"Academic Director of the Lawson Climate Institute (Associate Professor or Professor)"

Closing Date: 04/20/2026, 11:59PM ET

Req ID: 46706

Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science and Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Department: Faculty of Arts & Science and Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description: The University of Toronto invites applications and nominations for a full-time tenure stream position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor who will serve as the Academic Director of the Lawson Climate Institute (LCI). The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027. The appointment as Academic Director will be for a 5-year term, renewable following a favourable review.

The Lawson Climate Institute is a landmark interdisciplinary Institute established in 2025 through a transformational $60 million philanthropic gift. Created at a pivotal moment in the global response to climate change, the Lawson Climate Institute represents one of the University’s most ambitious and strategically significant initiatives, positioning Toronto as a global hub for climate research, innovation, and leadership.

The Lawson Climate Institute brings together leading scholars, researchers, and partners from across disciplines to accelerate the development and implementation of climate solutions. Building upon the University of Toronto’s global reputation for research excellence and its long-standing leadership in sustainability, the Institute serves as a university-wide platform to advance interdisciplinary research, foster collaboration across sectors, and translate academic knowledge into real-world impact. Through its research platforms, partnerships, and public engagement activities, the Institute seeks to address the scientific, technological, economic, and societal dimensions of climate change while educating and supporting the next generation of climate leaders. Reflecting the Institute’s broad interdisciplinary mandate, the Academic Director may come from any academic discipline relevant to advancing climate and sustainability solutions.

Applicants must have earned a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate field and have a distinguished academic record of scholarly achievement and research leadership that commands credibility within the academic community as well as a clearly demonstrated record of excellence in teaching. The successful candidate will have proven leadership experience in a senior academic or research administration role, demonstrating the ability to manage complex budgets, oversee staff and operations, allocate resources strategically, and balance competing priorities in a decentralized university environment.

Reporting to both the Dean of the Faculty or Arts & Science and the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, the Academic Director serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Institute and will provide visionary leadership at a formative stage in its development. The Academic Director will be responsible for shaping and implementing the Institute’s strategic direction, establishing its governance and operating framework, and ensuring excellence and integration across its research and programmatic activities. Working closely with faculty, research leaders, university partners, and external stakeholders, the Academic Director will advance the Institute’s mission and strengthen its role as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The Academic Director will also play a critical role in building and sustaining partnerships across the University of Toronto and beyond, engaging with academic institutions, industry, government, and global organizations to expand the Institute’s reach and impact. As a visible and influential leader, the Academic Director will represent the Institute and the University on the global stage, convening thought leaders, advancing policy dialogue, and contributing to the development of solutions to one of the defining challenges of our time.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and the vision and leadership required to build and guide a globally significant research Institute. The Academic Director will play a central role in shaping the Institute’s trajectory and advancing the University of Toronto’s leadership in climate research and sustainability for decades to come. Candidates will be expected to sustain and lead innovative and independent research, and to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated by a record of sustained high-impact contributions and publications in top-ranked and field relevant journals, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the discipline, as well as strong endorsements from referees.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be provided through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below), as well as strong letters of reference.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence as articulated in University of Toronto’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence. We seek candidates who share these values and who demonstrate throughout the application materials their commitment and efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

The rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary range of this position exceeds $200,000 CAD per annum.

An executive search is being undertaken by U of T’s search partner Perrett Laver. Perrett Laver will support the Search Committee in identifying a diverse field of qualified candidates and in the assessment of candidates against the selection criteria. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfill the role description and selection criteria noted herein to Perrett Laver’s Vacancies page quoting reference 8145. The deadline for applications is April 20, 2026 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

The application must include: the candidate’s current curriculum vitae; a cover letter that highlights their interest in the position, what they feel they bring to it; a research statement outlining current and future research interests; one recent publication; and a teaching dossier which includes a teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations.

The selection committee will together review all candidates’ applications and agree on a longlist for the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to discuss the position with Perrett Laver in greater detail. The selection committee will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist to be invited to the formal interview stage.