Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment
The Faculty of Science is pleased to announce a search for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the area of Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment. The successful candidate will be jointly appointed to the Department of Statistical & Actuarial Sciences and the Department of Earth Sciences (at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (Probationary (tenure-track), or tenured). The rank will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience. Appointment to a faculty position will be conditional on the selected candidate being awarded a Canada Research Chair.
Canada has a crucial need for scientific quantification of financial and insurance risks arising from multiple natural hazards. The area of Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment is a major interdisciplinary theme at Western, and is aligned with the strategic priorities of the Faculty of Science (http://www.uwo.ca/sci/) via the theme of Sustainability and the Environment. The position builds on existing expertise in the two Departments in risk assessment, financial modeling, earthquakes, and wildland fire hazards. The position will strengthen important ties with other groups at Western in the field of natural hazards, including the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR; http://www.iclr.org/home.html), the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX; http://uwo.ca/projects/cpsx/), WindEEE Research Dome (http://www.eng.uwo.ca/windeee/index.html), and Earthquake researchers in the Faculty of Engineering and, since epidemics often follow disasters, public health researchers at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.
We seek a researcher with a broad, systems approach to multi-hazards research and a particular focus on the linkages between hazards. Applicants must have a PhD degree in a quantitative discipline such as actuarial science, applied mathematics, engineering, geology, geophysics, physics, or statistics, an established research record in hazard analysis, and a demonstrated potential for research leadership. The candidate’s research will also demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach linking a scientific understanding of natural hazards with statistical, actuarial, or financial modelling expertise. The successful applicant will be expected to establish and maintain a vigorous, independently-funded research program in natural hazard, and multi-hazard analysis. Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated or potential research interactions with the property & casualty insurance and reinsurance industries.
Applicants must be prepared to supervise graduate students at the MSc and PhD levels, and to develop an innovative approach to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels that links natural hazards and statistical and/or actuarial sciences, including teaching statistics and/or actuarial science courses oriented toward engineers and earth scientists.
The Departments of Earth Sciences, and Statistical & Actuarial Sciences represent a vibrant community of 48 full-time faculty members (24 in each department), 27 support staff, approximately 175 graduate students, and more than 20 postdoctoral fellows, research associates and instructors. The Department of Statistical & Actuarial Sciences has been designated a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries. Further information is available at www.uwo.ca/earth and www.stats.uwo.ca.
In accordance with the regulations set for Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca), Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have less than 10 years of experience as an active researcher in their field at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier II Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process, please contact Research Development at Western for more information. Please consult the Canada Research Chair website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx#s3
With annual research funding exceeding $220 million and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Western is home to about 35,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students and has one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses. General information about the University can be found at http://www.uwo.ca/. The university campus is in London Ontario, a city of 380,000, located midway between Toronto and Detroit. With parks, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is known as the “Forest City”. London boasts an international airport, art galleries, theatre, music and sporting events (see http://www.goodmovelondon.com/ ). Western’s Office of Faculty Recruitment and Retention is available to assist in the transition of the successful applicant and family (http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/).
Review of applications will commence on March 13th, 2017. 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 potential referees, sent to:
Chair of Search Committee (CRC 2 Multi-Hazards Position)
Faculty of Science, Western University
London, Ontario, CANADA N6A 5B7
E-Mail: MultiHazardRisk@uwo.ca
Please ensure that the Application for Full-Time Faculty Position Form (available at http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/faculty/Application-FullTime-Faculty-Position-Form.pdf) is completed and included in your application submission.
Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Marie Schell,519.661.3191, mschell@uwo.ca.
