Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor, Capacity Development & Extension

College: Ontario Agricultural College

Department: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development

Date Posted: June 29, 2023

Deadline: August 29, 2023

Please reference AD #23-36

Position Description:

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development in the Ontario Agricultural College invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level.

SEDRD is actively involved in Canadian and international capacity development and extension studies at the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as programs in landscape architecture and planning. Capacity Development and Extension (CDE) at the University of Guelph has a long-established history of more than 65 years, making it the oldest of the agricultural extension studies programs offered in English in Canada. Primarily a graduate program, offering some courses at the undergraduate level too, CDE has a global and local commitment in its work. It offers an additional designation at the graduate level in partnership with International Development Studies at University of Guelph. Graduates of the MSc program in Capacity Development and Extension are professionals in the not-for-profit, public, or private sectors. Our alumni include social entrepreneurs working around the world and leading various multi-stakeholder initiatives related to knowledge mobilization, community and environmental leadership, agricultural communication and policy and project management for sustainable, equitable development. Some MSc graduates may transition into research-intensive doctoral level studies. SEDRD invites applications from individuals who want to join as a colleague to work collaboratively in continuing to advance and grow rigorous academic instruction and research and create genuine interest in the knowledge areas and practice of Capacity Development and Extension in Canada, and globally.

The most common distribution of effort for SEDRD faculty is teaching (40%), research (40%) and service/outreach (20%). The ideal candidate will be an early career professional with the following qualifications:

1. A PhD degree in a relevant discipline or interdisciplinary field of study.
2. Post-secondary teaching experience in pursuing effective and relevant outcomes through leadership, collaboration and innovative thinking and practice, preferably in an interdisciplinary team environment.
3. Demonstrated ability to conduct research successfully, including obtaining research funding and engaging with communities.
4. Demonstrated evidence of developing student internships and/or involving students in research projects is desirable.
5. Established record of publication in academic, scientific or professionally peer-reviewed journals.
6. Work experience and/or educational background appropriate to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses; and to supervise graduate student interests in at least two of the following subject areas: communication and knowledge mobilization, digital information and communication technologies, capacity building and learning processes, community engagement, agricultural/environmental leadership, agricultural/environmental information and knowledge policy and program analysis, project management.
7. Global teaching or research experience and evidence of recruiting and teaching international students are desirable.

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD)

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.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on August 29, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials (as a single PDF file): (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a summary of relevant achievements; and (4) a brief statement of areas of current and future interests in teaching, research and outreach. Evaluations of prior teaching experience will be expected. The cover letter should speak directly to the 7 qualifications listed above. References are required at the short-list stage.

Applications should be sent by email to the attention of:

Sean Kelly
Director
School of Environmental Design and Rural Development
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Email:sedrdhr@uoguelph.ca

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We encourage applications from underrepresented or equity deserving groups.

The University recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement and that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

At 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.

The University of Guelph acknowledges the Attawandaron people on whose traditional territory the University of Guelph resides and offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

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