Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence. Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association (www.uvicfa.ca). 

 Date posted: 11 March 2019