Overview

Ideally situated on Mid-Vancouver Island with spectacular views of the coastal mountains, Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with approximately 15,000 students across four campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections and international collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training.

VIU invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the area of Community-based Kinesiology and Physical Literacy. Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are exceptional, emerging researchers acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to demonstrate world-class leadership. VIU’s Sport, Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Program offers a Bachelor of Arts, Minor/Major degree in Physical Education. The department is searching for a dynamic faculty member early in their career who has demonstrated research and leadership in the area of community-based kinesiology, physical literacy, health and wellness. Additionally, the candidate should be committed to teaching excellence with a strong interest in student engagement and success. Collegiality, flexibility, and enthusiasm/passion for the art and science of movement are important characteristics outlined in the SHAPE Vision.

The CRC will have 75% of their position dedicated to research and 25% towards teaching (equivalent to two courses annually). The teaching responsibilities will be determined based on the disciplinary and teaching background of the candidate. The CRC will become a faculty member in the Faculty of Education. Canada Research Chairs are tenable for five years and renewable once, after which time, the CRC will become a full-time faculty member. The CRC will be provided with an operating grant for their research program and may apply for Canada Foundation for Innovation funding.

VIU’s academic requirements include course delivery, research supervision and institutional service. Duties, responsibilities and expectations of the position will include, but not be limited to:

• ·       Demonstrated commitment to knowledge translation with the objective of empowering/enabling the affective, physical, cognitive and behavourial aspects of physical literacy;
• ·       Demonstrated leadership skills, collaborative research, research network development, community consultation and involvement in the areas of community-based kinesiology, physical literacy, health and wellness;
• ·       Demonstrated research excellence with a strong track record of peer reviewed publications and external research funding;
• ·       Demonstrated research ability with a potential for developing new areas of collaborative research;
• ·       In addition to the research program, the Chair will participate in the academic programs including the teaching of undergraduate or graduate courses and other educational and scholarly activity;
• ·       Provide leadership for research and scholarly activity within the Faculty of Education;
• ·       Supervise and mentor graduate students in research activities for the Faculty of Education, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management, and/or the Master of Community Planning.

Opportunities for Collaboration:

Faculty within the SHAPE department are uniquely positioned to engage in collaborative research and learning across the campus and broader community. Depending on the area of the candidate’s research focus, opportunities to collaborate exist with many stakeholders within the university and broader community. Building upon the established relationships with the Faculty of Education, Child and Youth Care program, the Recreation and Tourism program, the Faculty of Health and Human Services and with physical literacy advocates in the community such as Pacific Sport Vancouver Island, and the Mid-Island Aboriginal Recreation and Culture (ARC) program, the foundations of a broad, interdisciplinary research program exist. The selected candidate would be expected to foster and develop new partnerships in the areas of community-based kinesiology, physical literacy, health and wellness 

The Canada Research Chairs program expects Tier 2 nominees to be within 10 years of having received a Ph.D. (or the highest degree in their discipline); be excellent emerging researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality; and, as a chairholder, have the potential to attract excellent students and future researchers as well as research funding.

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), may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through CRC's Tier 2 Justification Process. Please contact research@viu.ca for more information. VIU recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves can have on a candidate's record of research achievement and will take leaves into careful consideration during the assessment process.

In addition to the CRC requirements, VIU is looking for demonstrated leadership skills in developing solid working relationships with communities locally, regionally, and provincially; research activities using innovative programs and research methods; research network development; demonstrated commitment to knowledge mobilization; demonstrated research ability with a potential for developing new areas of collaborative research; and experience in teaching and supervising students.

• ·       Curriculum Vitae.
• ·       Cover letter with a statement of the applicant's research highlights, an educational philosophy relating to the position, and the applicant's expected contribution to the University, Faculty and Department.
• ·       A two-page concept paper describing an innovative research plan. The concept paper must include: Project summary (250 words), Context, Methodology, Engagement with research users and communication of results, and HQP training plan. Please include literature cited (not included in two-page limit).
• ·       Name and contact information for three people willing to provide a reference.  

View the full position profile and submit your application online by March 27, 2019.

Appointment subject to approval through the Canada Research Chair Secretariat, start date on or after May 4, 2020. For the complete nomination process and CRC eligibility requirements, applicants should review the CRC Website.

This institution is an advocate for equity and is committed to ensuring representation in its community. We welcome applications from members of visible minorities, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The institution seeks to maintain its commitment to excellence and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its employees supports this objective.

Vancouver Island University is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. We want to ensure that all parti