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Dean of the Faculty of Science

Employer
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia (CA)
Closing date
20 Nov 2021

Simon Fraser University – Dean of the Faculty of Science

Simon Fraser University (SFU) respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose traditional territories our three campuses reside.

For 13 of the last 14 years SFU has been ranked first by the Maclean’s University Ranking Guide as Canada's leading comprehensive university and it is currently ranked 13th in Canada by the QS World University Ranking. With unique campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, SFU has deep roots in partner communities throughout the Province of British Columbia and around the world. SFU is also the only Canadian university with sports teams competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

SFU is Canada’s leading engaged university because of its cutting-edge research, innovative education, and community outreach and teaching. In line with these institutional goals, SFU’s Faculty of Science now seeks to appoint its next Dean. Building on a strong foundation of fundamental research, the Faculty of Science at SFU is a national and international leader committed to creating and disseminating knowledge and harnessing new ideas and innovations for the benefit of society. With over 300 faculty (including 17 Canada Research Chairs), 5,000 students, and more than 130 staff, our community engages a wide range of topics across its eight distinct departments:  Biological Sciences, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Physics, and Statistics and Actuarial Science. With world class research facilities and partnerships with an array of research centres and institutions within SFU and in the broader community, the Faculty of Science is committed to basic and applied research, to knowledge translation and commercialization. The Faculty is also proud of its work introducing educational innovations to both undergraduate and graduate programs and to its commitment to outreach programs.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of the Faculty of Science will serve as a member of SFU’s senior administration with shared responsibility for the overall strategic leadership and management of the institution. The Dean will encourage interdisciplinarity and support academic excellence, and champion efforts to advance the research mission of the Faculty. They will also continue to enhance the student experience and strengthen the Faculty’s community engagement through the attraction and support of world-class faculty members, innovative programming, and mentorship.

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in a field represented in the Faculty and be eligible for appointment at the rank of full professor. The ideal candidate will possess an excellent record of research, innovative teaching, and a proven track-record of achievement in academic leadership roles. Committed to a collegial and collaborative leadership approaches, the Dean will ensure the delivery of research and facilities support, and continued  growth of program excellence for students through teaching and innovative extracurricular opportunities. They will be a visible leader who is deeply involved in the life of the Faculty both internally and externally, recognizing the need for a strong and interdependent relationship between Departments, Faculty and the dean’s office. As the senior leader for the academic unit, the Dean will also need the passion and communication skills to enhance the reputation and to advance the academic mission of the Faculty and the University both nationally and internationally. They will be an effective communicator committed to transparency.

SFU’s commitments to reconciliation are evidenced throughout the many projects and initiatives underway across the university. This includes a new Indigenous leadership position, construction of a First Peoples’ Gathering House, expansion of the Indigenous Student Centre as well as reconciliation-focused academic and professional development offerings. The successful candidate must therefore be committed to reconciliation and Indigenization and ensure these principles are advanced throughout the Faculty.

We believe in a renewed and reinvigorated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and anti-racism. It is our unique responsibility to create a culture where EDI is not merely an initiative or plan, but a promise we make to ourselves, to each other and to everyone we meet. Our goal is to ensure our campuses are welcoming places for everyone to gather and learn and that all who work or study here feel a sense of belonging, inclusion, fairness and mutual respect. We are working to create the conditions that foster a culture of inclusion and a healthy campus environment. The successful candidate will have a track record of advancing EDI initiatives and will ensure EDI is embedded in research, community outreach, and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate level in the Faculty.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Simon Fraser University’s search partner Perrett Laver. Perrett Laver will support the University in helping to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assisting in the assessment of candidates against the selection criteria.

Applications should consist of a curriculum vitae and cover letter describing briefly how candidates meet the selection criteria, why the appointment is of interest, and what they believe they bring to the role. Further information, including a full position description and selection criteria can be found at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting the reference number 5325. Applications can be submitted at the same link. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon Pacific Time on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.  

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Simon Fraser University is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity reflected among its students, faculty, staff, and our community. SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, specifically Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably. Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. 

SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g.  parental leave, leave due to illness) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted them in their application. SFU also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, and diverse forms of scholarship and/or research outputs. Demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.

SFU is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require accommodations or have questions about SFU benefits, services, accommodations policies, or equity considerations please contact the Specialist, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Faculty Relations.

Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details, see the http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/faculty_openings/collection_notice.html.

Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.

Our legal basis for much of our data processing activity is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website http://www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy-policy/

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