Assistant professor - Urban Sustainability

Position

Position title: Assistant Professor

Faculty/Department: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics

Campus: Main Campus

Work location: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, 60 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5

Start date: July 1, 2027

Terms: New Tenure-track position

About the Role

The Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a position in urban sustainability. This tenure-track appointment will be made at the assistant professor level, beginning July 1, 2027. The position will primarily complement and contribute to the Department's expertise in human geography. The Department seeks a scholar whose research and teaching examine urban environmental change, with an emphasis on social, political and/or economic responses to the challenge of building resilient cities.

The Department is particularly interested in candidates whose research examines any of the following:

• The environmental and social implications of contemporary urban form and development;
• Urban governance and political ecology;
• Housing, affordability and climate adaptation;
• Transportation, mobility and urban infrastructure;
• Community & neighbourhood mobilization in response to environmental change and evolving urban landscapes;
• Technological innovations and sustainability transitions;
• Energy systems, built environments and social resilience;
• Approaches to social equity and urban sustainability.

Duties

The functions of a member of the academic staff include, in varying proportions:

a) teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in both French and English;

b) scholarly activities, research and knowledge mobilization;

c) academic service and administration of the department;

d) recruitment and supervision of students.

A commitment to building the discipline and academic unit, including graduate programming, is required. To this end, the successful candidate must establish a rigorous research program that includes grants from major funding agencies such as SSHRC or a clearly defined plan to develop an active research program.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in English and French.

Required Qualifications

• Possess a doctorate (Ph.D.) by July 1, 2027 in Geography or a related discipline;
• Candidates must have excellent communication skills in English or French. English-French bilingualism is an asset. Active knowledge of Canada's two official languages (French and English) is a requirement for tenure;
• Evidence of an established and innovative research program and a record of refereed publications and scholarly conferences;
• An ability to attract external funding;
• Evidence of successful teaching at a post-secondary institution;
• Experience attracting and supervising graduate students is an asset.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $99,377 (according to the scale in effect as of May 1, 2025)

Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides an extensive benefits package, which includes long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, supplementary health benefits, a pension plan, optional life insurance, and reimbursement for relocation expenses.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically through the University of Ottawa Careers application portal. Only complete applications will be considered.

Please submit the following application materials as a single PDF document: cover letter, curriculum vitae, two recent peer reviewed publications, statement of research interests, and an example of a course syllabus.

Following an initial review of applications, selected candidates will be invited to present their research to professors and students, and asked to have three confidential letters of reference submitted directly by the referees.

Deadline: Applications received by October 16, 2026, will receive full consideration but the position will remain open until filled.

Contact Information

Please address questions about this position to Dr. Anders Knudby, Director, Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Ottawa, 60 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5. E-mail: gegdir@uottawa.ca

For more detail about the department, please visit: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/geography-environment-geomatics

About the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading university and the largest bilingual university (French and English) in the world. Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes significantly to the economy, culture, and quality of life in Canada's capital.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at vra.affairesprofessorales@uottawa.ca. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.