The Department of Ocean Sciences (DOS) at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) (http://www.mun.ca/osc/) invites applications from senior scholars for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Biological Oceanographic Processes, to advance our understanding of North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean ecosystems. The Chair will use novel approaches and tools to address the core question of how these ecosystems respond to the evolving physical-chemical environment (e.g., warming, acidification), with resultant influence on the timing and nature of species interactions, ocean productivity, and ecosystem services. Appointment will be at the level of tenured, Full Professor. The position is expected to be available after 1 November, 2017. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications.
The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada among the world?s top countries in research and development. Nominees must meet the requirements for Tier 1 appointment as defined by the CRC program: be recognized as an outstanding and innovative world-class research leader whose accomplishments have made a major international impact in the field, have a superior record of obtaining competitive external research funding and attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and be proposing an original, innovative, research program of the highest quality. Further information on qualification criteria can be found at http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/
After nomination, the candidate will work with the DOS and with the Office of CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services at Memorial University in completing the Chair application. The application will then be subject to review and final approval by the Chairs Secretariat (http://www.chairs- chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s9). It is expected that the successful candidate will be a senior scientist with a level of scholarship and publication record commensurate with current NSERC Tier 1 chair holders in the discipline of Ecology & Evolution (http://www/>http://www. chairs-chaires.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/index-eng.aspx). Other expectations include developing new, collaborative, research initiatives in oceanography; and maintaining high profile, well-funded, fundamental and applied research programs that attract outstanding graduate students. The Chair is expected to secure external funding through an NSERC Discovery Grant and other funding sources. In addition, the Chair will be expected to develop major, collaborative initiatives.
The DOS, which is located 12 km north of the University?s main campus in St. John?s, is recognized internationally for the quality and productivity of research programs in biological, chemical, and fisheries oceanography, marine biology and ecology, aquaculture, animal physiology, animal behaviour, and genomics. The mandate of the Department is to carry out high-quality research focused on organisms and processes in cold oceans, deliver undergraduate and graduate courses in ocean sciences, and supervise honours and graduate students, and post- doctoral fellows. At present, the Department of Ocean Sciences has a core faculty of 15, a staff of over 40, and over 60 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Because of our unique location at the gateway to the Arctic and at the intersection of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream, the DOS offers exceptional opportunities to study the impacts of climate-mediated changes on biological oceanographic processes. Our infrastructure offers a suite of tools (e.g. cold rooms, flumes, wave tanks, and central pools of advanced field equipment) to support laboratory and field-based research. All buildings are supplied with cold, clean, flowing seawater. The Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB), contains environmentally controlled, large tank facilities for rearing algae, zooplankton, fish larvae, and broodstock. The Cold-Ocean Deep-Sea Research Facility (CDRF; http://www.mun.ca/osc/>http://www.mun.ca/osc/CDRF/index.php), houses a large, level B/III containment laboratory, a deep-sea laboratory including pressurized chambers, and specialized research equipment including tissue culture facilities, an Aria III flow cytometer, a confocal microscope, a benchtop scanning electron microscope, and a fully automated histological suite. A wide variety of telemetry, biochemical, molecular, and chromatographic equipment, is available at the DOS and main campus (http://www.mun.ca/research/resources/creait/). Extramural work is facilitated by our Field Services Unit, with 4 certified SCUBA divers, a large SCUBA support truck, a Boston Whaler, and zodiac. Larger research vessels are available locally, from the Marine Institute and Department of Fisheries and Oceans. MUN operates the Bonne Bay Marine Station on the west coast of the island (http://www.bonnebay.ca), with facilities for teaching and research, including the moored, Bonne Bay Marine Observatory (http://www.biosonicsinc.com/doc_library/docs/oceans_2005_bonnebay_final.pdf)
The strong interdisciplinary nature of biological oceanography will allow the Chair holder to draw from within and outside the DOS to integrate with other academic departments and research units to build on the major research themes outlined in MUN's Research Strategy Framework. As an established international leader in ocean sciences, the Chair will catalyze diverse scholarly activity at Memorial, and develop large-scale collaborative research projects that will integrate marine biological research within ocean sciences in DOS and with other departments and organizations.
Memorial University is the largest university in Atlantic Canada, and plays an integral role in the educational and cultural life of the province. Offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs to over 18,000 students, Memorial provides a distinctive and stimulating environment for learning. St. John?s is a safe, friendly city with great historic charm, a vibrant cultural life, and easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities. For further information about Memorial, please visit http://www.mun.ca/
The deadline to receive applications is 8 July 2016. Applications should include the following:
- A letter of application describing how the applicant meets the criteria for the position
- An up-to-date curriculum vita
- Outline of a research plan (2 page limit)
- The names and addresses of three referees
Please send applications electronically to:
Dr. Garth Fletcher, Head Department of Ocean Sciences
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, A1B 3X5
E-mail: (fletcher@mun.ca). REFERENCE: VPA-OSC-2016-002
For further information, telephone (709) 864-3708, fax (709) 864-3220, e-mail (wsparkes@mun.ca).
Memorial University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified women, visible minorities, aboriginal people, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.