Canada Research Chair Tier II in Indigenous Health (CRC- IH) - Assistant Professor / Associate Professor

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) invites applications for a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health (CRC—IH). This tenure/tenure-track position is at the rank of assistant or associate professor and is a unique opportunity for an exceptional emerging health scholar with an active and impactful research program.

The Government of Canada’s CRC program supports universities in sustaining leading-edge research excellence. This Chair position enables the successful candidate to focus on research and scholarship within a dynamic, interprofessional academic environment.

The Chair will lead and co-develop research to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples, including the Secwépemc Nation. This work will address the social, economic, and cultural determinants of health, integrate Indigenous holistic practices, and build evidence to support the decolonization of health systems. It will also deepen understanding of Secwépemc and other Indigenous Peoples’ experiences in healthcare. The Chair is expected to foster trust-based, collaborative relationships with local First Nation and other Indigenous communities, ensuring research reflects community needs and perspectives.

The CRC-IH will elevate TRU’s role in Secwépemc/Indigenous health research at regional and national levels, aligning with critical local, Secwépemc, provincial, and national Indigenous priorities. The Chair will exemplify the University’s strategic priorities to engage in community-responsive and socially impactful research. Focus areas include cultural safety, health inequities, and health policy development that aligns with Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action; Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) principles of data collection; and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Chair will mobilize knowledge by collaborating with health agencies, the Secwépemc Nation and other Indigenous communities, researchers, academics, and policymakers to develop strategies and best practices for Indigenous health.

The Chair’s research will contribute to the CRC program's goals and align with the TRU and School of Nursing Strategic Research Plans by advancing a community-driven, socially impactful research program focused on TRU research priorities, including community and cultural engagement, technological optimization, and sustainability. The Chair’s cutting-edge research will reflect the needs of rural, remote, and vulnerable populations and will emphasize networks, partnerships with the Secwépemc nation and others, and collaborations that extend the program’s reach and impact. Additionally, the Chair will enhance relations with faculty and partners within and outside TRU and will present a clear and effective plan for training highly qualified personnel (graduate and undergraduate). TRU’s strong focus on expanding graduate programs in key areas aligned with the Academic and Strategic Research Plans, particularly the School of Nursing’s Master of Nursing (MN) and MN Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs, will enable the Chair to build a robust team of highly qualified personnel.

The Chair will actively pursue knowledge dissemination through innovative strategies designed to reach diverse audiences. These strategies may include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, policy briefs, reports, and technological and social media platforms. The CRC-IH will have a track record of securing external funding, demonstrate strong competence in grant writing, secure future funding from Tri-Agency sources, private industry, and public and government sources, and have a proven track record of working/research in Indigenous communities.

The Chair will play an integral role in enriching and supporting TRU's research reputation. They will have an excellent opportunity to collaborate with other Chairs at TRU, including five CRCs, three regional research chairs and other interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers across the University.

About Thompson Rivers University

TRU has been a leader in higher education for over five decades, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. As a dynamic and rapidly growing institution, TRU is dedicated to research excellence, knowledge mobilization, and community engagement. As a member of the Research Universities’ Council of BC (https://rucbc.ca/?page_id=457), it stands among BC's six research-intensive universities. Over the past decade, TRU has seen remarkable research capacity, funding, and graduate programming growth, earning a place among Canada's top 50 research universities in 2023. TRU’s strategic focus is on developing world-class research teams and supporting them with state-of-the-art research equipment including federally funded labs such as TRU-Gen: Applied Genomics Lab, Wildlab: Wildfire and Landscape Dynamics Lab, Brain and Behaviour Lab, Precision Management of Rangeland Systems for a Sustainable Future (Geox Lab), Multidisciplinary Microanalysis and Micro-imaging Lab, Children and the Law Lab, and Rural Livelihood and Sustainable Communities Lab, etc. Supported by the Province of BC, TRU’s Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency, and TRU Wildfire offer a solutions-focused and comprehensive approach to current and future wildfire challenges, bringing together and linking research, education, training, and innovation under one umbrella.

TRU is also a member of the Interior Universities Research Coalition (IURC), which was formed with two regional universities (the University of Northern British Columbia and the University of BC, Okanagan). The coalition aims to strengthen research ecosystems across the Interior through shared resources, faculty and student mobility, and community partnerships. As supported by BC’s Ministry of Health, the IURC continues to enhance regional collaboration and innovation.

TRU is committed to facilitating student access to a research-informed university education that provides a range of opportunities for learners and faculty to reach and exceed their potential. TRU offers many learning pathways for regional, national, and international learners. Research, creation and innovation are integrated into teaching and learning in over 200 programs.

Thompson Rivers University's spectacular main campus is in the heart of Kamloops, British Columbia, a small city of over 100,000 in BC's sunny interior. Here, we enjoy four seasons of outdoor adventures, a rich cultural scene, and a vibrant, diverse campus community.

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the ancestral lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. Our region also extends into the territories of the members of the Secwépemc Nation.

We are committed to respecting these lands and the ongoing relationships with Secwépemc /Indigenous peoples in our academic and community endeavors. TRU supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through the Coyote Project, a roadmap to achieving the TRC's Calls to Action. Furthermore, research conducted within Tk̓emlupsemcúlecw is guided not only by university ethics processes, but also by Secwépemc protocols and ethical responsibilities, which are outlined within the Secwépemc Nation Research Ethics Guidelines ( https://Secwépemc Nation Research Ethics Guidelines.tru.ca/indigenous/indigenous-education-team/secwepemc-nation-research-guidelines.html).

