Job Description

RESEARCH CHAIR, SUSTAINABILITY

RESEARCH & ACADEMIC INNOVATION

NorQuesters are difference makers and we’re searching for someone dedicated to finding ways forward to join our team as the Research Chair in Sustainability: Building Resilience in Communities and Businesses.

The Research Chair in Sustainability: Building Resilience in Communities and Businesses develops and implements a new, original applied research program in sustainability, with a focus on promoting resilience within communities and businesses. Examples of eligible research program topics, among many others, include:

• Social, industrial, and technological considerations when creating environmental and energy resilience in a changing climate.
• Advancing individual, community, and economic resilience during industrial transitions through use of emerging technology and sustainable business practices.
• Advancing Indigenous land management practices as an act of reconciliation and a response to climate change.
• Examining the advantages of interdisciplinary and multi-solving solutions to social, economic, educational, business, and industrial challenges.
• Understanding and advancing resilience in post-secondary education and lifelong learning.

We are particularly interested in researchers who have strong connections to business, industry, and local communities and employ decolonized, Indigenous, anti-racist, and/or inclusive and equity-focused approaches. The right individual for this role will feel passionate about developing original research project in partnerships with diverse stakeholders, be skilled in securing research funding, and innovatively engaging students and other faculty members in projects that solve real world challenges. Opportunities to collaborate with researchers, business, industry, and community stakeholders, as well as disseminate project results and impacts nationwide to a variety of audiences (academic, communities, industry organizations, and the general public) will be available in this engaging role. The right candidate will collaborate with other NorQuest leaders, researchers, industry partners, and rights-holders, develop opportunities for students, and represent the college within the community and at national and international conferences and roundtables. This role has nearly full autonomy in its decision-making regarding the specific research focus area and activities of the program. It is, however, expected to align with NorQuest College values, build upon the college’s research and programming strengths in business, environment, and technology, and contribute to NorQuest 2030: We are who we include, the college’s strategic plan. Research programs that leverage NorQuest College’s commercial kitchen will be considered an asset.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Develop and lead a unique research program on the topic of accessible and inclusive workplaces.
• Establish strategic research partnerships with external stakeholders, including but not limited to rights-holders, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, government, business and industry, and international experts.
• Secure funding for new applied research projects and related initiatives with external partners in workplace accessibility and inclusion.
• Establish opportunities, including securing funding, to support NorQuest student involvement in research projects as either paid employees or as part of their course work.
• Establish opportunities for other faculty and staff to be seconded to work on research projects within the program.
• Work with Program Chairs, Academic Program Managers, and Vice Deans to identify opportunities for intersections between NorQuest programs and research program activities.
• Represent the college within the community, national and international conferences, events, working groups, and promote awareness of NorQuest applied research activities.
• Engage in academic and non-academic knowledge mobilization, including publication, presentation, performance, or other meaningful activities. Serve as an expert, internally and externally, on the topic of workplace accessibility and inclusion. This includes speaking with the media upon request.
• Create networks between stakeholders/partners and other NorQuest leaders or teams as appropriate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• PhD in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, or related degree, or a Master’s degree in a related field with demonstrated experience securing research funding.
  • If your education was received internationally we recommend you obtain an international education assessment through IQAS, WES, or one of the other nationally designated organizations.
• Experience with co-designed or community-based research is considered an asset.
• 3+ years experience in conducting research related to accessible and inclusive workplaces.
• Formal OCAP, Accessibility, and/or GBA+ training is considered an asset.

WHAT MAKES YOU A DIFFERENCE MAKER

As a difference maker you bring:

• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and decolonial Indigenization.
• Strong research background evidenced by funding, presentation, and publication history (publications may be academic, white papers, and/or grey literature).
• Ability to work independently.
• Previous experience mentoring novice researchers or students is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.

SALARY: Reflective of what you bring, AKA your education and experience. This is a fulltime term position ending on June 30, 2024 (with the possibility of renewal) with immediate access to our great benefit programs.

This is a Faculty role therefore the pay range is quite large, the Faculty Association agreement Appendix A outlines how pay is determined.

We offer flexible work options. We strive for balance between a flexible work environment, connectedness to the campus community, and ensuring NorQuesters are set up to succeed in their roles and responsibilities.

APPLY TO BECOME A NORQUESTER: If this opportunity delights you and your expertise will shine in this role, we invite you to apply for this position online by uploading the following,

• A complete curriculum vitae, including a list of:
• Your academic experience, completed or in progress
• Additional training you have received
• All academic and non-academic roles you have held
• All awards you have received
• All grants you have secured as lead, co-investigator, or collaborator
• All knowledge mobilization products or activities you have undertaken, including publications (academic and non-academic), presentations to academic or community audiences, websites created, videos created, etc.
• Past and current committee membership
• Mentorship of others, including supervision of students or other researchers
• Any other professional experience you deem relevant to the role

• A letter of interest (up to 2 pages) that:
• Briefly highlights your area of research interest for this role
• Briefly outlines your personal research philosophy, particularly with regard to co-design in community-based settings.

Both documents should be combined into a single PDF document and uploaded to the NorQuest College online application system. If you have any issues uploading to the system, please reach out to human.resources@norquest.ca for assistance.

We invite all interested researchers to apply and are particularly interested in researchers who have experience working with and/or who are members of equity-deserving communities. Please ensure you highlight this lived experience in your application.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion :

We're on a journey to become an inclusive, anti-racist, and decolonized organization. NorQuesters are trailblazers – we are curious, creative, and innovative - our lived experiences are honoured, creating accessibility and a sense of belonging for everyone.

NorQuest 2030 We Are Who We Include shares our strength and difference comes from who is included, and along with our students we are learning and growing to listen deeply and say what we feel.

NorQuest College is committed to being an employer of choice for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people by recognizing, respecting, and supporting Indigenous people's self-determination through the institution’s work in decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.

ACCESSIBILITY: At NorQuest, we are who we include. We strive to provide access and accommodation throughout the recruitment, application, and selection process. We want to create opportunities for you to confidently be your authentic self. If you would like an accommodation at any stage of the process, please reach out to human.resources@norquest.ca.

PSST: Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted and we’ll make sure to do this within 28 days of the closing date.

COMPETITION NUMBER: 2023-4324

CLOSING DATE: December 14, 2023 @ 11:59PM MST