Physical Geography Lectureship

Date posted: 30 January 2023

The SFU Department of Geography invites applications for a Lectureship in Physical Geography. This is a one-year limited-term teaching (non-research) appointment, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.

We seek a candidate who will teach five differing physical geography undergraduate courses, with two of the courses taught twice (i.e. an overall total of seven course offerings), one of the courses being a field school and one of the courses being hybrid (science and social science). Specific qualifications for teaching each of GEOG 111 - Earth Systems, GEOG 213 - Introduction to Geomorphology, GEOG 310 - Physical Geography Field School, GEOG 312 - Geography of Natural Hazards, and GEOG 412W - Glacial Processes & Environments are appended at the end of this document. GEOG 213 and 312 will each be taught twice.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, or the clear promise of excellence, and will teach the courses as face-to-face course offerings. Preference will be given to candidates who can successfully teach students with a combination of science, social science, and humanities backgrounds. We seek candidates who will contribute positively and constructively to the department work environment and will participate in collegial governance and community building.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is an equity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university. All positions are subject to availability of funding and approval by the SFU Board of Governors.

Applicants must have completed or be near to completion of a Ph.D. in Geography or a related discipline at the time of appointment. Applications should consist of a single .pdf file containing a one-page cover letter explaining their interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, and a teaching portfolio (including a two-page executive summary of teaching experience, strategy and philosophy, and a sample course syllabus). Applications should be submitted by webform at http://www.sfu.ca/geography/about/work-with-us/pg-lecturer/application-form.html. Applicants must also arrange for three letters of reference. References should be submitted by webform at https://www.sfu.ca/geography/about/work-with-us/pg-lecturer/reference-file-upload.html

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Tiina Klasen at geogsec@sfu.ca.

The deadline for applications is 19 February 2023.

Search Committee chair: Professor Lance Lesack, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC, V5A 1S6. Letters of reference should be submitted electronically as per instructed above.

Simon Fraser University is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details, see the Collection Notice.

TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS FOR COURSES TAUGHT DURING THIS LECTURESHIP:

GEOG 111 Earth Systems

Applicants - should have a graduate degree; preferably a PhD and relevant demonstrated ability to engage students from a range of science and social science backgrounds

Qualifications - include knowledge of the basic function and interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, and ability to communicate processes at work within and between these systems. Candidates should be comfortable with a range of instructional methods to engage with and equip students with the tools to understand Earth Systems.

GEOG 213 Introduction to Geomorphology

Applicants - should have a graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in geography or related discipline and relevant demonstrated ability to teach in the classroom, lab and field settings to students with a wide range of backgrounds in science and social science.

Qualifications - include the ability to provide students with an appreciation of how the landscape around them formed and its continued evolution, with particular focus on landscapes of British Columbia, western North America and Canada. Commitment to incorporate qualitative and quantitative approaches and deductive reasoning.

This course has both: 

Quantitative (https://www.sfu.ca/ugcr/for_faculty/wqb_criteria_and_definitions/quantitative.html) and 

Breadth Science (https://www.sfu.ca/ugcr/for_faculty/wqb_criteria_and_definitions/breadth.html) designations; course content must fulfill these requirements.

GEOG 310 Physical Geography Field School

Applicants - should have a graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in geography or related discipline and relevant demonstrated ability to engage students inside the classroom and in field settings. They should have a breadth of understanding on student support in the learning process including how to address potential safety risks and student mental health and well being.

Qualifications - include the ability to connect their knowledge of the basic function and interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, to modern quantitative and qualitative field techniques and processes. At a minimum they should be able to teach skills in location and direction finding, field-based mapping, sampling, landscape interpretation and coherent field reporting. Candidates should demonstrate the practical ability to design and guide assessments that are both strongly linked to educational goals and suited to the specific timing, location, and physical ability constraints expected in an off-campus field school held in early spring in southwestern British Columbia. Instructors must have a valid class 5 drivers license. Current first-aid certification is an asset.

GEOG 312 – Geography of Natural Hazards

Applicants - should have a graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in geography or related discipline, and demonstrated expertise in natural hazards from both natural science and social science perspectives. Applicants for this physical geography course should also have relevant, demonstrated ability to teach in face-to-face classroom and tutorial settings to students with a wide range of academic backgrounds in science and social science.

Qualifications - include a background in the geophysical mechanisms for natural hazards and an understanding of how society engages with risk, vulnerability, and resiliency. Applicants should have a solid grasp of statistical probability and be prepared to lead students in critical discussion about how societies cope with and prepare for natural hazards in the face of dynamic environmental change.

GEOG 412W - Glacial Processes & Environments

Applicants - should have a graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in physical geography or related discipline, and demonstrated expertise in glacial geomorphology with the ability to reference the connections between cutting-edge research in glacial geomorphology and dynamic changes in the cryosphere. Applicants should be comfortable teaching in both the classroom and field environment and be willing to support detailed feedback on assignments in this writing intensive course. The course includes instructor-organized three-day and one-day field trips to explore glacial geomorphology in British Columbia.

Qualifications - include proficiency in the tools and techniques applied in glacial geomorphology (stratigraphy, sedimentology, fabric analysis, geophysics, geochronological methods).

This course has a Writing designation (https://www.sfu.ca/ugcr/for_faculty/wqb_criteria_and_definitions/writing.html); course content must fulfill this requirement.