Endowed Chair (Assistant/Associate Professor) in Indigenous Forestry

University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Alberta is seeking a tenure-track Endowed Chair at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in Indigenous Forestry. This role is designed to decolonize the forestry curriculum and advance Indigenous perspectives in forest management, aligning with the University's Indigenous Strategic Plan. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in forest ecology and management, or a related natural sciences/land management field, combined with a deep understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and a proven ability to collaborate with Indigenous communities. The position emphasizes integrating Indigenous knowledges with Western scientific practices, fostering partnerships, and developing innovative solutions in forestry education and research. The Chair will create experiential learning opportunities, promote Indigenous-taught courses, and collaborate with Indigenous communities, academic colleagues, and the forestry sector to address current forestry challenges. The successful candidate will be a key member of the forestry faculty and the Alberta School of Forest Science and Management. The hiring process will involve input from Indigenous community representatives to ensure diverse needs and knowledge systems are considered. The endowment provides start-up funds, research support, and funding for graduate students. A community engagement and research coordinator will be hired for the first five years to support the Chair's activities. Shortlisted candidates will be required to present a research seminar, a teaching seminar, and a community-centered presentation.

Requirements

• Training in forest ecology and management, or a related field in natural sciences and land management.
• Deep understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with Indigenous communities.
• Ability to self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.
• Provide documentation or community affirmation of Indigenous citizenship, membership, or affiliation upon request.

Responsibilities

• Decolonize the forestry curriculum.
• Advance Indigenous perspectives in forest management.
• Integrate Indigenous knowledges and Western scientific practices.
• Foster reciprocal partnerships with Indigenous communities.
• Advance innovative solutions in forestry education and research.
• Develop experiential learning opportunities.
• Promote Indigenous-taught courses.
• Work closely with Indigenous communities, academic colleagues, and the forestry sector and industry to address contemporary forestry challenges.
• Deliver a research seminar.
• Deliver a teaching seminar.
• Deliver a community-centred presentation designed to promote open dialogue, reciprocal knowledge exchange, and accountability to Indigenous community partners.

Benefits

• Start-up funds
• Financial support for research
• Funding to hire graduate students
• A community engagement and research coordinator will be hired to support the Chair’s research and outreach activities for the first five years.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed