The McGill School of Environment (MSE) invites applications for the Liber Ero (I will be free) Chair in Environment at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

The Chair holder will have an internationally recognized record of interdisciplinary environmental research that demonstrates ability to integrate approaches of the natural and applied sciences with those of the social sciences and humanities.

He/she will have demonstrated success in attracting external research funding and leading interdisciplinary research teams, teaching at both the postgraduate and undergraduate levels, and engaging with decision-makers regarding environmental issues.

The Liber Ero Chair provides the opportunity for the successful candidate to have a transformative influence on research and education within the MSE and McGill University, and on environmental challenges in Canada and internationally. The Chair holder will have led collaborative research among colleagues from diverse academic disciplines and ideally from the public or private sector as well. The Chair holder will help define and consolidate areas of research emphasis, will foster collaborations within and beyond the MSE, and will serve as an advisor to the MSE Director. We seek a person of broad intellectual scope with a deep understanding of the world’s most pressing environmental problems.

The Chair holder will also have engaged in public policy responses to critical environmental problems within at least one of four MSE Research Themes:

“Health in a Changing Environment” considers the complex set of interactions between human health and the health of other animals and plants that share our earth; targets both urban and rural environments in developed and developing countries; addresses the social, ecological, and built environments; and poses broad questions concerning how humans are altering the health of other species, and how the environment in turn affects human health.

“Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Conservation” concerns the biosphere and the environments with which organisms, populations, and communities interact.  Studies focus on landscape ecology and restoration, species invasions, transfers and extinctions, and how knowledge can best be integrated into institutional systems and mechanisms of governance to ensure protection of the environment.

“Citizens, Communities, Institutions and the Environment” centres on the sustainable use of food, water, energy, and other resources, and on the changing perspectives of the public, decision makers, business leaders and the media concerning the evolving nature of relationships between society, markets, the state, and the environment.  Researchers uncover innovative ways to help citizens, communities, and corporations adopt sustainable practices.

“Rethinking Social-Ecological Relationships” considers the interdependence between human activity and the ecological goods and services provided by nature.  Comprehending these relationships requires an understanding of humans as economic actors within the institutional arrangements that influence their behaviour.  Those undertaking research in this thematic area re-examine the value of equality within the context of the environment, study how our understanding of individuality influences moral principles, and develop alternate models for an integrated economy and biosphere.

We anticipate that this MSE appointment will be at the rank of Full Professor but Associate Professors who fit the profile will also be considered. The Chair holder could be cross-appointed in department(s) in Faculties of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (www.mcgill.ca/macdonald), Arts (www.mcgill.ca/arts), Law (www.mcgill.ca/law) and Science (www.mcgill.ca/science), depending on his/her areas of expertise.

Applicants shall submit:
(1) a letter of intent that clearly articulates their experience with interdisciplinary environmental research that integrates natural/applied science and social science/humanities;
(2) a summary of research interests and proposed research program;
(3) a complete curriculum vitae;
(4) copies of three representative publications;
(5) the names of at least three references by August 1, 2013.

Electronic applications are preferred marilyn.scott@mcgill.ca; copied to shannon.scott@mcgill.ca

Hard copy applications can be mailed to:
Dr. Marilyn E. Scott, Director, McGill School of Environment
McGill University, 3534 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 2A7 Canada