Head of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics (EXPIRED)

The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, invites applications for the position of Head of Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science. This administrative Unit is one of eight Units within the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science and has a total of 19 faculty members and 1 staff member. Graduate students have access to a vibrant interdisciplinary graduate program. Undergraduate programs include majors and minors in each of the three disciplines, as well as specialized interdisciplinary programs in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and in International Relations (IR). 

The ideal candidate will be in the early stages of the Full Professor rank, although a senior Associate Professor may also be considered. The Head’s position includes a faculty appointment. We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, leadership and management skills, with proven ability to lead and motivate faculty, staff, and students. Field of research specialization can be related to any area of Economics, Philosophy, or Political Science. Desirable attributes include a strong record of published research and external funding as well as prior experience in academic administration and undergraduate and graduate education. 

The Head will provide administrative, intellectual, and academic leadership of the Unit and will serve on the Faculty’s Leadership Team. The Head is expected to: (i) oversee the overall operation of the Unit, including the budget (ii) ensure that courses are suitably staffed (iii) take an active role in advancing the Unit’s programs and activities through curriculum and program review, (iv) foster collegial interaction among faculty members, (v) mentor members of the Unit, (vi) conduct annual evaluations of each faculty member in the Unit, and (vii) serve as the advocate for Unit members within the Faculty and the University. Direct experience with managing reappointment, tenure and promotion processes and familiarity with budget processes are considered assets. As a faculty member of the Unit, the Head will be expected to maintain an active research program in his/her chosen field, to supervise graduate students, and otherwise contribute to the Unit’s teaching programs. 

The position will be available January 1, 2013 with a five-year renewable term. The Head reports directly to the Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. 

UBC is one of the world's top universities. The university has two distinct campuses, one in Vancouver and one in Kelowna. UBC’s Okanagan campus, located in the city of Kelowna, at the heart of the Okanagan Valley has over 7,000 students in six Faculties, including strong graduate programs at all levels. Kelowna is connected by direct flights to major Canadian and USA cities and the region is considered one of the most desirable regions to live in Canada. 

How to Apply: 
Applicants should provide: A cover letter that clearly identifies all related administrative experience, including a statement of the candidate’s philosophy or approach to leadership; an up-to-date curriculum vitae; statements of a program of research and of teaching interests; evidence of teaching ability; and three letters of reference. All documents must be submitted as e-mail attachments and sent to [email protected]. Preferred formats are Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). Please put the competition title (Head, Unit 8-13) on the subject line of the e-mail and state whether you are currently legally entitled to work in Canada. 

Review of files will begin on August 15, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. 

For more information about the Faculty, see http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/academic/welcome.html  

All appointments are subject to budgetary approval. 

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. Government regulations require that Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.