Today@Dal

Dalhousie University Faculty of Science
Department Chair and Professor, Department of Earth Sciences 

Applications are invited for the position of Chair of the Department of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University. We are looking for an ambitious, talented, (com)passionate and creative leader to direct our active group of junior and mid-career geoscientists as we embark on a period of major faculty renewal. Our goal is to grow in Marine Geoscience while maintaining core capacity in our existing Earth Science programs. 

The department currently comprises 16 faculty and 9 staff members. We offer strong field-based undergraduate programs (20-25 graduates/year) and M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs. Our current research clusters include tectonics, geochronology and thermochronology, surface and Quaternary processes, marine geophysics, water resources and energy. The department is supported by a strong geoscience community, including other environmental science, oceanography, and geoscience departments in the Province, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia Environment and Environment Canada, Geological Survey of Canada-Atlantic, and local industries. We play a strong role in Dalhousie’s Strategic Research Plan, particularly the Priority Research Area #1 regarding Ocean Sciences 

http://www.dal.ca/about-dal/leadership-and-vision/dalforward/strategic-priorities.html

We seek a mid-career or senior-level academic or equivalent, to foster and develop marine geoscience and core earth science programs. The successful candidate will be an Earth Scientist: (i) who currently directs an established research program in geoscience with international impact; (ii) who has proven managerial and leadership abilities; (iii) whose scholarship represents a significant contribution to his or her discipline, and (iv) who has experience in teaching, supporting, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Expertise in marine geoscience and established collaborations and relationships with academic, industry, and/or government organizations will be considered advantageous. 

As the primary link between department and the university administration, the Department Chair will provide strong academic and administrative leadership, including but not limited to: (i) leading development efforts such as departmental reviews, mentorships, curriculum development, alumni outreach, and strategic planning, (ii) communicating the needs of the department to university administration, (iii) maintaining morale and a successful working environment for all members, (iv) ensuring adequate staffing for teaching, technical and administrative responsibilities, adequate space and infrastructural requirements, (v) evaluating faculty, and reviewing all promotion, tenure and hiring decisions, (vi) representing the department locally and nationally to academia, government, industry, and the public; (vii) overseeing the Departmental budget and other administrative matters. 

The successful candidate will be appointed with tenure at the associate or full professor level, commensurate with the candidate’s experience, effective 1 July 2015. Appointment as Department Chair is initially for five-years, renewable subject to Faculty and Departmental review. While teaching responsibilities will be significantly reduced, the chair is expected to contribute actively to both undergraduate and graduate programs and to maintain a strong, funded research program. 

Applicants should provide by email to Ann Bannon (Ann.Bannon@Dal.Ca): (i) a curriculum vitae which includes administrative experiences, and indicates a strong record of publication and funding success, (ii) summaries of teaching, research, and leadership approaches, (iii) complete contact information for at least three referees, and (iv) self-identification of status in Canada (Canadian citizen/permanent resident, or not). 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Dalhousie University is an Employment Equity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, and women. Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2014 and continue until the position has been filled. 

For more information, consult the Department’s website: http://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/earth-sciences.html, or contact 

Ann Bannon
Department of Earth Sciences
Room 3006 LSC
PO Box 15000,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B3H 4R2

tel. (902) 494 2358
fax (902) 494 6889
e-mail: Ann.Bannon@Dal.Ca