Tenure-track faculty position in spatial cognition and interactional model

May 2 to June 7, 2024

Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics
Department of Geomatics Sciences

Located in the heart of Quebec City, itself recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage City, Laval University is a major university known for its culture of excellence in both research and teaching. The Department of Geomatics Sciences (www.scg.ulaval.ca), which is part of the Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics (www.ffgg.ulaval.ca). The Department consists of 16 professors as well as more than 200 undergraduate students and about 65 graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.). The Department currently offers seven university curriculums, with those two at the bachelor’s degree level being the only officially recognized programmes in the province that lead to the professions of land surveyor or geomatics engineer, as certified by the relevant professional corporations.

Research activities in the Department are highly interdisciplinary in nature as well as aligned with the global research initiatives of the University and are organized in relation to the Centre for Research in Geospatial Data and Intelligence (www.crdig.ulaval.ca). The Department is also equipped with a Metrology-GNSS Laboratory that is unique in Canada, offering high-tech equipment for spatial positioning and navigation, as well as for digital modeling of the environment (both urbanized and natural).

The Department of Geomatics Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in spatial cognition and interactional model, which requires advanced knowledge:

• In natural sciences and engineering relating to positioning, navigation, digital modeling systems and mapping of space and the environment;
• In human sciences on the ways in which human beings process spatial concepts (acquisition, structuring, revision of information and spatial knowledge) and interact with their physical, social, and technological environments.

The academic activities inherent to this position will support (but not exclusively) the research programming of the Canada Research Chair in senseable cities for empowered mobilities, which aims to respond to the challenges of developing sustainable smart cities, concerned about the well-being of their citizens, in particular the most vulnerable people (notably those with disabilities and the elderly), through the development of an urban environment promoting better mobility and inclusion.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to carry out innovative teaching and research activities characterized by cross-sectoral collaborations (natural sciences and engineering, human and social sciences, health sciences), leading to the development of geospatial applications better adapted to the specific needs of different categories of people. The candidate must have the ability to establish links between regular research work carried out in geomatics (based on data, geospatial models, dynamic mapping, technologies, and sensors) and the end-users of the resulting applications. This expertise could just as easily be applied to different themes, such as the development of inclusive territories and the mobility of people with disabilities, people exposed to different types of risk and natural hazards (such as floods). In doing so, the person selected for this position will contribute to consolidating the social, human and health usefulness of geomatics (and the research carried out there), by placing human beings and their needs at the center of representation methods of digital living environments (such as the urban environment). Similarly, funding and participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives in collaboration with other areas of expertise present in the Department, the Faculty and the University, which present a strong strategic interest (such as smart cities, climate change, and resilience to hazards) and which meet the growing needs for geospatial data for different needs and in different environments.

The selected candidate will be required to teach at all three academic levels (undergraduate, master, and doctoral studies). He or she will carry out state-of-the-art scientific research in the field of the position offered. The candidate must be keen to interdisciplinary collaborations, both in teaching and in research. That person will also supervise undergraduate and graduate students and is expected to apply for and obtain competitive funding from the appropriate research funding agencies, including the implementation of public and private collaboration projects.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to take part in administrative functions in relation to the Department, the Faculty, and the University. He or she may eventually be called upon to take on teaching tasks outside his/her field of specialty, like those in which the Department is active.

Interested persons must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline. A previous postdoctoral internship in a related field related, or an equivalent practical experience, will also be considered an asset. Applications will be evaluated
according to the candidate's ability to:

• Exercise the four main academic functions: teaching, research and supervision of graduate students, internal participation, external outreach;
• Exhibit leadership in both university-level teaching and research;
• Ability for team and collaborative working;
• Have skills to carry out administrative tasks within the university environment (among other things, participation in various committees and commissions), and to manage research project;
• Demonstrate commitment towards the broader professional and scientific communities (e.g. via publications, conferences, participation in peer evaluation, training initiatives, etc.).

The teaching language at Laval University is French; the selected candidate must be able to teach in French or willing to do what is necessary to become proficient in French according to the Appendix B of the current Collective Agreement. Knowledge and competency in English is also a requirement for the position.

Conditions
These are determined as a function of experience in relation to the current Collective Agreement.

Application deadline: June 7, 2024
Job starting date: September 1, 2024

All interested persons must send the following documents (in PDF format):

• A curriculum vitæ.
• A presentation letter that highlights pertinent experience and explains how the candidate meets the selection criteria (max. 3 pages).
• The names and contact information for three persons who have agreed to provide a reference for the candidate (ie. a letter of recommendation attached to the applicant’s file).
• A list of publications and copies of three representative publications of the candidate's scientific production.
• A letter stating the candidate’s motivations and vision for teaching and research (max. 3 pages).

These documents must be forwarded by email to the following address direction-geomatique@scg.ulaval.ca, to the
attention of:
Francis Roy (Department Head)
Département des sciences géomatiques
Université Laval
Pavillon Louis-Jacques-Casault, bureau 1315
1055, avenue du Séminaire
Québec (Québec), Canada, G1V 0A6

Valuing equity, diversity and excellence, Université Laval is strongly committed to provide an inclusive work and living environment for all its employees. For Université Laval, diversity is a source of wealth, and we encourage qualified individuals of all origins, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.

Université Laval also subscribes to an equal access to employment program for women, members of visible or ethnic minorities, Aboriginal persons and persons with disabilities. Adaptation of the selection tools can be offered to persons with disabilities according to their needs and in complete confidentiality. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to qualified individuals with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.