Job Description

The University of Manitoba invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) for an Equity Designated position established for scholars who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and are undertaking research in the area of Indigenous resource/environmental governance. We are seeking applicants who have the highest potential for success for securing a CRC.

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Associate Professor or Professor, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba.

The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources (CHRFEER), University of Manitoba and on the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the national homeland of the Red River Métis, is accepting applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC), established by the government of Canada to enable Canadian universities to foster research excellence (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca). With this Chair, the Natural Resources Institute intends to build on the University of Manitoba strategic research priorities and contribute to the University’s effort in meeting and sustaining its current equity and diversity targets.

The applicant’s research area should primarily align with Indigenous resource/environmental governance, which includes bridging diverse knowledges into decision making. A priority resource sector for the NRI in this regard is water, with a secondary focus on impact assessment, consistent with Treaties, Canadian Constitution Act, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, Impact Assessment Act, and relevant case law.

It is expected that the Chair will work collaboratively with researchers across the University of Manitoba, and we note in particular the potential for linkages with Indigenous Scholars at UM such as CRCs in Comparative Indigenous Rights and Miyowe’citowin, Indigenous Governance and Digital Sovereignties. In the CHRFEER, collaborations with the CRCs in Arctic Environment Change and Governance and Energy Transitions and Social Justice in the North would be desirable. It is also expected that linkages with other institutions such as The Centre for Human Rights Research and The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be pursued. Collaboration beyond the university is also expected, with Indigenous, Federal, and Provincial governments as well as various institutions, such as Indigenous Organizations, Canada Water Agency, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, and Clean Environment Commission of Manitoba. Collaboration is meant to help generate and facilitate the use of research knowledge to improve/advance the unit’s strategic priorities as it pertains to the University of Manitoba’s Strategic Research Plan: https://umanitoba.ca/research/sites/research/files/2024-07/university-of-manitoba-strategic-research-plan-2024-29.pdf. Any ongoing collaborations of an applicant would be considered an asset.

A Tier 1 CRC Nomination will be submitted soon after a successful candidate has been selected. Chairs are awarded by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat after a rigorous evaluation, an award decision is expected in April of 2026. The appointment will be conditional on a successful Canada Research Chair nomination.

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following application material by May 18, 2025 to the contact person indicated below:
• A cover letter highlighting the candidates’ qualifications for this position;
• A curriculum vitae (identifying examples of significant research contributions);
• A two-page statement outlining the innovative and original proposed research program envisioned for the Tier 1 Chair, including its potential to attract funding and contribute to student training;
• A one-page teaching, training and mentoring statement that documents the candidate’s experience in and approach to teaching, training and mentoring, including the candidate’s teaching philosophy;
• A one-page statement outlining approaches to Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in research design, teaching, training and mentoring and service; and,
• The names and contact information for three references

The University acknowledges the potential impact of Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain the impact of any such interruption(s) in their submission. Measures will be taken to ensure that these interruptions will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process. The (Unit’s) CRC Nomination Selection Committee will receive equity training that includes instruction on how to recognize and combat unconscious, implicit, overt, prejudicial and other kinds of bias.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of EDI and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Nomination Selection and Assessment:

Applications will be reviewed by the Unit’s CRC Selection Committee, which is established as per the criteria established by the CRC. The Committee will make a recommendation as to which Applicant to put forward for consideration by the University’s Nomination Selection Committee, consisting of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), the Associate Vice-President (Research), the Vice-President (Research and International), and the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), with the VPRI as chair of this Committee.

Assessment Criteria:

To meet the criteria of the program, nominees must:
• be outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their fields;
• be recognized internationally as leaders in their fields;
• have superior records of attracting and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (taking into account different practices in the relevant field or discipline) and, as chairholders, be expected to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers; and
• be proposing an original, innovative research program of the highest quality.

The selected applicant name, and accompanying documentation will be sent to the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) for final decisions using the Assessment Grid for Tier 1 CRCs at UM.

Timelines:
Oct 2/2025: CRC Proposal due to VPRIO
Oct 21/2025: CRC T1 Nomination submission date

Contact Information:
Please submit application to Janice Tilly, Executive Assistant to the Dean: [email protected] by May 18, 2025.

Required languages: English

Education level: PhD

Required skills: Indigenous Resource/Environmental Research

Closest intersection: 66 Chancellors Cir