Assistant Professor, Biology

at  Macewan University

ABOUT US

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton’s diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.
Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 19,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

OPPORTUNITY

The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Science, in partnership with kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre, invites applications for a full-time tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing July 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval.
In this appointment, you will be cross-appointed to kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre during the initial three years in the position, with potential for renewal.
MacEwan is seeking an individual with lived Indigenous experiences who is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. As MacEwan University’s Indigenous Centre, kihêw waciston offers personal, academic, financial, and cultural support for students and is open to everyone in the MacEwan community. You will work closely with kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre and have good relationships with Indigenous communities.
Initially, in addition to teaching a reduced course load in the Department of Biological Sciences for the duration of the cross-appointment, you will provide consultation and participate in developing an Indigenous-focused curriculum to align with institutional priorities, and foster community engagement. This will involve collaborating with the Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement and kihêw waciston to plan and organize faculty educational opportunities and develop culturally sensitive programming, evaluations, and events. After this period, you will be assigned a standard faculty workload in your home department.
Within the Department of Biological Sciences, both during the cross-appointment and after, you will contribute to the Department’s pedagogical expertise by bringing your lived First Nations, Metis, or Inuit experience to the design and delivery of the undergraduate curriculum and the mentorship of students. You will pursue academic and/or community-based scholarly activity and will work collaboratively to contribute service to the University and the broader community.
You will develop new courses in your area of expertise, that explore the intersection of Indigenous ways of knowing with other scientific methods and processes. Preferably, you will have expertise in an area that contributes to the curriculum in Ecology and/or Environmental Sciences and the development of field courses focused on Land-based learning, however, applicants from all areas of expertise in Biological and Environmental Sciences will be considered. You will also have the option to collaborate with other faculty in the redesign of existing Biological Sciences courses to incorporate Indigenous perspectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

You must have a Master’s or PhD in Biological or Environmental Sciences or a related field, and lived experience that complements your disciplinary knowledge. You will demonstrate a primary commitment to undergraduate teaching and plans for an ongoing scholarly program informed by both your disciplinary background and lived First Nations, Metis, or Inuit experience. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities, including their diverse backgrounds and culture, socio-economic issues, and educational needs, is strongly preferred. You will also demonstrate ethical engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities.
You should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae which demonstrate a highly developed knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures and contemporary issues with a proven ability to engage with Indigenous communities. You should also submit a teaching dossier (including recent teaching evaluations), a statement of research and scholarly interests, and samples of scholarly work.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the Department Chair to provide three (3) letters of reference sent directly from referees.
Only selected candidates will be required to submit official transcripts sent directly from the institutions where you completed your degrees.
Shortlisted candidates may also be asked to provide evidence of their ability to collaborate with Indigenous communities through examples of previous collaboration, or a letter of support from an Indigenous community.
Questions about this opportunity may be addressed to Dr. Kimberley Harcombe, Department Chair, at harcombek@macewan.ca, or to Terri Cardinal, Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement, in kihêw waciston at cardinalt@macewan.ca

Please refer the Job description for details