Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Observational Physical Oceanography

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Observational Physical Oceanography
Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography

Date available online: 3 May 2022

Closing date: 2 June 2022

The Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University invites applications to the highly prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program with specialization in Observational Physical Oceanography. The CERC 2022 Competition aims to attract world-leading research talent to Canada in order to be at the leading edge of breakthroughs in the science, technology and innovation priority areas identified by the Government of Canada. The allocation to this non-renewable position is $500k/year for 8 years for a total of $4M, with all funds available to the applicant for research activities.

The successful candidate will be an established, internationally recognized leader in observational physical oceanography. They will be expected to create an externally funded research program and provide expertise and leadership in their field. The Chair will be an essential member in an interdisciplinary oceanographic research effort at Memorial University that includes the recently CFI-funded BGC-Argo program; the OFI-funded NWA-Biological Carbon Pump project; a local Carbon Observatory at Holyrood, Conception Bay; and the OFI funded Nunatsiavut Futures which includes many Memorial researchers. The Chair will be a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, which is home to internationally recognized researchers in the areas of ocean and climate modelling, ocean laboratory experimentation, and field oceanography, as well as theoretical, computational, and experimental physics. In addition, the Department has a comprehensive array of oceanographic instrumentation, including autonomous vehicles, along with the technical support needed for their maintenance. Within the broader community of the province, researchers at government labs (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, National Research Council Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada) and with industry (particularly via Canada’s Ocean Supercluster) will provide collaboration opportunities which will aim to enhance Canada’s blue economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Application Instructions

Candidates will submit an application to the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography that includes: a cover letter describing their fit with the CERC Program; a curriculum vitae including details of research and teaching, scholarly output (e.g., high impact publications, as well as any non-traditional research outputs (datasets, software, creative arts), grants, collaborations/partnerships, impact measures (such as influence on policy and practice, and community engagement), personal honours/awards, and leadership experience (5-6 pages); a brief research plan covering the 8-year duration of the CERC position (4-5 pages); a statement on how the applicant’s research program fosters and implements best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion (1-2 pages); and a statement on how the candidate’s research program could develop new links, synergies, and knowledge exchange between academia, government, industry, and Canada’s northern and Indigenous communities in Newfoundland & Labrador (1 page). Candidates selected to a shortlist will be asked to provide the names and contact information of at least three referees and will be interviewed. Finally, one candidate will be selected as the nominee that moves forward with co-developing an application with Memorial University to the CERC Program. Appointment of a candidate to the advertised position is conditional upon the success of the CERC application.

The successful candidate will either currently hold an academic position at the level of Full Professor or Associate Professor eligible for promotion to Full Professor within 2 years or hold a position outside of academia with equivalent qualifications necessary for appointment at these academic levels. The CERC Program places no restrictions on nationality or country of residence of nominees.

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 2 June 2022 to allow for sufficient time to meet the CERC Program deadlines (the final submission deadline is October 13, 2022). Candidates should submit their applications as a single file in PDF format to Dr. Len Zedel, Head, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, A1B 3X5 via this email address: physicssec@mun.ca. Any inquiries about this position, our department, and the broader community as well as CERC applications, may be addressed to the Department Head, physicshead@mun.ca. Please quote the reference number F01770-2022-91 in the application and email subject line.

Our Equity Principles

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The search process will be subject to the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association (MUNFA) Collective Agreement as given by Article 7 Appointment of Faculty Members and Article 30 Employment Equity. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.

As part of Memorial University’s commitment to employment equity, all applicants are invited to identify themselves as a member of a target group(s) as appropriate by completing an employee equity survey; applicants cannot be considered as a member of a target group(s) unless they self-identify. If for some reason you do not receive a survey or have any questions, please contact equity@mun.ca.

In assessing applications, Memorial recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leaves, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment. Memorial’s Workplace Accommodation policy can be found here. If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation in the interview process, please contact equity@mun.ca directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Additional Information about the Department and the University

The Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University currently has externally funded research programs in physical oceanography, laboratory fluid dynamics, numerical modeling and simulations, quantum materials, magnetism, soft and biological materials, statistical mechanics, laser spectroscopy, sensors, and photonics. With 20 faculty members and 15 staff members, and leading-edge teaching and research facilities, the Department offers high quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The existing ocean physics group of six professors has strength in ocean modelling (computer, and quite uniquely, laboratory studies), coastal oceanography, data analytics, ocean acoustics and cryosphere modelling. The successful candidate would strongly complement and enhance our interdisciplinary team and facilitate collaborations with the broader ocean sciences community within Memorial, throughout Atlantic Canada, and beyond.

Memorial University is the largest university in Atlantic Canada. As the province’s only university, Memorial plays an integral role in the educational and cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador. Offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs to over 18,000 students, Memorial University provides a distinctive and stimulating environment for research and learning in St. John’s – a safe, affordable, friendly city with great historic charm, a vibrant cultural life, and easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities.

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.