Assistant/Associate Professor, Environmental Remote Sensing & Geospatial Technologies

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Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Environment
Tenure-Track
Posting #FAGEES02-24 BW

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences in the area of Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.

The anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2025, though a later start date is negotiable. For more information on the Geography Program and the Department of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, please visit http://www.unbc.ca/geography and https://www.unbc.ca/department-geography-earth-and-environmental-sciences respectively. There are also strong links with the other departments in the Faculty of Environment.

Consistently ranked as one of the top three “best small universities” in Canada, the University of Northern British Columbia is a research-intensive university with an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. UNBC offers a modern and attractive campus, and a wonderful setting in the heart of British Columbia.

We seek an outstanding individual who brings or will develop an externally funded long-term research program that will enhance the capacity of geomatics, remote sensing, and cartographic research and teaching at UNBC. Specifically, we seek a candidate who regularly employs remote sensing and geospatial techniques in their research program. We are especially interested in candidates who participate in interdisciplinary research given the integrated teaching and research structure at UNBC. The successful candidate can expect to deliver courses in remote sensing, GIS, and cartography.

Applicants for this position should hold a PhD in Geography, Earth or Environmental Sciences or a closely related field with a strong background in geomatics research (e.g. GIS, cartography/geovisualization, machine and deep learning, spaceborne / airborne earth observation and uncrewed aerial vehicles- drones). Successful candidates will have a strong publication record appropriate for their career stage, and demonstrated success or excellent potential to secure external research grants. Candidates should also present evidence of outstanding teaching at both the undergraduate and, ideally, graduate level, or demonstrate the potential for excellence.

Rapid environmental change requires geomatics specialists who also understand environmental processes. This position supports the degree programs in the Department of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, and the interdisciplinary approaches used in the undergraduate and graduate programs. The successful applicant will build on existing geomatic resources and add important new capabilities in spatial technologies which would support a broad range of other academic units within the University, as well as support local technology companies by providing trained students as interns, co-op placements, and ultimately graduate students from UNBC.

UNBC is equipped with significant research facilities and infrastructure for the physical and social sciences. UNBC has existing collaborative links with local geospatial companies, houses a high-performance computing infrastructure, and has access to an airborne LiDAR system.
UNBC provides broad support for faculty to develop their research and teaching capabilities, a strong mandate for growth, a modern and comprehensive campus, and a distinctive quality of life in north-central British Columbia. The University has a mandate to serve the northern two-thirds of the province and enjoys strong community connections.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity
The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “he/she/they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through the respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.

Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. 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.

About the University and its Community
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.

UNBC’s three regional campuses are located in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. The South-Central campus in Quesnel is situated on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff Band), Nazko, Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus Band), and Esdilagh First Nations (formerly Alexandria Band). Lhtako, Nazko, and Lhoosk’uz are Dakelh First Nations, and Esdilagh is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Peace River-Liard campus in Fort St. John is situated on the traditional territory of the Doig River, Blueberry River and Halfway River First Nations. They are the Dunne-Za people. The Northwest campus in Terrace is situated on traditional Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) territory of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. It includes a satellite campus in the coastal community of Prince Rupert.

UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~74,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.

Salary

The salary for this position will be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience as per the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The annual salary range for this position is expected to be from $85,473 to $151,930. Please refer to the link below to the Collective Agreement for more compensation information:

https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/facultyassociationcollectiveagreementjuly12023-june302025-revised.pdf

To Apply

Applicants should forward the following documents to FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca or mail to Office of the Provost quoting the posting number (#FAGEES02-24 BW):

o cover letter indicating potential contributions to the Program;
o curriculum vitae;
o a brief statement of teaching approaches and research program;
o the names and addresses of three references (including telephone and email information); and
o the Statement of Eligibility to Work in Canada form, which can be found here: https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/statementofemploymenteligibilityjan0520221.pdf.

Voluntary Form:
o the Self-Identification from, which can be found here: https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idreviseddec2022-fillable.pdf

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at employeewellbeing@unbc.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Mail Submissions: Office of the Provost, University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way, Prince George, B.C., V2N 4Z9

Email Submissions: FacultyRecruitment@unbc.ca

Inquiries: Dr. Catherine Nolin – Acting Chair, Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Catherine.Nolin@unbc.ca
250-960-5875

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC. However, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Applications received on or before January 15, 2025, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (hiringnearme.org) you saw this job posting.