"Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Botany, Department of Ecosystem Science & Management"

The University of Northern British Columbia invites applications for a Tenure-track position in the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, with proposed starting date of 1 July, 2026. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship. UNBC’s Department of Ecosystem Science & Management oversees BSc. undergraduate degrees in: Biology; Conservation Science & Practice; Forest Ecology & Management; and Wildlife & Fisheries, and a BA. degree in Nature and Resource-based Management. Faculty supervise graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) within the Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (NRES) Graduate Program. The program resides within the Faculty of Environment, alongside the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and The School of Planning & Sustainability. UNBC is well equipped with modern research facilities, three field research stations, including two research forests.

We seek candidates who will develop a vigorous, externally funded long-term research program in botany. Preference may be given to applicants with background and/or interest in non-vascular (bryophytes), or vascular-seedless plants (ferns, lycophytes, horsetails), or lichens, whose research addresses questions related to physiology and/or genetics (e.g., functional genetics). Applicants’ research interests may also include: plant eco-physiology, plant biochemistry, or plant taxonomy. An intimate knowledge of Canada’s, and especially British Columbia’s, native flora would be considered a great asset to this position.

UNBC campuses sit at the junction of diverse ecosystems, from temperate-coniferous and mixed-wood forests to grassland and alpine environments, providing a natural laboratory for field-oriented plant biologists seeking to explore and understand complex ecosystems in collaboration with indigenous communities. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with UNBC faculty with expertise in chemistry, microbial ecology, forest ecology and health, meteorology, hydrology, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, natural resource management, and soil science. The new faculty member will also have opportunities to work with Indigenous communities as well as scientists and managers in government, industry, and conservation organizations.

Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in Botany or a closely related discipline. Ideally, applicants will have post-doctoral and/or professional experience and have demonstrated teaching experience at the University level. Candidates should be prepared to teach several courses a year, which could include Systematic Botany (UNBC BIOL 301); Forest Plant Systems (UNBC FSTY 201); Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 311), Molecular Cell Physiology (BIOL 312) or Fungi and Lichens (UNBC BIOL 318). Students from multiple degree programs within the Ecosystems Science and Management Department may participate in these courses. After graduation students have diverse knowledge and experience in ecology, set in the context of current natural resources issues and challenges, and therefore students often pursue professional careers in forestry and applied biology. As such, candidates with relevant professional designations (eg. RPF, RPBIO, PAg) and/or with professional experience would be considered an asset.

Salary
The salary for this position will be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience as per the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The annual salary range for this position is expected to be from $85,473 to $123,948. Please refer to the link below to the Collective Agreement for more compensation information: https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/facultyassociationcollectiveagreementjuly12023-june302025-revised.pdf

To Apply
Applicants should visit https://www.unbc.ca/career-opportunities and apply to this position (**FAESM02-25 CW**) by creating an applicant profile. Please submit the following documents:

• cover letter indicating potential contributions to the Ecosystem Science and Management Degree Program;
• curriculum vitae;
• a brief statement of teaching approaches and research program;
• the names and addresses of three references (including telephone and email information); and
• the Statement of Eligibility to Work in Canada form, which can be found here: https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/statementofemploymenteligibilityjan0520221.pdf.

Voluntary Form:

• the Self-Identification form, which can be found here: https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idreviseddec2022-fillable.pdf

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at wellbeing@unbc.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Inquiries:
Dr. Ken Otter, Chair of Ecosystem Science & Management
ken.otter@unbc.ca
250-960-5019

The University of Northern British Columbia is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC; however, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

Applications received on or before February 15, 2026, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled