University of British Columbia, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Position ID:
Position Title:
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ocean Ecological Modelling
Position Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z4, Canada
Subject Area:
Salary Range:
$220,000-$300,000 per annum
Appl Deadline:
2025/09/12 11:59PM
(posted 2025/07/02, listed until 2025/09/12)
(posted 2025/07/02, listed until 2025/09/12)Position Description:
Position Description
The Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) and the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) at The University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus are recruiting for an outstanding researcher to be nominated for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Ocean Ecological Modelling, at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with tenure. The CERC program, Canada’s highest research chair appointment, is designed to attract and support world-renowned researchers and their teams to Canada. The selected candidate will be nominated for a CERC, with the nomination subject to review and final approval by the CERC Secretariat. This CERC award, if successful, will be for $1M per year for eight years. The CERC in Ocean Ecological Modelling provides a unique opportunity for a leading scholar working at the intersection of oceanography, fisheries science, ecology, biodiversity and/or related fields, to explore how ocean biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, and living marine resources respond to environmental change, and how this knowledge can inform sustainable ocean management and food security. Key research areas include, but are not limited to, the impacts of ongoing ocean deoxygenation, acidification and warming on the dynamics of marine ecosystems, and the adaptive policy responses needed to ensure continuation of the ocean’s capacity to support biodiversity and human society under the cascading effects of these environmental changes. We seek a candidate who develops and applies innovative ocean modelling and data assimilation approaches, bridging numerical analysis with state-of-the-art ocean observations across disciplines to advance fundamental science and inform data-driven ocean policy and management. Working across disciplines, there is an enormous opportunity for globally-significant and societally-relevant work exploring the trajectory of future ocean ecosystems under various environmental and societal scenarios. The successful candidate will be offered a joint UBC appointment in EOAS and IOF, with opportunities for collaboration with UBC researchers in other groups, including the Biodiversity Research Centre (BRC), the Data Science Institute (DSI), the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA). Collaboration across these units will enable the successful candidate to engage with an extraordinary group of interdisciplinary colleagues in shaping the future of ocean science and ocean public policy. UBC is internationally recognized for its research excellence in oceans and fisheries science, biodiversity science, sustainability, environmental economics and public policy. It consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities in Earth and marine sciences, biodiversity science, and environmental science. The university has made substantial investments in these fields, including world-class infrastructure and facilities that will support the successful candidate in building a high-impact research program. The Earth Sciences Building, home to EOAS, offers state-of-the-art laboratory and computational facilities, including advanced ocean observing infrastructure through the Canadian-Pacific Robotic Ocean Observing Facility. The Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory (AERL), which houses IOF, provides a modern, interdisciplinary research environment with shared laboratory space and a novel Immersion Laboratory for computer-assisted participatory research. The successful candidate will also have access to extensive computational resources, including the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the UBC Advanced Research Computing Sockeye platform. As a faculty member in the Faculty of Science and CERC holder, the successful candidate will be expected to lead a strong, externally-funded research program, supervise graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, collaborate with other faculty members, and actively participate in teaching and service at the Department, University, and academic/scientific community levels. Successful candidates will also be expected to advance UBC Faculty of Science objectives such as ‘working for the benefit of society’ and ‘participating in public debate, decision-making and policy, and education on critical scientific issues.’ For consideration, candidates must: • hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, as a UBC requirement. • be a recognized leader of an interdisciplinary research program, with at least 10 years of competitive research experience in ocean ecological modelling at the international level. • demonstrate excellence in research and teaching, with a focus on creativity, innovation, and collaboration. • show a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, focusing on creating a welcoming community for all and supporting historically marginalized groups. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for a CERC position. The successful candidate is expected to be eligible for a full-time appointment at UBC at the rank of Professor, or the rank of Associate Professor with a demonstrated trajectory toward promotion to Professor within one to two years of nomination. Nominees from outside the academic sector must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels. 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. CERC holders will strongly commit to equity, diversity, and inclusion and create a welcoming community where historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized people are treated equitably, feel respected, and belong. Preferred candidates will support UBC’s recognition that inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. As Canada’s highest research chair appointees, UBC CERCs will have a unique and profound impact on advancing our commitments to these values. UBC’s campuses are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples and of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) Nations. How to apply: Applications must be submitted through (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30204) and include the following: 1. Cover letter (1 page) describing the applicant’s motivations for seeking this position, expected contributions as a CERC, and synergy with existing UBC ocean research programs. 2. Curriculum vitae including a list of publications. 3. Research statement (2 pages), describing the originality, significance, and impact of the applicant’s past contributions, and the feasibility, appropriateness, strengths, and risks/rewards of the applicant’s proposed future research. 4. Teaching statement (1 page) describing evidence of the applicant’s experience with and interest in contemporary pedagogical methods, and their approach to organizing a course, selecting topics, fostering active learning and assessing student learning outcomes. 5. Diversity statement (1 page) describing the applicant’s lived background experience (if comfortable), past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion. 6. The names and contact information of three references. 7. Applicants will be asked to complete a voluntary employment equity survey (https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUvl7PKtt6aSW6W) as part of the application process. The closing date for applications will be September 12, 2025 at 5.00 pm PST. Review of applications will begin immediately after. Questions and other inquiries should be directed to the Search Committee at jobs@eoas.ubc.ca The successful applicant will be required to prepare a CERC Registration package by January 12, 2026, and a complete application package by UBC’s internal deadline of March 1, 2026. Candidates will be supported in the preparation of these materials. The earliest anticipated start date for this position is April 1, 2027. A later start date may be arranged, but must be no later than July 1, 2027, subject to mutual agreement and contingent on the official CERC award date. The salary for this position is within the range of $220,000-$300,000 per annum, commensurate with rank and experience. Competitive start-up packages, relocation, housing assistance and infrastructure development funds will be provided. If appointed at the rank of associate professor, the successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of successful teaching and ability to direct graduate students, evidence of sustained and productive scholarly activity with a national reputation well beyond their institution, and a growing international recognition as an associate professor of a senior stature. If appointed at the rank of professor, the successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record in creating and sustaining an independent research program with international recognition, as well as exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of ability to excel in teaching and will be expected to provide service to the University and the broader academic professional community. The successful candidate must be willing to participate in the affairs of the Department, Institute and University, and will have demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate and interact with empathy, understanding and respect for diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviours. The successful candidate must be able to establish and maintain high-quality, productive relationships across cultural differences and work in a collaborative and inclusive manner, fostering equitable experiences and a respectful environment for all staff, faculty, and students. 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, Inuk, or Indigenous person. We also encourage applicants to complete the equity survey in alignment with the institution's commitment to creating an equitable and diverse environment that fosters academic excellence. Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a), 26(c), and 26(e) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Equity & Inclusion Office will collect data and store all responses in a secure database. The information collected will be for program-level reporting. UBC acknowledges that certain circumstances (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID-19 impacts) may cause career interruptions that legitimately affect an applicant’s record of research or educational leadership achievement and that these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any circumstances, such as those due to health or family reasons, in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process, we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all candidates (including but not limited to disabled people). Confidential accommodations are available upon request. Contact Hazel Evangelista at email: hevangelista@eoas.ubc.ca. If you have any needs or questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the job application, recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Centre for Workplace Accessibility website at https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility or contact the Centre at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca. CERC nominees are not restricted by their nationality or their country of residence. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Non-Canadian chairholders may work in Canada under the procedures of Employment and Social Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. In some cases, a work permit may be expedited.Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
-
Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Teaching statement
- Diversity Statement
- Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: