Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture Planning and Landscape

University of Calgary

Job ID: 33156
Location: Main Campus
Updated October 22, 2024

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary invites applications for a tenure track position in Landscape Architecture at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Landscape Ecology and Climate Action with a focus on one or more of the following areas bridging natural sciences and design:
• Landscape ecology and ecological restoration,
• Climate change mitigation and climate change responsive design,
• Low Impact Development (LID).

This appointment will be made in either the Teaching Focused Stream or the Teaching and Research Stream.

Teaching Focused Stream Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach studio courses and courses in their areas of specialization. While a robust research program is not expected, candidates will be given opportunities to develop research collaborations, supervise students and apply for funding support for these activities.

Teaching and Research Stream candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach studio courses and courses in their areas of specialization and the potential to build a research program that is externally funded, collaborative, distinctive and forward looking.

We are keen to contribute to building resilient environments and healthy communities by advancing design research and education for climate change mitigation and low-impact development. The 2024 MLA Strategic Plan emphasizes these values and our commitment to strengthening and advancing, across the curriculum, our focus on climate change-related theories, design approaches and solutions, and technical expertise.

In addition to offering professional degrees - Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Planning, and Master of Architecture - as well as research-focused master's and doctoral programs, SAPL is entering an exciting phase of growth. This growth includes the recent launch of a groundbreaking transdisciplinary Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI) and a strengthened focus on community-engaged teaching and research through our move to a new, expanded home in a repurposed high-rise office building in downtown Calgary. This position is part of a multi-year hiring process that is adding more than 12 new full-time faculty members to SAPL. Successful candidates will be assigned teaching duties across both the Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Planning, and BDCI programs.

The Master of Landscape Architecture is a first professional graduate degree in landscape architecture accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC) of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA). The Program's curriculum incorporates the breadth of the accreditation standards and required competencies. It prepares students for careers in landscape architecture, and professional registration in the provincial and Canadian context. Graduates also benefit from reciprocity with certification bodies across North America. The Program is a three-year curriculum, comprising a Foundation year and M1 and M2 years. It is a course-based degree structured around a sequence of core design studios, technology courses, and design theory and methods courses, preparing future landscape architecture professionals and leaders with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to address the environmental and societal challenges of our time through innovative design.

Qualifications Required for the Teaching-Focused Stream
• Master's degree in Landscape Architecture.
• Full membership (professional registration) in the Canadian Society of Landscape Architecture (CSLA) or equivalent professional Landscape Architecture organization or be eligible and committed to pursuing CSLA full membership, to be achieved by the time of applying for tenure.
• Demonstrated and significant professional experience in landscape architecture.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence in design studios in landscape architecture as well as theory or technical courses related to landscape architecture competencies.
• Demonstrated professional experience and teaching excellence in at least one and preferably more of the following areas, bridging natural sciences and design:
- Landscape ecology and ecological restoration,
- Climate change mitigation and climate change responsive design,
- Low Impact Development (LID).
• A working and demonstrable knowledge of contemporary and emerging design tools that support both the studio environment and lecture courses.
• Demonstrated design leadership.
• Peer review recognition of landscape architecture practice excellence through awards/ publications/ exhibitions.

A post-professional degree, including a PhD (completed or in progress) is an asset but not required.

In addition to teaching, successful candidates in the Teaching Focused Stream will be expected to establish and maintain an active critical professional practice, supervise practice-oriented student research, participate in the School through service activities as required, and engage in community outreach through SAPL partnerships.

Qualifications Required for the Teaching and Research Stream:
• Master's degree in Landscape Architecture.
• Full membership (professional registration) in the Canadian Society of Landscape Architecture (CSLA) or equivalent professional Landscape Architecture organization or be eligible and committed to pursuing CSLA full membership, to be achieved by the time of applying for tenure.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence in design studios in landscape architecture as well as theory or technical courses related to landscape architecture competencies.
• Demonstrated teaching and research excellence in at least one and preferably more of the following areas, bridging natural sciences and design:
- Landscape ecology and ecological restoration,
- Climate change mitigation and climate change responsive design,
- Low Impact Development (LID).
• Well described research agenda supported by research activities that demonstrate potential for future success.
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Success in obtaining peer-reviewed research grants.
• Demonstrated capacity to initiate an externally grant-funded research program.

A post-professional degree, including a PhD (completed or in progress) is an asset but not required.

In addition to teaching, successful candidates in the Teaching and Research Stream will be expected to establish and maintain an active and externally funded research program with a preference for tri-council grants, supervise student research, participate in the School through service activities as required, and engage in community outreach through SAPL partnerships.

Application Instructions
Applications are encouraged as soon as possible but will be accepted until the position is filled.

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via the 'Apply Now' link at the UCalgary careers website:
https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/15064941-assistant-professor-of-landscape-architecture-school-of-architecture-planning-and-landscape

A complete application includes:
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information for three referees.
• A statement of teaching, scholarly, and professional experience and expertise.
• A portfolio including relevant samples of design research, design practice and student work. Collaborative work should include attribution. Maximum combined file size is 10 MB. Allowed formats are .doc and pdf

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, click here.

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.