Endowed Chair (Assistant/Associate Professor) in Indigenous Forestry Full-time

Indigenous Forestry Endowed Chair

The University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track Endowed Chair position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in Indigenous Forestry. In alignment with Braiding Past, Present, and Future: The University's Indigenous Strategic Plan, the Chair will work to decolonize the forestry curriculum and advance Indigenous perspectives in forest management.

We seek a dynamic scholar who combines expertise in forest management with a deep understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with Indigenous communities. The successful candidate will develop experiential learning opportunities, promote Indigenous-taught courses, and work closely with Indigenous communities, academic colleagues, the forestry sector and industry, to address contemporary forestry challenges. This role emphasizes integrating Indigenous knowledges and Western scientific practices, fostering reciprocal partnerships, and advancing innovative solutions in forestry education and research. The Chair will become a critical member of the forestry faculty and a member of the Alberta School of Forest Science and Management.

The hiring and recruitment processes will involve partnerships with Indigenous community representatives to ensure they reflect the diverse needs and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples in Alberta. This initiative is generously funded by Canfor, West Fraser, Weyerhaeuser, and the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA). The endowment provides start-up funds, financial support for research, and funding to hire graduate students. Additionally, a community engagement and research coordinator will be hired to support the Chair's research and outreach activities for the first five years.

Shortlisted candidates will be expected to deliver a research seminar, a teaching seminar, and a community-centred presentation designed to promote open dialogue, reciprocal knowledge exchange, and accountability to Indigenous community partners, while informing the future direction of the Chair's teaching, research, and outreach.

This competition is restricted to candidates who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Applicants are invited to self-identify in their application. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide documentation or community affirmation of their Indigenous citizenship, membership, or affiliation, consistent with the University of Alberta and Tri-Council guidelines.