Assistant or Associate Professor

The ​School of Environmental Sciences​ at the University of Guelph invites applications for a ​tenured or tenure-track​ position at the ​Assistant or Associate Professor​ level for the E. Alan (OAC ’60) and Jule A. Cameron Chair in Ecological Pest Management. This Chair is funded through a $3 million endowment sponsored by Dr. Alan and Jule Cameron. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in entomology, ecology, or ecosystem science with a focus on forest ecosystems or agroecosystems and should be an exceptional emerging scholar who has demonstrated research excellence through a strong publication record in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals and who has the potential to lead in their field. Applicants should have expertise in forest and/or crop pest management with a focus on ecologically based pest management strategies and tactics in forest or agricultural systems including, for example, biological control (insects, pathogens); chemical ecology (pheromones, kairomones, allomones); minimally environmentally impactful chemical and/or biological insecticides; pathogen ecology/control; integrated pest management; etc. Experience in field-based research is an asset. The position provides an excellent opportunity to build on existing strengths and reputation within the School of Environmental Sciences (SES) in the field of pest management. The SES is a multi-disciplinary academic unit with researchers in a range of fields (soil science, geology, agricultural meteorology, forest and ecosystem science, environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology, and plant pathology) and has an outstanding international reputation in the fields of entomology, including pest management, pollinator conservation, insect ecology, and insect systematics and evolution.  

The position will require the development of a strong federally and provincially funded research program involving the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students. The successful candidate will have responsibility for teaching existing and/or new courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in ecological pest management. Strong communication skills are essential, and applicants will provide clear evidence of effective teaching, with classroom experience considered an asset. Collaboration in research and graduate training is encouraged with others in SES, the Ontario Agricultural College, and the University, as well as with federal and provincial ministries. Faculty in SES are expected to provide service to the University, to the scientific community, and to society at large. Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT), especially in the form of direct outreach to Ontario’s integrated pest management community, will constitute an important and expected criterion for the Chair holder. This will provide much needed support for farmers and/or foresters with respect to the understanding and management of new and existing insect pest species, especially in relation to climate change and the greater potential for invasive species to succeed in the Canadian climate.  

Researchers in the SES have links across campus including Geography, Environment and Geomatics, The School of Engineering, Integrative Biology, the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, Animal Biosciences, Food Science, Ridgetown Campus and Plant Agriculture, as well as with producer organizations and members of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Vineland Research and Innovation Center, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In addition, it has advanced analytical facilities in-house, and access to research stations across the province, including the nearby Elora and Arkell Research Stations. The school sits within the Ontario Agriculture College and is located on the main campus in the city of Guelph, 80 km west of Toronto, Ontario. More information about the School, the College and the University can be found on their respective websites (www.uoguelph.ca/ses, www.uoguelph.ca/oac, www.uoguelph.ca). 

About the University of Guelph 

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph (https://guelph.ca/), a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues. 

Application Process 

Applications must be submitted by April 21, 2023. Assessment will commence immediately thereafter and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials (preferably as a single PDF file):  

A full curriculum Vitae 

A maximum 3-page cover letter in which you provide a research statement that describes how your research plan; how your research aligns with the University of Guelph’s existing or emerging areas of research strength; and how you embed EDI considerations in your research.  

A maximum 2-page teaching statement, including teaching philosophy, evidence of effective teaching (e.g., course syllabi, teaching plans), and embedding of EDI in teaching practice. 

 Applications should be sent to the attention of: 

 ​​Dr. Paul Sibley​ 

​​Director and Professor​ 

​​School of Environmental Sciences​ 

University of Guelph 

Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 

​​Directorasst.ses@uoguelph.ca​ 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.