Simon Fraser University (SFU) is Canada’s leading comprehensive university. The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) is the largest hospital-based research organization in Western Canada and the 5^th largest in Canada. In collaboration, SFU and the VCHRI seek applicants for The Legacy for Airway Health Chair in Health Communication. This full-time tenure-track opportunity in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU is intended for emerging scholars at the rank of assistant professor (or those who possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at that level). The anticipated start date is September 1, 2025.

The Position

The primary focus of the Chair is research, education, and leadership in health risk communication on vulnerability and susceptibility to airways disease, including asthma and COPD, and its prevention. We seek a colleague to:

• Engage in world-class research and education on this thematic focus, targeting resilience and adaptation to threats to lung health such as vaping/tobacco products, exposures in occupational, environmental and/or residential settings, climate change, infectious agents/pandemics, and mis/disinformation.
• Establish a robust interdisciplinary, multi-method research program in one or more relevant areas including health risk communication, health literacy, and health promotion. Other foci consistent with the overall intent of the position will be considered.
• Educate and equip the next generation of airway health researchers to become future leaders in health risk communication.
• Adopt an integrated knowledge translation lens, rooted in strong collaboration with affected parties, to inform development and implementation of policy and practice on risk decision-making.

The successful applicant will:

• Hold a PhD degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, environmental health, Indigenous health, information/data science, journalism, media studies, and/or health risk communication; or hold an MD degree with graduate-level training in a relevant field.
• Have attained or have the potential to attain national, and ultimately international, recognition as a leader in risk communication for airways health.

The Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Squamish and Musqueam Nations at the SFU Burnaby campus. Created in 2005, the Faculty's mission is to improve the health of individuals and populations and to reduce health inequities through excellence in interdisciplinary research and education, in partnership with local, national and global communities. The Faculty is committed to social justice, respect for human dignity, and equity. The successful candidate will join a diverse and dynamic team of more than 50 multi-disciplinary faculty members and will have the opportunity to engage with and teach outstanding students in the PhD, MSc, MPH, and BA/BSc programs. The Faculty maintains collaborative agreements and partnerships with the BC government, regional health authorities, the First Nations Health Authority, research centres, and other health agencies.

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

VCHRI is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Nations. VCHRI’s mission is to lead and excel in the generation of health knowledge through discovery, education, application and evaluation. The core values of VCHRI are integrity, accountability, collaboration, equity, and community/patient-focus.

Legacy for Airway Health (LAH)

LAH is embedded within VCHRI and its mission is to lead and accelerate the creation and translation of knowledge into world-class prevention of, and care for, persons living with asthma and COPD. LAH is rooted in the philosophy that remediating the huge burden of asthma and COPD requires strategic research to understand and apply evidence-based tactics for prevention and delivery of optimal care for those who suffer from these airway diseases.

Application Process

Please submit a single PDF containing:

• A cover letter.
• A full curriculum vitae that includes details of research and teaching, scholarly record, and funding.
• A brief statement of research plans for the next five years (two page maximum).
• A statement detailing teaching and mentorship interests, experience, and philosophy (one page maximum).
• The names and contact details of three academic references.

This package should be submitted electronically to fhs_recruit@sfu.ca with the subject “Chair in Health Communication.” Please indicate your legal status to work in Canada in your letter of application.

The search committee will review complete applications starting March 17, 2025 until the position is filled. Any general inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to FHS Confidential Secretary, at fhssecy@sfu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This position is subject to approval by the SFU Board of Governors.

SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted their careers. SFU also recognizes the value of mentoring and research training, outreach, professional service, and non-traditional areas of research and/or research outputs; demonstrated experience in increasing diversity in the previous institutional environment, and in curriculum, is also an asset.

Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role at the Assistant Professor rank is $104,700 - $133,322 (dependent on experience).

SFU is an equity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University. SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University, and treat all employees equitably. Candidates who belong to equity-deserving groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

SFU offers several benefits and services aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible campus community for faculty; please see the Faculty Relations, Benefits and Services page for more details. SFU is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require accommodations or have questions about SFU benefits, services, accommodations policies, or equity considerations, please contact the Specialist, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Faculty Relations.

Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details see the Collection Notice on the Academic Careers webpage.

About Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is Canada’s leading comprehensive university.The Faculty of Health Sciences. The Faculty is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Squamish and Musqueam Nations at the SFU Burnaby campus. Created in 2005, The Faculty's mission is to improve the health of individuals and populations and to reduce health inequities through excellence in interdisciplinary research and education, in partnership with local, national and global communities. The Faculty is committed to social justice, respect for human dignity, and equity. The Faculty maintains collaborative agreements and partnerships with the BC government, regional health authorities, the First Nations Health Authority, research centres, and other health agencies.

Connections working at Simon Fraser University