Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Vancouver seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on a project transforming chemical risk management through Indigenous expertise. The role involves collaboration with Indigenous organizations and researchers, knowledge synthesis, and the opportunity for independent inquiry. Applicants must hold a relevant PhD and have experience in environmental governance and working with Indigenous communities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, Law, Geography, or related fields completed within the last five years.
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental/chemical governance processes.
• Experience engaging with Indigenous organizations, governments, communities.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with partner Indigenous organizations.
• Lead engagement and knowledge synthesis activities.
• Map connections among key individuals and organizations involved in chemicals policy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Experience with Indigenous organizations

Understanding of environmental governance

Commitment to equity and diversity

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Academic Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining Job Title Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise Department Faculty | Academic leadership | Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability | Faculty of Science (Navin Ramankutty) Posting End Date November 11, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date December 31, 2026

The expected pay for this position is $5833.33/month.

The position is full-time for one year with the possibility of extension subject to work performance, funding availability and compliance with UBC policies.

Job Summary

“Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise” (CMITEx) project—a new, ambitious, collaborative research initiative that seeks to re-envision chemical risk management with implications for pollution and climate change. The project brings Indigenous research methods to the challenge of profoundly transforming chemical risk management for Indigenous community-based practice, university labs and classes, regulatory practices, and policy development. This large, interinstitutional research project brings together 20 researchers and collaborators from institutions in Canada and Aotearoa (New Zealand), putting Indigenous experts as leaders in designing how chemical risk is evaluated and managed. It is a six-year-long collaborative effort supported by $22 million through the federal New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). Our project puts Indigenous knowledges at the front‑of‑front of how chemical risk is managed in communities, research design, and policy in this urgent time of environmental change. More information on the larger project can be found here.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Giang, with supervisory support from Dr. Susan Chiblow, and Dr. Élyse Caron‑Beaudoin, on a subproject linking Indigenous experiences on chemicals policy development across scales. This subproject, with guidance from Inuit Organizations, investigates opportunities to expand Indigenous leadership in chemical policy development, building on Inuit expertise and experiences in Canada (e.g., Northern Contaminants Program), regionally (e.g., Arctic Council) and globally (e.g., Minamata Convention, Stockholm Convention, Global Plastics Treaty) scales.

As an initial focus, the successful candidate will coordinate knowledge synthesis activities with Inuit Organizations (such as the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Treaty Organizations, and co‑management boards), and contribute to multi‑level governance actor and chemicals policy mapping. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also engage with researchers across the Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise project, to facilitate structured co‑learning. There will also be opportunities for the successful candidate to develop their own topics of inquiry within CMITEx.

Organizational Status

The candidate reports directly to the subproject’s PI, Amanda Giang. Staff at participating Inuit Organizations may contribute to supervision during research engagement visits. Collaborating researchers (Profs. Susan Chiblow, Élyse Caron‑Beaudoin) at Canadian universities will also provide additional guidance.

The candidate will collaborate with other postdoctoral fellows involved in the larger project, and support students (graduate and undergraduate) working on the subproject.

This position is based in Vancouver, at UBC, with frequent travel within Canada for engagement activities.

Work Performed

• Build and maintain relationships with partner Indigenous organizations (such as the northern Indigenous partners Inuit Circumpolar Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Treaty Organizations, Dene Nation, and Council of Yukon First Nations)
• Lead engagement and knowledge synthesis activities with partner organizations and researchers on successes and opportunities for linking Indigenous expertise to policy development (e.g., through the Northern Contaminants Program)
• Map connections among key individuals and organizations involved in chemicals policy in the Arctic
• Co‑develop research protocols, licensing, and complete ethics approvals for research
• Communicate learnings from policy work in the Arctic to other regional‑specific contexts
• Support building of the research team, including hiring processes for community and academic researchers
• Facilitate structured co‑learning within the larger project, including between participating organizations and communities
• Design materials or plan events for dissemination of findings
• Identify relevant projects in existing programs, such as the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP)

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This role involves building relationships with individuals, both Indigenous and non‑Indigenous, in partner organizations. Failure to respectfully engage or follow appropriate research protocols may erode trust and jeopardize these relationships.

Supervision Received

The candidate reports directly to the subproject’s PI, Amanda Giang. Staff at participating Inuit Organizations may contribute to supervision during research engagement visits. Collaborating researchers (Profs. Susan Chiblow, Élyse Caron‑Beaudoin) at Canadian universities will also provide additional guidance.

Supervision Given

The candidate is not required to supervise; may explain work procedures to new or inexperienced staff and students, and/or oversee work of students.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD in an area relevant to the project (e.g. Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, Law, Geography, or other related fields) completed within the last five years.
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental/chemical governance processes.
• Experience engaging with Indigenous organizations, governments, communities.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, able to communicate with diplomacy and tact with diverse participants (e.g., from various disciplines in academia, government staff and members of Indigenous communities and organizations).
• Demonstrated commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel for engagement and research activities to partner organizations (e.g., in Ottawa, in Northern Canada).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a discipline of relevance to chemical risk evaluation, such as (eco)toxicology, chemistry, endocrinology.
• Familiarity with OCAP(c), Indigenous data sovereignty or Indigenous research methodologies.
• Experience in developing research protocols, research licensing, data‑sharing protocols, and research ethics applications.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge synthesis and co‑production with Indigenous communities or organizations.
• Knowledge of key contaminants of concern in the Arctic.
• Experience in policy research at a national or international level.

How to apply

Candidates should submit an application package via the UBC portal (here). The package should include:

• A cover letter application outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience.
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
• 2 research outputs (e.g., publications, podcasts, or other work).

If shortlisted, we will also ask you to submit contact information for 2 referees.

Please contact Dr. Amanda Giang ([e-mail]) and Research Manager Noah Depner ([e-mail]) if you have any questions.

We invite applications from qualified candidates who share our commitment to employment equity and inclusive excellence. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates (e.g., First Nation, Métis, Inuit). If Indigenous to regions outside of North America, please specify in your cover letter. We also welcome applications from candidates who belong to groups that historically, persistently, or systemically have been marginalized: racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and trans and non-binary people.