Baillie Family Chair in Conservation Biology and Associate Director of QUBS

Society for Conservation Biology; Kingston; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in Ontario is seeking candidates for the Baillie Family Chair in Conservation Biology. This tenure-track position focuses on avian conservation and leads the associate director role at the Queen’s University Biology Station (QUBS). Candidates must have a PhD and significant experience in research and teaching, with responsibilities including leadership in ecology and fundraising efforts. The role offers a supportive environment emphasizing diversity and collaboration.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition assistance

Pension and leave benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in academic, government, or NGO settings.
• Track record of scholarly publication in conservation biology.
• Experience in leading teams and collaborative grant writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead research in avian conservation at QUBS.
• Work with Indigenous initiatives and community engagement.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts for QUBS and related activities.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Academic and teaching excellence

Research in conservation biology

Fundraising

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Overview

The Department of Biology at Queen’s University invites applications for the linked positions of the Baillie Family Chair in Conservation Biology (with a focus on avian conservation, evolution, and ecology) and the Associate Director of the Queen’s University Biology Station (QUBS), with the opportunity of assuming the Directorship of QUBS after 4 years. This appointment will be at the rank of tenure-track Assistant Professor or a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, with a preferred start date of July 1, 2026. The Baillie Chair includes access to a small research fund and a lab and office space on the Queen’s campus, with access to facilities at QUBS including a new building with molecular, GIS, and aquatics labs, a large aviary, and a long-running box-nesting tree swallow population, and a mandate to contribute to fundraising for QUBS operations, scholarships, stewardship and land acquisition, and outreach.

Queen’s University is situated on the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek and is committed to reconciliation and Indigenous initiatives at QUBS, including collaboration with the Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

About QUBS and the Department

Queen’s University has >25 faculty in the Department of Biology, fostering collaborative research across cell and molecular biology, aquatic sciences and fisheries, ecology, evolution and behavior, and conservation biology. QUBS is a premier field station (~3,400 ha) supporting teaching and research in ecology, evolution, conservation, and related sciences, and active stewardship of lands and biodiversity. QUBS lies within the Frontenac Forests Important Bird and Biodiversity Area and the Frontenac Arch World Biosphere Reserve, supporting numerous bird species at risk.

Baillie Family Chair in Conservation Biology

The Baillie Family Chair was established with support from the Baillie family to enhance research in conservation and biodiversity and enrich teaching at Queen’s. The successful candidate will have access to the Baillie Chair research fund, lead research related to avian conservation biology, and hold lab and office space in the Biology Department on campus with access to QUBS facilities, including a new building with molecular, GIS, and aquatics labs; a large aviary; and a long-running box-nesting tree swallow study. The candidate should articulate the role of field stations in research and teaching and contribute to fundraising for QUBS operations and related priorities.

Associate Director / Directorship of QUBS

The appointment includes responsibilities as Associate Director of QUBS, with potential Directorship after 4 years. Experience in administration (program development, human resources, fundraising, networking, outreach, and collaborative grant writing) is important. The successful candidate will work with Indigenous initiatives at QUBS and in the broader Queen’s community.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD and experience in academic, government, or NGO settings with strong leadership, administrative, and interpersonal skills. Criteria include academic and teaching excellence in conservation and avian biology, a record of scholarly achievement in high-quality journals, ability to secure external funding, outstanding undergraduate and graduate teaching, and ability to work collaboratively in a transdisciplinary, student-centered environment. As incoming Associate Director of QUBS, experience in administration is important. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Institutional Context

Queen’s University is a diverse, research-intensive institution with a history of scholarship and innovation. The university values equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices and hosts many research institutes and Canada Research Chairs. The environment emphasizes international learning, community engagement, and a commitment to sustainable development goals.

Benefits and Other Information

Faculty and dependents are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including prescription drug, vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, pension, tuition assistance, and parental leave top-up. Details are described in the Queen’s-QUFA Collective Agreement.

Vaccination and City Context

Vaccination requirements have been suspended since May 1, 2022, but may be reinstated. Queen’s is located in Kingston, Ontario, on traditional Indigenous territories, with access to a range of cultural, recreational, and natural areas nearby.

How to Apply

Queen’s invites applications from all qualified individuals and strongly supports employment equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applicants who identify as Black, racialized, Indigenous, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, with consideration for those with valid work status in Canada. Applications should include:

• Cover letter, indicating whether you have valid legal work status in Canada
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement on the role of field stations like QUBS for scholarship and education (max 1 page)
• Statement of major contributions and future research directions with emphasis on QUBS (max 2 pages)
• Teaching interests and experience in conservation and at QUBS (max 2 pages)
• Diversity statement (max 2 pages)
• Contact information for three references

Deadline: September 5, 2025. Interviews begin October 2025. Applications should be submitted electronically as PDFs to Lindsey Morey at [e-mail]. Hard copies may be sent to: Dr. Brian Cumming, Professor and Head, Department of Biology, BioSciences Complex, 116 Barrie St., Kingston, ON K7L 3J9.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

The University provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation, contact Dr. Brian Cumming at [e-mail].

Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by the QUFA collective agreement, which is posted online.