Assistant Professor in Animal Social Behaviour

York University

Posted: October 28, 2024

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

The Department of Biology, Faculty of Science at York University invites highly qualified applicants for an Assistant Professor position in Animal Social Behaviour. This is a tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2025.

We seek a highly collaborative colleague whose research focuses on the dynamics of interacting individuals whereby networked entities with limited information or intelligence collectively produce emergent behavior that transcends the behaviour of the individuals. Applications are welcome from researchers investigating any taxa using innovative empirical and/or theoretical approaches and technologies to address topics like social behaviour, collective decision making, and emergent intelligence. Applicants will be favored who can contribute to existing areas of strength in the York Department of Biology ttp://science.yorku.ca/biology. This might include work in invertebrate ecology (bees, corals, and crustaceans), with zebrafish, collaboration with the Centre for Vision Research or the Centre for Integrative & Applied Neuroscience, or making use of the York Vivarium to study interspecies interactions influencing animal social behaviour (e.g., fungal, microbial, plant interactions).

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/ program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds, an annual research grant, and a reduced teaching load. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship toward three main research goals: 1) to understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels, 2) predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective and 3) use these predictions to drive new research and technology development. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years (2023-2030).

Candidate Qualifications:
Degree: PhD in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related discipline is required, with a minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience at the time of the appointment is preferred.

Scholarship:
• A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in social behaviour, collective decision making, and emergent intelligence.
• A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research.
• A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., the research statement; publications (or forthcoming publications) in significant journals within the field; presentations at major conferences; and awards and accolades).

Teaching:
• A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (e.g., in one or more of: the teaching statement, teaching accomplishments and/or pedagogical innovations).
• Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision.

Additional: The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone, especially those who have been historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized. In the event that the candidate’s record of achievement has perceived gaps, the committee and York university will consider carefully the candidate’s clarification and explanations of any appropriate and relevant circumstances related to such gaps.

Hiring Policies:
• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here https://www.yorku.ca/vpepc/faculty-affairs/affirmative-action/ or by contacting Christal Chapman, EDI Program Manager (chapman7@yorku.ca).
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/ and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Henrietta Erabhahiemen, Assistant to the Chair at bioaa@yorku.ca.

Application Process:
• Due date for completed applications: December 15, 2024
• Required materials: 1) cover letter; 2) current CV; 3) a statement of research interests (max. 2 pages); 4) a statement of teaching philosophy and experience (max. 2 pages); 5) three reprints or preprints should be uploaded as a single pdf file; 6) contact information for three referees. References will only be requested for shortlisted candidates.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the position to Dr. Niko Troje, Chair of the Search Committee, at troje@yorku.ca.
• Submit materials: at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCI_BIO_ASB

Learn More About York:
• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan https://www.yorku.ca/research/strategic-research-plan-2023-2028/ showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy https://www.yorku.ca/dedi-strategy/, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion https://www.yorku.ca/abr/ and the Indigenous Framework for York University https://indigenous.yorku.ca/framework/.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/.

York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.