Chemistry and Biology - Assistant Professor (Community and/or Ecosystem Ecology)

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the  territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the Department of Chemistry and Biology in the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] (formerly Ryerson University) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor effective July 1, 2025 subject to final budgetary approval. 

We seek a forward-thinking researcher committed to tackling critical ecological challenges in any subdiscipline of community or ecosystem ecology, broadly defined. This may include, but is not limited to the following research areas: modeling ecosystems dynamics; mechanisms of species coexistence and interspecific-interactions; effects of environmental change on communities or ecosystems; traditional knowledges integrated with community or ecosystem ecology; causes and consequences of biogeographic/macroecological patterns; large-scale biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon sequestration); conservation and restoration of impacted ecosystems and the maintenance of biodiversity with applications in urbanization, forestry and/or sustainable agricultural practices. Ideal candidates will employ interdisciplinary approaches that combine empirical and theoretical methods, such as laboratory or field experiments/observations, analyses of existing datasets, and mathematical/statistical modeling.  We welcome candidates who employ applied techniques to develop impactful solutions for building ecological resilience, supporting climate adaptation, and promoting ecosystem restoration by integrating ecological science with social dimensions (e.g., human-natural systems). Applicants are encouraged to also highlight their potential for developing synergies with current areas of expertise and research focus in the Department. Applications from those working with plants and/or fungi and/or invertebrate animals are particularly welcome. Applicants who are passionate about translating their research into meaningful environmental progress through both collaborative research and teaching are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates from groups underrepresented in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research and creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. Teaching duties will entail teaching at undergraduate levels, supervision of students and/or curriculum development. The successful candidate will pursue a strong, innovative research program or creative activity that is externally funded and that produces cutting-edge, high quality results. 

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field by the appointment date. Candidates who are all-but-dissertation (ABD) and are able to demonstrate that they are very close to completion may also be considered. 

In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of: 

• strong emerging scholarly research and creative activity that is current, innovative and impactful as evidenced by, but not limited to, peer-reviewed publications, working papers, public policy contributions, presentations at academic conferences, community and professional work, grants, research related awards and other writing or creative production that contributes to the visibility and prominence of the discipline. 
• demonstrated potential for teaching excellence at all levels of the undergraduate (in particular Biology) and graduate (Molecular Science and Environmental Applied Science and Management) curriculum, as evidenced by a teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of best practices in pedagogy, including effective use of classroom technology and any experience with experiential learning, sample syllabi, strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, and other relevant achievements in teaching;
• a commitment to our values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population; and 
• an ability and willingness to contribute to the life of the Department of Chemistry & Biology and the University through collegial service.  

Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits. 

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture. 

Department of Chemistry and Biology
Our Department offers undergraduate and graduate (Master’s and Doctoral) programs to students of diverse backgrounds. Our faculty prides itself on the excellence of its research, the quality of its teaching and community engagement. We are interested in candidates who will contribute to our existing strengths in research/creativity activity and teaching through academic, professional and diverse lived experiences and perspectives. 

Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan  outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do. 

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. 

We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks. 

Visit us on X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications consisting of the following, must be received by February 6, 2025: 

• a letter of application; 
• a curriculum vitae; 
• a statement of research interests; 
• a teaching dossier and results of teaching evaluations; 
• an EDI statement that demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to integration of EDI principles in research and teaching; and
• names and contact information of three individuals who may be contacted for references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. 

Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Department Hiring Committee Chair Dr. Daniel Foucher at [email protected]. 

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson [[email protected]], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].  

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at [email protected]. 

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact [email protected].