Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor in Wildlife Rehabilitation and Wildlife Welfare (3-year Contractually-Limited)

College: College of Biological Science

Department: Integrative Biology

Date Posted: April 22, 2021
Deadline: June 1, 2021 or until a suitable candidate is found
Please reference AD #21-18

Position Description:

The Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph invites applications for a contractually-limited position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of wildlife rehabilitation, wild (free-living) animal health and welfare, and conservation biology. The position will be for a 3-year term and will focus on the creation of a new course-based graduate program in wildlife biology. Continuation or regularization of the position is possible based on the viability of the new graduate program.

A Ph.D. and/or D.V.M. and relevant postdoctoral and/or work experience will be required, along with evidence of strong potential to develop and coordinate a course-based graduate program in Wildlife Biology that includes themes of wildlife rehabilitation, wild animal health and welfare, biodiversity science, and conservation biology. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience in teaching courses in rehabilitation and/or welfare of wild animals, in particular using an evidence-based approach to pedagogy and active, experiential learning. A strong understanding of wildlife policy and the ability to form connections with relevant government agencies, Indigenous and other local communities, and industry partners will be particularly valuable. The successful candidate will also demonstrate strong potential to conduct research and student supervision in wildlife biology.

The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, multidisciplinary department with ~35 faculty and an excellent record in research in physiology, evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, and biodiversity, encompassing a wide range of taxa and levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems. Members of the department have expertise in various complementary areas relevant to wildlife biology, including DNA-based biomonitoring, environmental DNA, ecological modelling, conservation biology, animal welfare, and eco-physiology. The successful candidate will have access to a variety of facilities and field sites such as the University of Guelph Arboretum and the Hagen Aqualab, as well as several field stations, and will be expected to interact productively with other initiatives at the University including the Guelph Institute for Environmental Research (GIER) and One Health Institute (OHI).

In the Department of Integrative Biology, we value diversity and inclusivity because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, complex problem solving, and the creation of a modern, representative academic community. The Department is committed to developing and maintaining a culture that is positive, collegial, and respectful of all members, and in which wellness and healthy work-life balance are valued along with (and indeed, contribute to) excellence in research and teaching. To develop an inclusive and vibrant departmental culture, the Department maintains standing committees focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellness and has developed specific recommendations for faculty hiring that incorporate these important issues. Department of Integrative Biology’s EDI statement.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, 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 over 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.

This position is one of several positions being advertised simultaneously in the Integrative Biology department and across the university. All open faculty searches.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin June 1, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) teaching statement; (4) research statement, (5) diversity statement, (6) names and contact information of three references.

The teaching statement (2 pages max) should include a paragraph articulating your overarching teaching philosophy, examples of 2-3 specific teaching strategies you would plan to use in your graduate and undergraduate teaching, and examples of topics you would be most interested in teaching. The research statement (2 pages max) should outline your current research interests and plans for research that you would like to undertake during the duration of the position. The diversity statement (1 page max) should describe the strategies you plan to use to ensure your research, teaching, and mentorship activities provide equitable opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in your courses and research group.

Applications should be sent by email to ibsearch@uoguelph.ca, to the attention of:

Dr. Ryan Gregory
Professor and Department Chair
Integrative Biology
College of Biological Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

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

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.