This postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is funded through a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Environment and Health Signature Initiative (2016-2023): A SHARED Future (Achieving Strength, Health, and Autonomy through Renewable Energy Development for the Future).
The successful candidate will work under the co-supervision of Dr. Heather Castleden, President’s Impact Chair in Transformative Governance for Planetary Health, at the University of Victoria and Dr. Diana Lewis, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Health Impact Assessment, at the University of Guelph. Dr. Castleden and Dr. Lewis are the Co-Directors of A SHARED Future.
The position will be held in the Health, Communities, and Environment Research Lab (HEC Lab), in the traditional territories of the ləkʷT əŋən speaking peoples: the Esquimalt, the Songhees and the W̱ SÁNEĆ First Nations at the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada). The HEC
Lab focuses on producing justice-oriented research that contributes to pathways of social, environmental, and health equity. The HEC Lab is a dynamic space where highly qualified personnel are trained and mentored to produce cutting edge research.
A SHARED Future is fundamentally about reconciliation and respect between Indigenous and western knowledge systems. The research program supports several thematically-linked projects across Canada studying various types of intersectoral partnerships, with an overall focus on Indigenous peoples’ leadership in renewable energy conservation, efficiency, and development. As A SHARED Future is entering its fifth year, we will be focusing our energies on sharing what we have learned; thus, we are broadly conceiving of this postdoctoral opportunity as an end-of grant knowledge mobilization fellowship. Among the many opportunities associated with this fellowship, the successful candidate will play a key role in the development of an academic book proposal for an edited collection in collaboration with A SHARED Future’s Programmatic Steering Committee.
This opportunity is intended to support an excellent postdoctoral researcher who will, in addition to the above, bring original ideas for their own research related to the general themes associated with A SHARED Future’s objectives. The successful candidate may also wish to align with the research priorities of Dr. Castleden’s Impact Chair and/or Dr. Lewis’ Canada Research Chair. The goal of Dr. Castleden’s Chair in Transformative Governance for Planetary Health is to contribute to shifting our societies to better reconcile human health with the natural systems on which we depend by
bridging academia, communities, and governments. The goal of Dr. Lewis’ CRC is to support the assertion of Indigenous sovereignty over the health of Indigenous community members, their lands and their environments through Indigenous-led environmental health assessment and governance.
There may be an opportunity to teach or co-teach with Dr. Castleden in the School of Public Administration, at the University of Victoria, where the position will be located. If you are interested in teaching, please make mention of that in the cover letter, indicating teaching/assistance experience, and identify areas of teaching potential.
Qualifications:
• Preference will be given to applicants who identify as Indigenous Scholars
• Lived experience working in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples• PhD in hand (or a defense date scheduled by December 2022) in Geography, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Energy, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Gender Studies, or a cognate discipline
• Experience working on interdisciplinary teams and/or on community-based research projects
• A promising trajectory in research and publication; a publication record in areas related to the above specified research interests and field areas would be ideal
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English
• Excellent research abilities, organizational skills, ability to work independently
• Depth of knowledge is essential in the following areas: critical social theory, anti-colonial theory, decolonial theory, Indigenous theories, Indigenous methodologies
• Depth of knowledge is preferred in the following areas: energy policy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, a just transition, and climate justice
Candidates should include in their application:
• A two-page cover letter
• A current Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three academic references
• Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to substitute at least one of their three academic references for an Indigenous community/organizational reference
• A sample peer-reviewed publication, ideally relevant to the position
• A one-page research interest statement that aligns with the proposed fellowship
• Review of applications will begin on June 30th until the position is filled.
Remuneration/Salary: $55,000 CDN + Additional teaching stipend if applicable.
Duration: Preferred start date is July 15st, 2022; 12-month Fellowship.
Location: University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Summer residency is flexible,
local residency required by Sept 1, 2022. Some travel is required.
Please submit your application package to Dr. Castleden’s Research Manager, Dr. Megan Harvey at: meganodh@uvic.ca
The University of Victoria is committed to providing an environment which protects and promotes the human rights and affirms the dignity of all persons, including those of diverse backgrounds and needs, and which provides equitable access to employment opportunities.