Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

University of Lethbridge; Lethbridge; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Lethbridge seeks a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. This role focuses on enhancing research in sustainable practices and teaching within the Faculty of Arts and Science. The successful candidate will develop a research program that attracts funding and students, while promoting equity and inclusion in their work.

Qualifications

• Exceptional emerging researcher within 10 years of receiving Ph.D.
• Ability to build internationally recognized research program.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen research capacity in sustainable agriculture and climate change.
• Teach existing and develop new courses related to sustainable agriculture.

Skills

Research

Teaching

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Education

Ph.D.

Job description

Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

Job Title Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change

About the University

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We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university. In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada’s top small cities.

Rank

Rank Associate Professor

About the Position

The Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge invites applications for the position of Tier 2 Canada Research Chair ( CRC ) in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. This is a cross-departmental appointment in the departments of Geography & Environment and Biological Sciences. We are seeking an exceptional scholar who can strengthen our research capacity in sustainable agriculture and climate change. Potential areas of studies should complement existing research strengths at the University of Lethbridge.

Building on a foundation of excellence in liberal education, the University of Lethbridge has evolved into one of Canada’s leading comprehensive academic and research universities. The University of Lethbridge is home to many world-class researchers and research centres and institutes , fostering excellence in research by facilitating collaboration within and across disciplines.

The research program for the CRC position would be focused on improving sustainability of agricultural ecosystems in the context of climate change.

Research topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reducing greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4,N2O) emissions from agricultural sources.
• Water use optimization, improve crop water-use efficiency, and minimize drought effects on crop productivity.
• Crop physiological adaptation and acclimation to temperatures and techniques to enhance their performance in changing environments.
• Impacts of agricultural practices on local biodiversity.
• Explore how to increase soil productivity to limit nutrient loss and soil erosion, fertilizer run-off and associated effects on water quality.
• Model effects of climate on agricultural systems.
• Climate change challenges and opportunities for sustainable agriculture in Canada.

Currently our departments have expertise in:

• Climate modelling analyses development and application.
• Chamber and eddy flux techniques for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and evapotranspiration in crop fields.
• Advanced plant physiology and plant molecular biology techniques for screening and altering plant performance to improve productivity in changing environments.
• Natural abundance stable isotope techniques for evaluating plant physiological function and tracing movement and cycling of elements in agricultural ecosystems.
• Geospatial science methods (remote sensing).
• Ecosystem change in response to our changing climate.

The successful applicant is expected to teach existing junior core and senior specialized courses and to develop new classes that could possibly include:

• Sustainable agriculture
• Global change biology

The successful candidate will have an established research portfolio and will demonstrate an ability to build an internationally recognized research program that will attract outstanding graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The successful candidate will obtain competitively awarded external research funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ( NSERC ) and other granting agencies to support a vibrant, innovative, and collaborative research program and to train the next generation of scientists and innovators.

The Canada Research Chair ( CRC ) program was established by the Canadian Federal Government with the purpose of attracting outstanding researchers to the Canadian university system. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e. the candidate must be an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination).

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent), be within 10 years of receiving their highest degree, and be an exceptional emerging researcher, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.

The University recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family, and community will have an impact on a candidate’s record of research achievement, and these impacts will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Note that Tier 2 Chair nominees may be more than 10 years from their highest degree if they have experienced legitimate career interruptions. More information on the CRC program, including eligibility criteria, can be found at http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca .

Accessibility, Belonging and Community for all are key strategic priorities for the University of Lethbridge. The university recognizes that diversity enriches our campus and our community and is fundamental to excellence in teaching, learning, and research. The university strives to provide access and opportunities to historically excluded groups identified under the Employment Equity Act and to meet its equity and diversity targets as a key consideration when allocating a Chair position, selecting which field to support with a Chair, and deciding whether to limit the pool to internal candidates. In accordance with the University of Lethbridge Canada Research Chair Program – Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan , we strongly encourage applications from skilled and experienced members of the four designated groups, such as Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, women and gender minorities, as defined in the CRC Program method for establishing equity targets and the Employment Equity Act . The purpose of this measure is to increase and ensure equitable representation and contributions of these members in the allocation of Canada Research Chairs positions. In recognition of the underrepresentation of scholars with a disability and racialized scholars in our chairholders, and in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act , only applicants who self-identify as a person with a disability and/or as a racialized individual will be considered for this CRC opportunity.

The Accessible Canada Act defines disability as any impairment, including physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation- whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society. As a requirement of this position, candidates are asked to complete the confidential self-identification form during the final application process. Please see the CRC website for additional information about self-identification .

Application Process

Applications for this position must include:

• a letter of application;
• three of the applicant’s most influential publications (or other research contributions);
• a comprehensive Canada Research Chair vision statement and research plan of no longer than 5 pages, including a description on how they intend to develop externally funded research projects;
• a statement no longer than 3 pages emphasizing their research mentorship experience, teaching philosophy, and their experiences in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization within their practices.

Short-listed candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three academic referees.

The position will remain open until filled, with initial review of applications beginning on March 31, 2025. Please note that the offer of this tenure-track position is conditional on a successful Tier 2 Canada Research Chair application. The anticipated starting date for the position is July 1, 2026.

About University of Lethbridge

Founded in 1967, on traditional Blackfoot land, the University of Lethbridge is home to 8,900 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world. With campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, we are one of Canada’s top ranked universities and leading research institutions. Our Blackfoot name, gifted to us by Elder Bruce Wolf Child, is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone.

Located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory, the University of Lethbridge serves the people of southern Alberta through programs, research and creative activity that contribute to economic and social prosperity locally and globally. Founded on the principles of liberal education, the University of Lethbridge is broad in scope while promoting excellence in undergraduate and graduate education that prepares students to understand and address an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Employment equity statement

The University of Lethbridge is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and representative workforce that is reflective of the community we serve. The University welcomes all applications from qualified candidates including all employment equity groups of Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals and persons of diverse gender and sexual orientation protected under the Alberta Human rights code. In accordance with the Canadian Immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given preference.

Position Category

Faculty

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Science

Campus

Campus Lethbridge

Open Date

Open Date 02/05/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 07/01/2026

Position End Date (if temporary)

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment Equity

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

The University of Lethbridge invites applications from all qualified candidates; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given preference.

The University of Lethbridge is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, including through all aspects of the hiring process. If you require support during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] so that accommodations can be put in place to support you. All private information received in relation to your request for support will be kept confidential, only information required to facilitate the accommodation will be shared with the selection committee.

Required Documents

Required Documents

Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application

Three research contributions or most influential publications

CRC Research Plan

Mentorship and EDI statement

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• I authorize the University of Lethbridge to disclose the personal information submitted as my application package to the search committee and members of the department for the purpose of administering the selection process for this position. This consent is valid for the period of one year from the application date the information is submitted.
  • I agree
  • I don't Agree