Department Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering

Position Description

The Department of Civil Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary invites applications for the position of Department Head. This is a key leadership position within the Schulich School of Engineering. The Department Head appointment is a five-year term, renewable subject to review. The successful candidate will be offered a tenured academic appointment at the Professor level.

The Schulich School of Engineering is searching for an outstanding leader and academic to assume the role of Head of the Department of Civil Engineering. We are seeking a candidate who has achieved excellence in their career and has the potential to be a strong and effective leader for the department. The successful candidate must strengthen the department in the context of the University’s Framework for Growth, the ii' taa'poh'to'p Indigenous Strategy, the Institutional Sustainability Strategy, and the Faculty’s Strategic Plan Schulich Momentum, while interacting with industry, government, and the broader community on a regular and sustained basis to promote the department.

Position Requirements

Candidates must have a strong track record of teaching and research in Civil Engineering or a related field and meet the requirements for appointment at the Professor rank. It is required that the Department Head will have earned a PhD degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline and either is registered as a Professional Engineer in Canada or is eligible to be registered as a Professional Engineer in Canada.

To evaluate qualifications for the position as Department Head, candidates will be considered relative to our Faculty Council’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment and Re-Appointment of Department Heads’ document, which states:

‘The position of department head should be held by someone who has the personal respect of students and colleagues, who is a teacher and scholar, but who is willing to assume for a specific time, special responsibility for the harmonious and effective functioning of the University at the departmental level.

In departments which prepare students for professional careers, such as in the Schulich School of Engineering, the department head should also have earned the regard of non-academic confreres. During the period of appointment, a department head is expected to put the interests of the department ahead of [their] own research interest and the interest of [their] own specialty.’

Candidates will also be considered relative to the following key attributes:

• Leadership:  Demonstrated ability and commitment to lead, guide and work within complex interdisciplinary academic environments.
• Problem-solving:  Demonstrated ability to negotiate to resolve complex, sensitive issues, while considering the interests of all parties.
• Mentorship:  Demonstrated ability to guide and support faculty towards tenure, promotion, and continued scholarly excellence.
• Vision:  Demonstrated ability to define and pursue appropriate new directions and collaborations.
• Integrity:  Demonstrated ability to lead others through effective, unbiased, and transparent decision-making to facilitate trust among all stakeholders consistently and equitably.
• Transparency:  Provide fair, open, and balanced treatment across the Department.
• Communication:  Highly effective at communicating and engaging with all faculty, administrative staff, technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and external stakeholders. A strong facilitator of discussions in the department.
• Scholarship:  Recognize and foster the continued pursuit of scholarly and research excellence within the Department.
• Advocacy:  Effective advocate for the department’s people and resources.
• Connection:  Foster strong internal and external relationships beneficial to the Department and its professional community, locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Inclusivity:  Creates sense of belonging for students, faculty and staff. Promotes Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, indigenous engagement, and a healthy work environment for all members of the department.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application online via the 'Apply Now' link. Please be aware that the application website allows for only four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following (which may require you to merge documents):

• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the name and contact information of three referees
• A maximum three-page statement providing a 3-to-5-year vision for the department with respect to research and educational activities. The statement should also speak to your leadership style and decision-making approach, along with your ideas to support engagement and enablement of faculty and staff, with the goal of building consensus and unity in the department. Within the statement, the key attributes in the Head Position profile above should be addressed.
• Statement of research interests, accomplishments and vision (maximum 2 pages)
• Statement of teaching philosophy (maximum 2 pages)
• Statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (maximum 2 pages)

Applications will be accepted until March 3, 2023.

Questions may be addressed to:

Dr. Anders Nygren

Vice Dean, Schulich School of Engineering

Email: [email protected]

Department of Civil Engineering

The Department of Civil Engineering is active across strategic, transdisciplinary themed areas including sustainability, the environment, resilient and smart cities, connecting remote communities, and targeted Indigenous programming to deliver research and teaching in societal spaces with a need for inclusive innovation and sustainable growth. Thanks to a powerful and well-integrated mix of accomplished (and world-renowned) researchers and emerging leaders working in dynamic research spaces, students have access to both extensive, proven expertise and disruptive innovative thinking.

Schulich School of Engineering

The Schulich School of Engineering, founded in 1965, is home to six engineering departments, nearly 200 faculty members, over 4000 undergraduate students, and more than 2000 graduate students. Guided by its strategic plan Schulich Momentum, the school continues to pursue its vision of recognition for enhancing its global research impact and driving innovation, for expanding access to and inclusivity in engineering, for contributions towards Truth and Reconciliation, and for enriching student success and experience.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Schulich School of Engineering.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary
 
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
 
About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.