Assistant Professor

University of British Columbia; Electoral Area A; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, Vancouver campus. The appointee will research and teach in the social dimensions of wildfire, addressing its societal impacts and mitigation strategies.

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate programs, collaborate across disciplines, and engage with Indigenous

Qualifications

• PhD or PhD with applied research demonstrating understanding of social dimensions of wildfire.
• Expertise in assessing social impacts of wildfire and familiarity with social science methods.
• Experience with or ability to work with Indigenous Peoples, communities, practitioners and decision-makers.
• Knowledge of wildfire risks and mitigation strategies in diverse contexts.
• Potential for scientific publishing, knowledge extension, and securing grants.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and teach in the social dimensions of wildfire.
• Contribute to undergraduate and graduate programs within the department.
• Engage with Indigenous communities, practitioners, and policy-makers to translate research findings.

Skills

Social dimensions of wildfire

Social science methods

Indigenous engagement

Graduate mentoring

Research grants & publishing

Education

PhD in social dimensions of wildfire

Job description

Academic Job Category Faculty Bargaining Job Title Assistant Professor Department Department Head | Department of Forest Resources Management (Nicholas Charles Coops) Posting End Date November 12, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Ongoing The expected salary range for this position is $130,000 to 150,000 CAD.

Assistant Professor of the Social Dimensions of Wildfire The Department of Forest Resources Management in the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the UBC Vancouver campus. The successful applicant is expected to conduct research and teach in fields related to the social dimensions of wildfire. The costs and impacts of wildfire are growing in Canada and are disproportionately affecting rural and Indigenous communities. Further research is needed to better understand these impacts and to identify effective ways of coexisting with fire, including mitigating the risks that wildfire poses to communities and to other forest values and ecosystem services. The UBC Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. As part of ongoing and University-wide efforts, the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship is committed to taking action towards meaningful reconciliation. The UBC Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship is one of the world’s leading academic institutions in forestry, conducting both national and international research, and providing undergraduate education encompassing Forest Resources Management, Forest Operations, Urban Forestry, Forest Science, Natural Resources Conservation, Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology, and Wood Products Processing. The successful applicant will be an essential part of the Faculty, contributing to the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates for this position must have a PhD relevant to the social dimensions of wildfire, or a PhD combined with applied research demonstrating an understanding of the social dimensions relevant to their field of study. The focus of their scholarship should be on the challenges of increasing wildfire and wildfire risk in Canada, opportunities for mitigating those risks, and/or their consequences for society.
• Expertise with assessing the multi-faceted impacts of wildfire on society and people, including familiarity with social science methods.
• Experience with or a demonstrated ability to work with Indigenous Peoples, communities, practitioners, decision-makers, NGO’s and other organizations.
• Experience with or familiarity with wildfire and with strategies to mitigate its risks in different contexts, whether at the community level, in the broader forested landscape, or from a social and institutional perspective.
• Demonstrated or strong potential for scientific publishing, knowledge extension and securing research grants.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with social science research methods.
• Research on wildfire and its social dimensions.
• Experience working with Indigenous and forest-dependent communities and/or other partners (e.g. industry, NGOs, government).
• Strong interest or experience in conducting collaborative work, through existing or proposed research, teaching, leadership, service, community engagement, and outreach or other relevant activities.
• Past experience or the potential to conduct research focused in British Columbia and/or Canada.
• Evidence or interest in innovative approaches to knowledge mobilization, such as integrated knowledge mobilization, co-creative outputs, and/or contributions to policy.
• Evidence of, or strong potential for, effective and inclusive teaching and student mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• A demonstrated record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a university setting through research, teaching, and service.

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is $130,000 to 150,000 CAD. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. For details, see https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits\

Contact and Availability

Questions about the position may be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Harry Nelson ([e-mail])

Language Requirements

The University of British Columbia's primary language of instruction and research is English. Accordingly, individuals are required to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Inclusive Environment and Accessibility

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. Within this hiring process, we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates). Accessibility requests or other accommodations are available on request for all applicants. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact the Faculty of Forestry Associate Dean Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Janette Bulkan ([e-mail])

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 will be given priority.

UBC - One of the World's Leading Universities 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. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. 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, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].