"Associate Professor or Professor in Freshwater Sustainability and Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems"

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
Reference # SES-2026-27-02

The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University (Thunder Bay Campus) invites applications from exceptional candidates for a prestigious full-time tenure track position in the area of Freshwater Sustainability and Healthy Aquatics Ecosystems. The appointment will be at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The successful candidate, upon formally accepting the offer of a full-time faculty position, will be nominated for a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC). The Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program is intended to support world-class researchers and their teams in establishing ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. Nominees to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs opportunity will be internationally leading, interdisciplinary researchers whose proposed research program aligns with one or more of the Government of Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation priority areas. At Lakehead University, successful Canada Excellence Research Chairs will be appointed for eight years, with an award value of $500,000 per year for eight years.

Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful CERC nominee will be expected to lead innovative research tackling the complex interdependencies around freshwater sustainability, including the potential to co-develop aquatic resource research with local communities and First Nations. They will be given a reduced teaching load in order to dedicate the majority of their time to research, a significant annual research grant, and research space and equipment appropriate for the proposed CERC’s program of research. The successful candidate will be appointed and governed by the provisions of the Lakehead University Faculty Association Collective Agreement.

Lakehead University requires that applicants must have earned a PhD degree in Biology, Limnology, Ecology or a related area, with a clearly demonstrated exceptional record of excellence in research, service, training, and teaching. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing research strengths.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized research leader in the field of aquatic sciences. Candidates will be expected to sustain and lead innovative research that will advance the global frontiers of knowledge in sustainable aquatic ecosystems, and to maintain an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program, with a particular focus on the Canadian federal Tri-Agencies.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence commensurate with the selection criteria of the CERC program, 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, distinguished awards and accolades, evidence of impact on multiple fields and/or societal impact, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to the visibility and prominence of the related disciplines, as well as strong endorsements from referees of high standing. Candidates must also possess a strong demonstrated record of service to the research community (e.g., service on peer review committees, faculty recruitment committees, advisory committees) and a demonstrated record of attracting and mentoring a diverse group of students, trainees, and research personnel, and establishing an equitable and inclusive research environment. Nominees to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program will be expected to develop and implement a plan for establishing and maintaining a diverse team and an inclusive research and training environment that promotes co-creation with partners from all sectors (academic, public, private, not-for-profit and philanthropic), in order to increase research knowledge mobilization and translation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be provided through teaching accomplishments, a teaching dossier submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below), as well as strong letters of reference. Experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of delivery is highly desired.

Lakehead University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leaves, slowdowns due to illness or disability, impacts of COVID-19) can have on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the review and assessment of application materials.

Lakehead University and our Community
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.

The Faculty
The Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University hosts the Department of Biology along with 9 other departments. Within the Faculty, The Department of Biology at Lakehead University has one of the largest undergraduate enrolments on campus, with a dynamic group of interdisciplinary researchers with active field and laboratory research programs in ecology, evolution and molecular biology. Biology hosts several undergraduate degree programs and an MSc program in Biology. Supervision of PhD students will be facilitated through the Environmental Biotechnology program in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

To apply for the position, submit an electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) by e-mail and quote Reference # SES-2026-27-02 in both the letter of interest and subject header of the e-mail. For full consideration, the application must include: (a) a letter of interest; (b) curriculum vitae; (c) a 2-page statement of research interests outlining activities the candidate would undertake; (d) a teaching dossier outlining the candidate’s teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness and teaching experience highlighting experiential learning and online or alternative modes of course delivery, as well as course outlines and teaching evaluations for previously taught courses if available; (e) a one-page statement outlining the candidate's understanding and commitment to developing an equitable, diverse and inclusive research and teaching environment; (f) the names and contact information of three references.

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by December 1, 2025. Applicants should submit their electronic application quoting the above reference number to:

Dr. Todd Randall, Dean
Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Email to: applications.ses@lakeheadu.ca