Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Social Inequalities and Pathways to Wellbeing for Marginalized Populations (Internal)

The Department of Health Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University (Laurier) invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track stream Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Social Inequalities and Pathways to Wellbeing for Marginalized Populations. Applicants must be tenure-track or tenured faculty members currently employed by Laurier. The Canada Research Chairs Program is a key component of a strategy to make Canada one of thehea world’s top countries in research and development (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca).

The CRC will hold their academic appointment in the Department of Health Sciences, part of the Faculty of Science, with leading researchers and a commitment to building collaborative interdisciplinary research partnerships to address diverse and complex health issues. The department offers an undergraduate degree (Honours BSc, Health Sciences), is multidisciplinary in scope, and offers a broad range of courses that apply rigourous research methods and theories to the study of health issues; we offer students a unique ‘cell to society’ approach to understanding the complexity of human health, social inequalities and pathways to wellbeing. The Department of Health Sciences values collegiality, a collaborative approach to faculty interaction, and a supportive work environment.

Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) are intended for exceptional emerging researchers; candidates typically must be within 10 years of obtaining their PhD. However, it is recognized that career breaks due to personal leaves can have legitimate impacts on an applicant’s record of research achievements. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and have had career breaks due to maternity, parental or extended sick leaves, family care or other similar reasons may still be eligible and are encouraged to apply. Eligibility can be assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please consult the CRC website for details about eligibility or contact Charity Parr-Vasquez (cparrvasquez@wlu.ca), Assistant Vice-President, Research,for more information.

The CRC will provide leadership and expertise in the field of social inequalities and pathways to wellness for marginalized populations.  A research focus on key marginalized populations (e.g., those who are racialized, newcomers, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, living with disabilities, homeless, etc.) is required. The successful applicant will build capacity and add new areas of expertise to the strategic areas of Laurier’s Strategic Research Plan 2020 – 2025. The CRC will have a track record of scholary work in social inequalities and pathways to wellbeing for marginalized populations. Research acheivements to date will include success in obtaining Tri-Agency (and other) funding, a strong track record in peer-reviewed publishing, and evidence of impact of your research, community engagement, and innovation in knowledge translation.   

The CRC will be expected to secure external funding, including Tri-Agency grants, and to contribute to the training and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students through their research program. The candidate is also expected to have demonstrated teaching proficiency and to make contributions to undergraduate teaching in the Department of Health Sciences. You will contribute to supervision and mentoring of our undergraduate students, and will participate in the service activities of the Department of Health Sciences.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair and will be appointed as a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the Department of Health Sciences, conditional on CRC application approval.

Qualifications
To be considered, applicants must have a PhD in a health or well-being related discipline (e.g., global health, epidemiology, public health, community health, health research methods), be within ten years of your PhD, and must currently hold an Assistant or Associate Professor position at Laurier. To be considererd, applicants must have a research focus on key marginalized populations (e.g., those who are racialized, newcomers, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, living with disabilities, homeless, etc.), and have a track record of scholary work in social inequalities and pathways to wellbeing for marginalized populations. Research acheivements to date will include success in obtaining Tri-Agency (and other) funding, a strong track record in peer-reviewed publishing, and evidence of impact of your research, community engagement, and innovation in knowledge translation.  

How to Apply
Applicants should submit:

1) a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the position,

2) a curriculum vitae,

3) a research statement,

4) a two-page teaching statement outlining teaching philosophy, experience and interests, including proposed courses you could teach in the Department of Health Sciences,

5) PDF copies of three scholarly publications that demonstrate contributions to the field, and

6) the contact information of three academic referees willing to provide a letter of reference.

Application packages should be submitted electronically to:

Dr. Robb Travers, Chair, Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University (c/o lbennett@wlu.ca.)

Applications will be accepted until May 25th, 2021, 11:59 pm.

The anticipated start date of the Chair is July 1, 2022 subject to the submission of a peer-reviewed application for the CRC in October 2021 and final approval of the CRC by the Secretariat in April 2022.   

The impact of leaves (e.g. parental leave, extended leaves due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing candidates’ eligibility and record of research achievement. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their cover letter how career interruptions may have impacted them. Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates We welcome applications from qualified individuals of the equity-seeking groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity seeking groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.
 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship(s); however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:
 

I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada
 

In keeping with Laurier’s best practices in recruitment and in accordance with the Canada Research Chairs Requirements for Recruitment Guidelines, applicants are encouraged to complete the applicant equity survey. For more information on Laurier’s CRC equity, diversity and inclusion commitments, please visit the Laurier’s CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
 

Laurier strives to make our application process accessible and provides accommodations for both applicants and employees as outlined in Policy 8.7. If you require assistance applying for this position, would like this job posting in an alternative format, or would like to discuss accessibility and accommodations during the recruitment process please contact Laurier’s Equity and Accessibility Officer at accessibility@wlu.ca.
 

The Faculty of Science wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All applications shall be reviewed and considered under the criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-Apply-/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.