"Assistant Professor - Climate Change and the Critical Zone"

The Department of Geography in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Climate Change and the Critical Zone. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026, or a mutually agreed upon date.

The University of Calgary and particularly its Department of Geography, is internationally recognized for research and innovation in climate change. Building on these strengths, the University has launched a new strategic plan, Ahead of Tomorrow, which emphasizes transdisciplinary scholarship, deeper community engagement, and forward-looking program delivery. To realize this vision, the University's Research and Innovation Plan seeks to expand research and training opportunities, foster collaboration across disciplines and with external partners, and translate new knowledge into meaningful impact. In alignment with this strategy, the Department of Geography is enhancing its leadership in climate change research and innovation by sharpening its focus on Earth's living skin - the critical zone.

Position Description
We are seeking an emerging scholar with a strong foundation in climate change research and its connections to the critical zone - the near-surface environment where the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere interact. The successful candidate will be forward-thinking, with demonstrated potential to develop an original, innovative, and transdisciplinary research program addressing climate change through the lens of Critical Zone processes. This program is expected to generate new knowledge, methods, and technologies that can be translated into sustainable solutions for society. Potential areas of application include Earth surface processes, hydrology, nature-based solutions, carbon cycling, weathering, geochemistry, and ecology.

In alignment with the University of Calgary's strategic plan, and in support of its academic and research priorities, the successful candidate will actively contribute to the supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will also provide service to the Department, Faculty, University, community and profession, contribute to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices, workplaces and learning environments, and add to the collegial and vibrant academic community. The successful candidate will benefit from a rich ecosystem that includes world-class scholars, a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, a commitment to excellence in education, and an equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community that supports transdisciplinary research, partnerships and collaborations with both internal and external stakeholders.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Physical Geography, Earth Science, or a closely related discipline, a strong research record, and teaching experience.

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• A track record of high-quality research in high-quality journals.
• Potential to establish a strong research program at the University of Calgary in an area related to climate change and critical zone science.
• Potential to attract competitive external funding to support their research activities, including funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and a variety of other sources.
• Potential to attract and supervise, mentor, and provide high-quality educational and training experiences to diverse undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
• An ability to support positive student learning outcomes and experiences.
• An ability to teach core undergraduate and graduate courses in Geography programs such as soils, hydrology, biogeography.
• Strong oral and written English communication skills.
• Alignment with Ahead of Tomorrow, the University of Calgary strategic plan, and Collaborate, Innovate, Inspire, the Faculty of Arts strategic plan.

How to Apply
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via the 'Apply Now' link on the UCalgary careers website: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/17104693-assistant-professor-geography-climate-change-and-the-critical-zone

Please note that applications only allow up to four attachments, which may require you to merge the following documents. Your application should be organized to contain the following:

• A Cover Letter (maximum two pages). The letter should include a statement of your research interests and accomplishments, as well as your research vision for the position. Your vision should demonstrate alignment with the research priorities of the University of Calgary, The Faculty of Arts, and the Department of Geography. Please also include the names and contact information for three referees. Note that referees will only be contacted for candidates who are shortlisted.
• A Curriculum Vitae with a complete list of publications.
• A research statement describing projects you will undertake during your first five years in this position (maximum three pages). Include the methodologies you will use, the types of equipment or facilities required to successfully conduct the described research, potential funding sources, and the impact of the projected outcomes of this work.
• Statement of teaching philosophy that promotes learning and success (maximum two pages). This can include information on teaching experience, training, and mentoring, both inside and outside the classroom, at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.
• A statement (maximum two pages) describing how your experiences and perspectives in teaching, research, service, or professional activities have contributed, or will contribute, to fostering diverse perspectives, inclusive learning and research environments, competent collaboration within and across disciplines, and an equitable and collegial academic community.

Applications will be accepted until January 5, 2026.

Questions may be addressed to:
Dr. Chris Hugenholtz
Selection Committee Chair, Department of Geography
Email: chhugenh@ucalgary.ca