Assistant Professor in Sustainable Timber-Built Environment

                                                             University of British Columbia
Faculty of Forestry
Department of Wood Science

Professorship in Sustainable Timber-Built Environment – Fire Safety

Applications are invited for a faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in Sustainable Timber-Built Environment – Fire Safety in the Department of Wood Science of the Faculty of Forestry at The University of British Columbia. This is the second of the three positions allocated to the Department of Wood Science in the area of Sustainable Timber-Built Environment.

A PhD degree in Structural Mechanics, Structural Engineering, Wood Science, Applied Science, Fire Engineering or related field, and evidence of excellence in teaching, research and extension are required.

Preference will be given to visionary candidates who show promise or accomplishments in one or more of the following areas:
• Modeling and Testing of the Performance of Timber Structures and Components in Fire;
• Fire Resistance Design Principles;
• Modeling of Fire Spread Potential;
• Fire Risk Analysis and;
• Novel Fire Suppression and Mitigation Technologies.

The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with the UBC’s Chair of Wood Building Design and Construction, the rest of the STBE cluster professors and the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) through its extension and applied research programs to create effective linkages with the building design community and Canadian wood products manufacturers. It is envisioned that the person will further link up with other academic units within UBC to create a Research Cluster related to Resilient Timber Building Design and Technologies. Furthermore, the successful candidate will participate in the creation of a Course-Based Master’s (CBM) degree in the Faculty of Forestry and in the area of timber building engineering and design. The objective of this CBM will be to provide the training to engineers and scientists interested in timber buildings. Teaching related undergraduate/graduate courses, supervising MSc, MASc and PhD students, and securing research funding from external sources such as NSERC and other governmental and industrial organizations are essential components of this appointment.

The Department of Wood Science currently includes 23 faculty members working across a range of disciplines. The Department runs the BSc (Wood Products Processing) program – the largest such program in North America – which fosters direct contacts with industry stakeholders through a vibrant co-op program. CAWP through its extension and applied research programs offers extensive links with Canadian wood products manufacturers and opportunities to work with existing and emerging companies and organizations. A new BSc program in Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology (BEST) was launched in September 2020. The Faculty of Forestry, one of the largest such faculties in the world, includes over 80 faculty members and provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with world-class researchers. The Faculty of Forestry offers a range of traditional research degrees and a growing suite of course-based masters programs which attracts students from around the world. For more information on the Department, CAWP and the Faculty of Forestry see www.wood.ubc.ca www.cawp.ubc.ca and www.forestry.ubc.ca

This is a position at the Assistant Professor level (tenure-track), based on teaching and research experience. The anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2022, but may be negotiated. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. All UBC positions are subject to final budgetary approval.

Equity and diversity 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 BC 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 will be given priority.

Your application package should include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests relevant to the position, up to five recent publications that highlight your contribution to the field, and three letters of reference (colleagues and/or previous supervisors who are familiar with your academic endeavours).

Please also indicate in your application if you are a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada.

Please email your application package in a single PDF file to [email protected]

The deadline for receiving applications including reference letters is October 15, 2021.

Questions should be directed to:
Prof. Frank Lam, Chair of Search Committee ([email protected] )