Job Summary

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary is seeking an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture with a specialized focus on Landscape Ecology and Climate Action. This tenure-track role is a “Design-Science Hybrid,” tasked with bridging the gap between natural sciences and the built environment. Whether you are a “Master Practitioner” (Teaching Focused) or a “Scholar-Designer” (Teaching and Research), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program during a period of significant faculty expansion.

Job Details

Employer: University of Calgary, SAPL.
Rank: Assistant Professor (Tenure Track).
Streams: Teaching Focused OR Teaching and Research.
Location: Calgary, AB (Downtown Campus).
Application Deadline: January 21, 2025.

Key Responsibilities: The Ecological Designer

You will be responsible for advancing design solutions that address the environmental and societal challenges of our time, particularly through the lens of the 2024 MLA Strategic Plan.

Studio Leadership: Lead core design studios that integrate climate change-related theories and technical expertise.
Curriculum Development: Teach courses across the MLA, Master of Planning, and the new Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI).
Specialized Areas of Focus:
- Landscape Ecology: Applying ecological principles to restoration and conservation.
- Climate Action: Developing mitigation strategies and climate-responsive design.
- Low Impact Development (LID): Implementing sustainable stormwater management and green infrastructure.
Community Engagement: Participate in outreach through SAPL partnerships and the school’s high-visibility downtown location.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Qualified Architect”: A Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture is required. A PhD is considered an asset.
Professional Standing: Full membership (or eligibility) in the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA).
Teaching Focused Requirements: Requires significant professional experience, peer-review recognition (awards/exhibitions), and an active critical professional practice.
Teaching and Research Requirements: Requires a well-defined research agenda, a record of peer-reviewed publications, and the potential to secure external grants (e.g., Tri-Council funding).

Technical Insights: The Climate-Responsive Framework

In a modern SAPL context, landscape architecture is increasingly defined by its ability to manage water and carbon.

Low Impact Development (LID): You will teach students to move away from “grey” infrastructure toward “blue-green” systems like bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable pavements.
Landscape Ecology: Your work will involve analyzing patch-corridor-matrix models to ensure urban environments support biodiversity and ecological connectivity.
Climate Mitigation: This involves selecting high-sequestration planting palettes and analyzing the life-cycle carbon impact of construction materials used in the landscape.

Diversity and Statistics at UCalgary

The University of Calgary is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and is transparent about its representation goals across the academic community.

Gender Representation (2023 Data): At UCalgary, women represent approximately 41% of full-time academic staff. SAPL actively works to ensure gender parity within the design and planning professions.
Visible Minorities: Approximately 23.5% of the university’s academic staff identify as members of visible minority groups. Given Calgary’s status as a multicultural hub (where 36% of the population identifies as a visible minority), the university prioritizes candidates who bring diverse perspectives to urban design.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): The university acknowledges its location on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy. As a Landscape Architecture professor, you will be expected to engage with Indigenous perspectives on land stewardship and “Ways of Knowing.”
The Confidence Gap: UCalgary cites research that women and racialized minorities are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the qualifications. The search committee explicitly encourages applicants who meet most criteria to apply.

Job Description

Do you believe that landscape architecture is our best tool for fighting climate change? The University of Calgary is seeking an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture. We aren’t just looking for “instructors”; we are looking for the next generation of design leaders who have the “grit” to tackle ecological restoration and the “wit” to teach it in a high-intensity studio environment. If you want to join a school that is moving to a new downtown high-rise to be closer to the community it serves, you belong at SAPL.

In this role, you are a “Resilience Architect.” You understand that the future of city innovation lies at the intersection of natural sciences and design. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Climate Action Education,” ensuring that our MLA graduates are ready to lead the transition to healthy, low-impact communities. We look for “Integrity-first” academics who are collaborative, forward-looking, and ready to contribute to Canada’s most enterprising university.

Joining UCalgary means joining a multi-year hiring wave of 12 new faculty members in one of the world’s most livable cities. We offer a vibrant, transdisciplinary environment where your research or professional practice will have a direct impact on the urban fabric of Calgary. If you are a landscape architect with a commitment to “Ecological Restoration and Design Leadership,” we invite you to apply by January 21, 2025.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.