Assistant Professor, Research Chair in Sustainability Transitions

University of Toronto Scarborough

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.
The successful candidate will join the Environmental Studies discipline within the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences and the Canada Excellence Research Chair Network for Equity in Sustainability Transitions (CERC NEST) research program. The CERC NEST uses a transdisciplinary, comparative and action-centred approach with communities and city actors in Toronto and internationally to examine how to enhance participation in decision-making, address inequities in regulations and investments, and ensure fair distribution of benefits, livability and a good life for all.
Applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Sustainability or a related area, with a clearly demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths, dovetail with the CERC NEST research vision and methodologies, and encompass just and equitable sustainability transitions, climate change risk, adaptation, climate justice, and/or renewable energy and just transitions.
Areas of research may include climate adaptation and mitigation; knowledge co-production and equity in urban sustainability; urban sustainability; energy equity, transition and decarbonization; water resources, climate and justice; climate, energy or environmental justice; land transformations and energy transitions; resistance and reparative justice; Indigenous knowledge systems and politics; green colonialism and extractivism; critical or transition mineral extraction; and/or net-zero energy systems. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program. We encourage applications from scholars who work with marginalized communities. A record of accomplishment in application, community and/or policy engagement, and community-based and/or transdisciplinary research and partnerships would be a definite asset.
Scholars will be considered from a variety of methodological and analytical traditions, utilizing a broad range of qualitative and quantitative methods and/or combinations thereof (i.e., mixed methods). Nevertheless, proficiency in the collection, computational analysis, and projection from large-scale, spatially explicit, socioeconomic, and environmental datasets will be considered an asset. In particular, we are interested in comprehending the underlying mechanisms of societal transitions that account for environmental and socioeconomic risks to marginalized, underserved, and/or vulnerable members of society.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence as demonstrated by a record of publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals or forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, as well as strong endorsements from referees of high standing.
Evidence of excellence in teaching will be provided through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier (with required materials outline below) submitted as part of the application, as well as strong letters of reference.
Candidates must also show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and to the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as demonstrated through the application materials. Candidates are asked to submit a 1- to 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. The statement should describe how the candidate’s lived experience has influenced their understanding of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as well as examples of how it is reflected in their research or teaching.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences is an interdisciplinary department whose faculty work on various human-environmental challenges that bridge social and physical sciences. The Environmental Studies discipline also has an existing focus on community engagement, knowledge co-production and action-oriented research. The candidate will collaborate with the CERC NEST and build out relevant initiatives and research that support and build in exciting new directions. More broadly, the successful candidate will become part of the largest research institution in Canada, with varied opportunities across all three University of Toronto campuses. For more information about the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, please visit http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/physsci/.
All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae; a 5-page research statement outlining current and future research interests; a recent writing sample; and a teaching dossier that includes a coherent statement of teaching philosophy that is linked to evidence of excellent pedagogical practice; sample course materials either of courses delivered by the candidate or planned for the future; and teaching evaluations; as well as an EDI statement as described above.
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 or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Professor George Arhonditsis at dpes.assistant2chair.utsc@utoronto.ca.
All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by 11:59 PM EST on January 13, 2025.
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.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.