Assistant Professor in Earth Observation Science

University of British Columbia

Kelowna, BC, Canada 🇨🇦

Job Category: Faculty Bargaining

Job Title: Assistant Professor – Earth Observation Science

Department

UBCO | Faculty | Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science (Edward Hornibrook)

Posting End Date: February 21, 2023

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

Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences

Assistant Professor in Earth Observation Science

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

The Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus is recruiting an outstanding scholar for a tenure-track Assistant Professor appointment in the area of Earth Observation Science. The position is expected to start on July 1, 2023, or soon thereafter.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Earth Science, Physical Geography, Geomatics or a closely related discipline by the start of the appointment. The successful candidate will have expertise in satellite and related remote sensing technologies, and data analytics applied to research areas relevant to Earth science, environmental science, or physical geography. Applicants must have a strong record of scholarly contributions, a demonstrated commitment to research excellence, and evidence of ability to establish an externally-funded research program. They must also show evidence of, or capacity for, excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and supervision, and dedication to student mentoring.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead development of a new Earth Observation stream in an existing professional Master of Data Science (MDS) degree program. The individual will teach within the MDS program and may also contribute to undergraduate teaching in a Minor in Geospatial Information Science degree program. Evidence of a commitment to teaching excellence will be demonstrated through a dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, and preferably, course evaluations and examples of course materials that support the teaching statement. The individual will be expected to contribute to development of new curriculum, to supervise undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, and to fulfill service obligations to the University and broader scientific community.

The candidate will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and a commitment to creating a welcoming community where those who are historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized are treated equitably, feel respected, and belong.  UBC recognizes that inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world.

The ideal candidate will also have a strong commitment to Indigenous engagement. As part of the University’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, UBC Okanagan has committed to supporting and implementing five key commitments, which can be found at https://ok.ubc.ca/about/indigenous-engagement/

UBC is consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and is a renowned global centre for teaching, learning and research.  Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world. Today, our students, faculty and staff come from around the world and our international research partnerships and publications enable us to collaborate on a global scale. UBC is proud to nurture and transform the lives of more than 65,000 students from Canada and 140+ countries around the world. 

With 10,000 undergraduates and over 1,000 graduate students, UBC’s Okanagan campus has grown to be a diverse and vibrant part of the Okanagan community.  Kelowna is connected by direct flights to major Canadian and USA cities and the region is considered one of the most desirable regions to live in Canada. For more information about the Okanagan Campus, see https://ok.ubc.ca.

The IK Barber Faculty of Science has a vibrant interdisciplinary and collaborative culture of teaching and research. The Faculty has Departments spanning the disciplines of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. For more information about the IK Barber Faculty of Science, see https://science.ok.ubc.ca.  The Faculty has a deep commitment to providing a supportive work environment that embraces equity, diversity and inclusion.  For more information, please see Our Community.

The Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences at the UBC Okanagan campus is an interdisciplinary department consisting of 14 faculty members comprising four research clusters in Geochronology and Tectonics, Geospatial Information Science, Water-Landscape Interactions, and Sustainability Science as well as active engagement in the scholarship of teaching.  The Department offers B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences (EESC), a B.Sc. in Freshwater Sciences (FWSC), and a B.Sc. Minor in Geospatial Information Science (GISC). It also contributes to a B.A. degree in Geography, a new Bachelor of Sustainability (B.SUST) degree program, and has recently launched a non-degree micro-credential program. Graduate students also may enrol in the UBC Okanagan Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) degree program.

Interested candidates should upload a complete application in one continuous PDF file and it must include:

  • a cover letter clearly indicating position to which the candidate is applying
  • a detailed curriculum vitae
  • statement of research interests
  • a statement of teaching philosophy
  • evidence of teaching effectiveness
  • an inclusion (EDI) statement (i.e., experience working within a diverse environment and contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion on campus)
  • the names of three referees who we may contact for reference letters (applicants will be notified before referees are contacted)

As part of the application process, applicants will be expected to complete a voluntary employment equity survey.

UBC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, non-discriminatory and accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. UBC is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants.  If you require accommodations or have questions about UBC benefits, services or accommodations policies, please contact Jacky Ivans, Relocation and Benefits Associate at jacky.ivans@ubc.ca .

UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leaves, illness or disability, care for family, COVID-19 impacts) can have on research achievement and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how interruptions have impacted their career.

Equity, diversity and inclusion 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 of Canada will be given priority.

The deadline for applications is February 20, 2023. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.

Please direct any inquiries regarding this position to the Head of Department: Dr. Edward Hornibrook (ed.hornibrook@ubc.ca).

The UBC Okanagan campus sits on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.


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