Indigenous Scholar – Environmental Science – Faculty of Science

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Indigenous Scholar – Environmental Science – Faculty of Science

Date Posted: May 1, 2026
Posting Deadline: Posted until filled
Department: Environmental Science (ENVS)
Type of Employment: Permanent, Full-Time
Group Affiliation: SMUFU

The ENVS Department of Saint Mary’s University, located on the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, invites applications from Indigenous scholars for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (Research Tenure Track), with a preferred start date on or before July 1, 2027.

This position is a targeted hire for an Indigenous scholar under the Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union Collective Agreement as part of SMU’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and is open only to qualified scholars who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or an Indigenous person from another global context. Given the location of Saint Mary’s on the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq, applications from Mi’kmaw people are particularly encouraged. Applicants are required to document their Indigenous identity in their application and should be aware that the University will verify the community connections of applicants. At Saint Mary‘s, you will be surrounded by a talented and dedicated team of professionals committed to accessibility, diversity, and the provision of a positive and supportive learning environment.

Job Information and Responsibilities

The Department of Environmental Science (ENVS) invites applications for a Full-Time, Tenure-Track position involving teaching, research and service. The successful candidate will have strong skills and/or experience to conduct research and teaching programs in any science-oriented interdisciplinary field of Environmental Science that complements and strengthens our current themes of climate change, environmental health and pollution, forestry, and natural resources. Our current faculty in ENVS engage in a wide range of research areas outlined here.

The successful applicant will be capable of teaching a range of our first- and second-year courses, as well as selected upper-level courses matching the applicant’s research interests. As a department, we are and will continue to work together, collaboratively, on decolonizing and indigenizing our curriculum. While not a requirement for this position, we particularly encourage applications from candidates with focus on Indigenous research and teaching of Indigenous knowledge systems related to environmental science. To that end, the successful applicant will be expected to contribute to teaching relating to Indigenous aspects of environmental science in courses.

We acknowledge the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact on their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Our Department supports a diverse student body, and we seek applicants who will incorporate inclusive practices in their teaching and research, aligned with the goals of SMU’s Academic Plan.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent and externally funded research program (e.g. through NSERC, CSA, MITACS) that ideally includes both undergraduate and graduate (Master’s , PhD) students. Saint Mary’s University has undergone significant renewal of spaces and facilities, supporting faculty actively involved in teaching and research. We are working to establish and build upon areas of distinct research strength and through those foster collaborations locally, regionally, and internationally, as reflected in our Strategic Research Plan. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers interdisciplinary Masters and PhD degrees in Applied Science, facilitating supervision of graduate students by faculty in science disciplines at SMU.

The SMU Faculty Union’s Collective Agreement with the university, which outlines salary scales and other information associated with the faculty role, may be reviewed here.

Experience and Education Requirements

The successful candidate must have:
• A demonstrated record of effective teaching and advanced research capability, as confirmed either by: (a) holding a Doctoral Degree, or one near completion, in environmental science or a relevant science field (if all but defended (ABD), with clear documentation of expected completion date); or (b) providing evidence of equivalent contributions of Indigenous research and knowledge, knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing through life experience, practical research experience, traditional knowledge, or other approaches.
• A demonstrated track record of working effectively in cross-disciplinary environments, and either a strong record of both research and teaching, or an emerging scholarly profile with concrete evidence of excellent teaching potential.
• A demonstrated record of collegial service to their professional field, university or community.
• Active connections and relationships with Indigenous communities and the ability to strengthen partnerships with local Indigenous organizations.

Application Details

Qualified candidates must submit the following (as one PDF file with their application).

1. A cover letter outlining i) how the applicant’s background aligns with the desired qualifications, their vision of working as an Indigenous faculty member in Environmental Science, ii) which current ENVS course offerings the applicant would most like to teach, iii) availability to start on January 1 or July 1, 2027 and iv) a clear statement of status as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If the applicant is ABD, please indicate the anticipated PhD defense date.
2. Documentation of Indigenous identity.
3. An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
4. A teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy, course outlines (if available), evidence of teaching effectiveness and student evaluations of past teaching (if available).
5. A research statement including: i) a summary of the applicant’s three most significant contributions to research (publications/presentations/reports/patents on a specific subject can be grouped into one contribution; maximum of 2 pages), ii) a short-term (3 years) and longer-term research plan (maximum of 2 pages).
6. The names and email contacts of three (3) references who are best able to comment on the applicant’s suitability for this position.
7. Optional: Applicants may also include a statement detailing career interruptions or other special circumstances relevant to their application (maximum of 2 pages) following NSERC guidance.

Applications are to be submitted online using Career Beacon through smu.ca/about/faculty-employment-opportunities.html. Applications submitted by e-mail will not be processed. Consideration of applications will begin on September 1, 2026.

Address your application materials to:

Dr. Linda Campbell (Chairperson)
Department of Environmental Science
Faculty of Science
Saint Mary’s University, Halifax NS, Canada, B3H 3C3

We appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

About Saint Mary’s University

We acknowledge that Saint Mary’s University is located on the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725 which recognized Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik title to the lands and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship. As environmental scientists, we recognize the importance of the Treaties of Peace and Friendship during our teaching, research and work in Mi’kma’ki and within the Wabanaki Confederacy.

Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s top primary undergraduate universities (consistently ranked in the top 5 by Maclean’s) and is one of the top primarily undergraduate research university in the Atlantic provinces, according to the Top 50 Research Universities rankings. The Institution is known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada’s best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary’s provides our 5,500 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast, Saint Mary’s University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary’s University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world – a world without limits.

Some of the benefits for faculty members at Saint Mary’s University include competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, defined contribution pension plan, vacation, personal days, professional development, holiday closure, and employee Halifax transit EPass program.

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