Assistant Professor - Contractually Limited Term Appointment (2-year term) – Biogeosciences

The Department of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a 2-year Contractually Limited Term Appointment (CLTA) in the area of biogeosciences. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2024.

Applicants must have earned a PhD in earth or environmental sciences, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths . The successful candidate would be expected to pursue innovative and independent research in biogeosciences, combining field-based, lab-based and/or modelling approaches to topics such as biogeochemical cycling, interactions between Earth systems (including biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere), or hydrobiogeochemical processes in the critical zone (surface water, groundwater, soils and vegetation). The successful candidate will be expected to teach a field course in hydrogeochemistry (which takes place annually in August in Renfrew County, Ontario), and additional courses in topic areas related to the successful candidate’s area of research expertise, such as biogeochemical cycles, Earth system interactions, hydrosphere/groundwater or critical zone processes. The teaching load will be assigned following the Department’s workload policy.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence, which can be demonstrated by a record of publications in top-ranked and field relevant journals, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, a track record of obtaining independent research funding, awards and accolades and strong endorsements from referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated by teaching accomplishments, and the teaching dossier, including a teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations or other evidence of superior performance in teaching-related activities submitted as part of the application, as well as strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute substantively to undergraduate teaching and graduate supervision in the Department.

Candidates are also expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment demonstrated through the application materials. Demonstration of how the candidate would bring new perspectives to the Department, experiences and meaningful plans for connecting to groups that have been historically marginalized in the geosciences are criteria that will be considered in our evaluation of excellence.   

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Toronto provides exceptional opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, and actively encourages cutting-edge scholarship. Furthermore, it offers the excitement of working with a diverse, high-achieving student population. The Department of Earth Sciences maintains a suite of analytical and field equipment to support research and teaching in environmental geosciences, and offers a vibrant, top-ranked Earth Sciences graduate program spanning the three campuses of the University of Toronto (including the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at University of Toronto Scarborough and the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences at University of Toronto Mississauga ). The successful candidate would also have ample opportunity to engage with cognate units such as the School of the Environment , the Archaeology Centre , the Centre for Global Change Science , the Climate Positive Energy Initiative , or the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering . Opportunities are also available to work with a wide range of public and private organizations, groups, and institutions that reflect the region’s diversity. Seen as one of the most multicultural places in the world, Toronto is a thriving cultural and intellectual hub offering an outstanding quality of life.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Application materials must include the following:

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• Current curriculum vitae
• A statement outlining contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion, see below for details
• A research statement outlining current and future research interests (maximum 2 pages)
• Electonic copies of three most significant research works (published papers or posters presented at conferences)
• A teaching dossier to include:
  • a teaching statement of interests and philosophy (maximum 2 pages
  • sample of course materials
  • teaching evaluations, or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above

We seek candidates who value diversity and whose research, teaching and service bear out our commitment to equity. Candidates are therefore also asked to submit a 1‐2 page statement of contributions to equity and diversity, which might cover topics such as (but not limited to): research or teaching that incorporates a focus on underrepresented communities, the development of inclusive pedagogies, or the mentoring of students from underrepresented groups.

 Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee the day after an application is submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. More details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ .

Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply . Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one PDF file.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact Ampy Tolentino, Assistant to the Chair of Earth Sciences, at [email protected] .

All application materials, including reference letters, must be received by March 4, 2024.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

 Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP .