Job Description

Dr. Chad Walker and his team are now seeking applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in a research program called Advancing Water Stewardship Across Wabanaki. In partnership with the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA) and the Ulnooweg Education Centre (UEC), Dr. Walker is working with a team from Dalhousie\'s Centre for Water Resource Studies (CWRS; including Principal Investigator Dr. Graham Gagnon, and Co-Applicant Dr. Amina Stoddart) to better understand pathways toward co-developed, and sustainable clean water systems in participating First Nations in Atlantic Canada. This project has received support from a Joint NSERC Alliance + Accelerate grant.

The AFNWA\'s Mission

The AFNWA is the first Indigenous owned and operated water utility in Canada. Through its full service de-centralized (hub and spoke) model, the utility exists to transform water and wastewater services delivery to participating First Nations communities. Along with building capacity and promoting growth and prosperity for First Nations communities, the mission is rooted in self-determination and reconciliation.

The AFNWA is owned by the communities it serves and currently has 12 member communities from the following regions:

• Unama\'ki (Cape Breton) \xe2\x80\xa2 Misigeneegatig (New Brunswick East)

• Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) \xe2\x80\xa2 We\'kopekwitk (mainland Nova Scotia East) \xe2\x80\xa2 Wolastokuk (New Brunswick West) \xe2\x80\xa2 Kespukwitk (mainland Nova Scotia West)

Project Goals

The overall goal of this research partnership is to establish a substantive and sustained relationship between the AFNWA, Dalhousie\'s CWRS and the UEC that will facilitate First Nations-led co-generation of innovation and knowledge in drinking water and wastewater treatment, Indigenous water management, and community water stewardship and trustbuilding.

We are seeking an engaged and driven Postdoctoral Fellow who will focus on one of the three research themes, Community Capacity for Water Stewardship. In particular, the successful applicant will work with the AFNWA, UEC, and participating communities to help facilitate community-led research designed to: i) better understand community knowledge and needs related to guiding an Indigenous water utility and ii) build a community engagement and confidence tool.

Note while all those interested are encouraged to apply, we are prioritizing Indigenous applicants for this position. In particular, we are interested in First Nations candidates from Wabanaki (i.e. those territories of the Mi\'kmaq or Wolastoqey).

Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work closely with Dr. Walker, the AFNWA, the UEC, and participating communities to co-manage the project, build relationships, co-design research, collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and write a variety of public-facing and community-facing reports and academic publications. This work will be done with the primary aim to learn from and share knowledge surrounding water stewardship and management through the AFNWA - Canada\'s first Indigenous-owned water utility. Project and Fellowship success will be measured across a range of factors including impact within the communities we work with as well as within academic contexts (i.e. publications in high-impact journals and conferences).
Qualifications/Requirements of Position

You must have completed, or soon will complete, a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study. This may include, but is not limited to: planning, environmental studies, geography, political science, engineering, sociology, or related disciplines. Ideally you will have conducted doctoral research within the area of water quality, Indigenous water management, and/or water stewardship.The ideal candidate should also have several of the following characteristics:

\xe2\x96\xaa Strong interest, experience, and success within community-based research contexts

\xe2\x96\xaa Interest and experience studying and advancing knowledge relating to water quality and intersecting issues of justice and equity

\xe2\x96\xaa Experience and expertise within qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and analysis

\xe2\x96\xaa A strong commitment to upholding pillars of equity, diversity, and inclusion
Salary Range/Pay Rate $61,000 per year
Additional Information

The position will provide a salary of $61,000 per year, plus benefits. Funding will also be made available for travel and conferences. The position will be for two years with the possibility of extension. The preferred start date is September 1st, 2024, though alternative dates, including January 1st, 2025, will be considered. The successful candidate will be located in the School of Planning at Dalhousie University. The School is located in vibrant Kjipuktuk (downtown Halifax), just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.

How to apply

Apply directly here (i.e. through \'JOBS AT DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY\'). The required documents are:

1. Cover letter (two page maximum)

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Sample publications (three maximum)

4. List of three references

Note: The closing date for this position is May 15th, 2024. Reviews will begin on May 16th, 2024.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi\'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit .

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed .

Posting Detail Information

Term of appointment 2 years, anticipated start date of September 1, 2024
Open Date
Close Date 05/15/2024
Open Until Filled No
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents * Cover Letter

• R\xc3\xa9sum\xc3\xa9 / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Sample Publication(s)
• List of referees

Optional Documents

Dalhousie University