Faculty Position in Planetary Geoscience
March 12, 2013
The Department of Earth Sciences and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration invite applications for a faculty position in the area of Planetary Geoscience. The appointment will be made at the rank of associate or full professor (probationary [tenure-track], or tenured).
This position builds upon the recent appointments of an NSERC/MDA/CSA Industrial Research Chair in Planetary Geology, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Planetary Science and two Research Chairs, one in Planetary Materials and one in Exoplanet Research.
The applicant will have a record of leadership in Planetary Geoscience research, with preference given to applicants whose research focuses on comparative planetology and/or planetary surface processes. Such processes may include impact cratering, volcanism, glacial and periglacial geomorphology. Research methodologies may include remote or robotic prospecting strategies and techniques (including groundtruthing), geochemistry, geophysics, geomicrobiology, metallogeny, and related fields. We seek applicants whose research experience includes field studies of terrestrial analogue environments and who have a history of involvement in current or future planned planetary exploration missions.
The successful applicant will be expected to establish and maintain a vigorous, independently-funded research program in Planetary Geoscience, to continue to develop Western’s strong links with industry, and to collaborate with other faculty members in one or more of our broad research themes. Successful applicants will supervise graduate students at the MSc and PhD levels, will carry teaching responsibilities in related Earth Science subjects at the undergraduate level, and will develop specialized courses in Planetary Geoscience at the graduate level.
The Department of Earth Sciences is a vibrant community of 24 full-time faculty members, 35 support staff, approximately 100 graduate students and 10 post-doctoral fellows, research associates and instructors. Research in the Department of Earth Sciences is organized into the broad themes of Earth and Planetary Systems; Resource Geoscience; Tectonic Processes and Natural Hazards; and Earth and Climate Evolution. Planetary Science is a major interdisciplinary research theme at The University of Western Ontario, led by the inter-faculty Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration with strong involvement and support from the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Social Science, Arts and Humanities and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Western is host to Canada’s only graduate program in Planetary Science. More information about the Department of Earth Sciences is available at: www.uwo.ca/earth/ and information on the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration may be found at: http://www.cpsx.uwo.ca.
Review of applications will commence May 1st, 2013. A complete application includes a cover letter, a full curriculum vitae, a detailed research plan (2 pages max.), a description of teaching philosophy and preferences (2 pages max.), and complete contact information for at least three referees, sent to:
Dr. R. Gerhard Pratt, Chair, Department of Earth Sciences, eschair@uwo.ca
The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario CANADA N6A 5B7
Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Western Ontario is committed to employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified women and men, including visible minorities, aboriginal people and persons with disabilities.
