First Nations Lands Planning – Tier 2 Canada Research Chair

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Job Details

Full Time

Location

Nanaimo, BC

Salary

dollar sign 71,141 to 114,001 per year

Job Description

Vancouver Island University invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in First Nations Lands Planning. Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are exceptional, emerging researchers acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to demonstrate world-class leadership.

The successful candidate will be an emerging world-class researcher with demonstrated interest and expertise in (1) issues relating to Indigenous Lands Planning as well (2) trends in legal decisions relating to Rights and Title. The Chair will also hold or develop expertise in the implementation of UNDRIP at both federal and provincial levels in Canada. The Chair will be a member or eligible for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and would qualify as a Registered Professional Planner. The Chair is expected to achieve a level of international recognition in the short term, attract excellent graduate students to the MCP Program, collaborate with faculty on campus and other researchers off campus on joint research initiatives, and provide funding to MCP students through the sponsorship of major projects and theses.

Research Areas

Understanding of pre-colonization land use patterns, particularly on the west coast
Ongoing impacts of the reserve system on Right and Title
Reinterpretation of the Douglas Treaties through a planning lens
Research and the development of engagement techniques that develop from Indigenous protocols and practices
Impacts of the Modern Treaty Process and the Treaty negotiation process on First Nations’ community planning, lands planning, and development
Links between the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and community/lands planning
Links between the implementation of UNDRIP both through federal and BC provincial legislation with a focus on issues relating to peoples and lands
Detailed analysis/understanding of emerging issues (for example, Lands Back) relating to recent court decisions and shifts to self-government for Nations.

The CRC will have 75% of their position dedicated to research and 25% towards teaching (equivalent to 2 courses annually). The teaching responsibilities will be determined based on the disciplinary and teaching background of the candidate. The CRC will become a faculty member in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Canada Research Chairs are tenable for 5 years and renewable once, after which time, the CRC will become a full time faculty member. The CRC will be provided with an operating grant for their research program and may apply for Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding.

Key Responsibilities:

VIU’s academic requirements include course delivery, research supervision and institutional service. Duties, responsibilities and expectations of the position will include, but not be limited to:

Demonstrated commitment to knowledge translation aligned with priorities determined by Indigenous community partner(s);
Demonstrated leadership skills, collaborative research, research network development, community consultation and involvement in the areas of First Nations Land Planning;
Demonstrated research excellence with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and external research funding;
Demonstrated research ability with a potential for developing new areas of collaborative research;
In addition to the research program, the Chair will participate in the academic programs including the teaching of undergraduate or graduate courses and other educational and scholarly activity;
Provide leadership for research and scholarly activity;
Track record of attracting and mentoring research trainees at all levels and with a particular emphasis on undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications:

The Canada Research Chairs program expects Tier 2 nominees to be within 10 years of having received a Ph.D. (or the highest degree in their discipline); be excellent emerging researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality; and, as a chairholder, have the potential to attract excellent students and future researchers as well as research funding.

Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training), may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through CRC's Tier 2 Justification Process. Please contact research@viu.ca for more information. VIU recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves can have on a candidate's record of research achievement and will take leaves into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Salary Information:

VIUFA F2: $71,141 - $114,001 per annum (prorated if part-time).
Faculty are placed on the salary scale based on education, experience and placement criteria as outlined in the Collective Agreement.

Please Submit:

Curriculum Vitae.
Cover letter with a statement of the applicant's research highlights, an educational philosophy relating to the position, and the applicant's expected contribution to the University, Faculty and Department.
A two-page concept paper describing an innovative research plan. The concept paper must include: Project summary (250 words), Context, Methodology, Engagement with research users and communication of results, and HQP training plan. Please include literature cited (not included in 2 page limit).
Name and contact information for three people willing to provide a reference.
Self-Identification form directly to Carole Gray, HR Specialist, Recruitment and EDI at edi@viu.ca. The questions in this form are consistent with those used by the Canada Research Chairs Program and use wording found in the federal Employment Equity Act.

View the full position profile and submit your application and self-identification form online. This posting is open until filled. The review of applications will begin on January 15th, 2025.

Appointment subject to approval through the Canada Research Chair Secretariat, start date April or October 2026. For the complete nomination process and CRC eligibility requirements, applicants should review the CRC Website.

Equity & Access

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

Vancouver Island University is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. We want to ensure that all participants can engage fully in interviews and other activities that are part of the process. If you have any accommodation requests, please email recruit@viu.ca. All requests for accommodation will be treated confidentially.

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

About Vancouver Island University

Work Where You Matter. We invite you to explore the possibilities of a career with Vancouver Island University. Known as a centre of excellence, Vancouver Island University (VIU) produces quality graduates who are in demand by employers across the country and around the world. VIU offers a supportive campus community focused on innovative teaching methods, undergraduate research opportunities and creating an exceptional learning experience for our students. VIU’s rich history and connection with its communities dates back to 1936 when Nanaimo’s first vocational training school opened its doors. Today, VIU offers an extensive range of programming, from industry-responsive trades and applied training to academic undergraduate and graduate degrees. VIU has evolved into a university that supports a student population of over 14,000 learners, including 2,100 international students, over 1,500 Indigenous students, and employs over 2,000 faculty and staff. Located in Nanaimo on British Columbia’s spectacular West Coast, VIU offers the opportunity to live and learn in one of the most beautiful university settings in Canada. VIU is one of BC's top Employers! VIU was named one of British Columbia's top 100 employers in 2023 for the fourth consecutive year by the Top Employers program. We are a proud recipient of this honour and all that it represents about the VIU employment experience.