Assistant Professor, Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology

University of Manitoba

Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Assistant Professor, Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology
Position # 35000

The Department of Entomology invites applications for a full-time probationary (tenure-track) position at the Assistant Professor rank, in Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology. The expected start date will be September 1, 2024, or on a date mutually agreed upon. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Department seeks an emerging scholar committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. Exceptional candidates will be considered with the responsibilities and qualifications outlined below:

Responsibilities
The successful applicant will develop a strong, innovative, externally funded research program with a depth of expertise in the basic and applied insect sciences within the field of apiculture that will contribute to a deeper understanding of Honey Bee Biology. Honey bee colony losses and reduced productivity result from multiple stressors involving parasites, pathogens, pesticides, nutrition, and climate change interacting in complex ways to affect the health of honey bee colonies. A combination of expertise is sought in areas such as those related to understanding the basic physiology, behaviour, and population dynamics of bee colonies that could be used to ultimately develop innovative tools and solutions to sustainable management of this species. Specific areas of expertise could include but are not limited to, insect behaviour, physiology, chemical ecology, population management, landscape interactions, parasite and pathogen transmission and impact, pesticides, nutrition, genomics (or other “omic” technologies), digital agriculture, and plant-pollinator interactions.

The applicant will be expected to collaborate with other academics in the Department and Faculty, other scientists, and entomologists at the University of Manitoba and elsewhere. Teaching assignments will balance the expertise of the successful candidate with the needs of the Department and involve teaching introductory and advanced-level courses in entomology in the Department’s programs, supervision and training of graduate students and other highly qualified personnel. Service participation in functions of the Department is required, including involvement in extension activities related to apiculture and engagement with relevant stakeholders (industry and government) in Manitoba and the broader community.

Qualifications
Qualified applicants must possess a Ph.D. (or near completion) in Entomology, or related discipline; a record of research excellence as demonstrated by scholarly publications and other scholarly output; the potential for developing an active externally funded research program in basic and applied entomology; demonstrated ability or potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, and excellent oral and written communication skills. If the PhD. has not been completed by the appointment date, the person may be appointed to a term position at the rank of lecturer until satisfactory completion of their degree, at which time they will begin their appointment as a tenure-track Assistant Professor.

About the Department.
The Department of Entomology (http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/entomology/) is part of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, which is committed to an interdisciplinary systems approach to teaching and research. The Department is a national centre for entomology research with a strength of expertise in landscape ecology and how it affects beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, and native pollinators), insects harmful to crops, animals or livestock, insect diversity and community composition, and the role of arthropods as vectors of pathogens. The Department is home to five full time tenured and tenure track faculty members and one Instructor. Collegiality, as well as cooperative and effective interactions with colleagues, support staff and students, are essential to its effective operation.

Excellent facilities are available in the Department to support this research program, including environmental chambers, a bee flight room, equipment needed to operate up to 250 colonies (honey extraction, wintering building, field equipment), lab and microscopic equipment, including a high-throughput molecular laboratory. Further information about the Department can be obtained from https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/entomology.

Additional Information
The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation support during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

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Applications (in PDF format) including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate statements (2 pages maximum each) of teaching philosophy and research plans that each incorporate EDIA principles and contact information for three references should be sent to the administrative assistant for the search committee: Erika Hart at Erika.Hart@UManitoba.ca.

For further information, contact the search committee Chair, Dr. Rob Currie (Rob.Currie@UManitoba.ca).

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5 June.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provision of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.