CRC Climate-Resilient Agroecosystems - UBC, Kelowna

About the role

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus invites applications from outstanding emerging scholars for a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Climate-Resilient Agroecosystems in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council stream. The successful applicant will be a future leader in understanding and management of how plant-based agroecosystems respond and adapt to environmental and biological stresses and their interactions. This full-time appointment will be made at the rank of Assistant Professor on a tenure-track basis within the Department of Biology, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027, or soon thereafter.

The Okanagan region sits at the leading edge of heat and drought impacts in Canada's hottest and driest region, featuring nationally significant tree-fruit, wine-grape, and other high-value perennial crop industries. This research program will connect fundamental biological discovery with regional challenges while advancing national food-security priorities and solutions-focused science.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a nationally and internationally recognized research program.
• Secure external research funding from federal, provincial, and partner-supported sources.
• Lead innovative research on improving the understanding and management of climate-resilient agroecosystems.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff.
• Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, including experiential learning, within the Department of Biology.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across UBC and with external partners.
• Engage in knowledge mobilization activities that translate research findings into policy, practice, technology development, and community impact.
• Contribute to service activities within the Department, Faculty, University, and broader professional community.
• Advance UBC's commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenous engagement.

What you'll bring

• A Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline as a UBC requirement.
• Postdoctoral training or equivalent research experience gained in an academic, government, Indigenous, industry, or other research setting.
• Potential to achieve public and academic recognition for research in climate-resilient agroecosystems, including areas such as genetics, genomics, and crop or variety improvement; plant-microbe and host-pathogen interactions; crop-relevant entomology and insect vectors; plant stress physiology; agroecology and microbiomes; biological control; horticulture; or biologically-grounded precision agriculture, quantitative, and modelling approaches.
• A strong record of scholarly achievement relative to career stage, with clear evidence of research excellence and growing international recognition.
• Potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning, alongside a commitment to graduate student supervision and mentoring.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and creating a welcoming community for historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized groups.
• A strong commitment to Indigenous engagement in alignment with UBC Okanagan's commitments.