About the School of Nursing

The CRC-IH appointment will be located in the School of Nursing and/or another TRU Faculty, depending on the candidate's and program of research's suitability. As a flagship department at TRU, SON prepares knowledgeable, competent graduates who are ready to deliver high-quality, safe care to the public and understand Secwépemc/Indigenous ways of knowing. Faculty members engaged in Indigenous nursing research, innovation, and education continue to seek ways to improve the quality of Indigenous healthcare across Canada. Additionally, SON has received international recognition for its authentic and genuine response to the TRC Report (2015) and its efforts to embed Secwépemc/Indigenous ways of knowing across the curriculum.

Equity Statement

Through official policy and plans (TRU Policy ADM 04-1 (https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/EmploymentEquity5580.pdf) and TRU’s CRC Equity Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/EDI_Action_Plan49174.pdf)), TRU is firmly committed to the principles of employment equity, employing people without regard to ancestry, including colour and perceived race; nationality or national origin, religion or creed or religious belief, religious association or activity; age; sex, including pregnancy; gender identity, sexual orientation, political belief, physical or mental disability, or social disadvantage. While remaining alert and sensitive to the issue of fair and equitable treatment for all, TRU has a special concern with the participation and advancement of members from designated groups identified by the CRC program as having been previously disadvantaged in employment: women, racialized communities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, LGBTQ2S and persons with disabilities. We believe that ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Canada Research Chairs Program and the research enterprise will create an innovative and impactful research environment that seizes opportunities and addresses global challenges.

TRU encourages applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and its scholarship, including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, members of Indigenous first nations and permanent residents be given priority.

The search, interview, and selection process will be informed by the CRC program’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity-equite/action_plan-plan_action-eng.aspx) and Creating an Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Research Environment: A Best Practices Guide for Recruitment, Hiring and Retention (https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/equity- equite/best_practices-pratiques_examplaires-eng.aspx).

If candidates require accommodation support during the search process, please contact TRU People and Culture: TotalRewards@tru.ca (mailto:TotalRewards@tru.ca).

The CRC Program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants in accordance with the program's best practices. This data is important to the University's ability to ensure that researchers from diverse groups can benefit from participation in the program. All applicants for this CRC opportunity must complete TRU's Diversity and Inclusion survey.

The successful candidate must have:

• A Ph.D. (in accordance with TRU’s faculty hiring requirements) related to Indigenous health or a relevant discipline, awarded within the past 10 years.
• A proven track record in research related to Indigenous health consistent with the expectations of a successful CRC application.
• Experience with the development of a successful independent research program.
• Demonstrated current and future potential for excellence in teaching, training, and mentoring students.
• Demonstrated current and future potential to secure significant external funding.
• A proven track record of working with Indigenous communities.
• A commitment to including and accepting Secwépemc/indigenous knowledge.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• The requisites to qualify for the Canada Research Chair program.

The Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat awards Chairs after a rigorous evaluation. If the successful candidate satisfies the specific eligibility conditions of the program, the university may support the candidate for nomination to a Tier II CRC, which provides significant protected time for research within a full-time academic appointment. The final appointment will be conditional on a successful nomination. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applicants must be emerging world-class scholars who have demonstrated research creativity, have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five or ten years, and, as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students, and future researchers, with special consideration for the Secwépemc nation.

Applicants who are more than 10 years past earning their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) will have their eligibility for a Tier II Chair assessed through the program's Tier II justification process. Please contact the Office of the Vice President Research at vpr@tru.ca for more information.

TRU acknowledges the potential impact of career interruptions and personal circumstances on an applicant’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain the impact of any such interruption in their submission. Measures, including equity training on recognizing and addressing unconscious, implicit, overt, and other forms of bias, are in place to ensure these interruptions are carefully considered during the evaluation process.

The Canada Research Chairs website also provides full information: https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination—mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx.

Application

Application materials should include:

• A cover letter with an overview of the candidate's credentials, qualifications, and research strengths, including an explanation of how they satisfy the CRC nomination criteria, and a paragraph on Indigenous lead research providing evidence of community involvement (please indicate in your cover letter if you are a member of an equity-seeking group and if you are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident).
• A detailed curriculum vitae.
• A three-page outline of the applicant's proposed five-year research program.
• A one-page summary of the applicant's three most significant research contributions.
• A teaching/mentoring statement that documents the applicant’s experience in and approach to training and mentoring diverse students and includes the applicant’s teaching/mentoring philosophy.
• A one-page statement identifying strengths and experiences in promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and how they uphold the principles of Indigenous cultural safety, humility, and anti-racism.
• A one-page summary outlining specific evidence of work/research with Indigenous Communities and how the applicant has listened and responded to community priorities, and changed or adapted your research plans based on community guidance.
• Names and contact information for three referees.

Potential applicants who have questions about the position are encouraged to contact one of the individuals below for more information:

• Acting Dean, School of Nursing, Tracy Christianson at tchristianson@tru.ca
• The Office of the Vice President Research at vpr@tru.ca

Please submit your application through TRU’s careers portal, www.tru.ca/careers (http://www.tru.ca/careers)

The search and hiring of this position are governed by LOU#3 in the TRU-TRUFA Collective Agreement

(https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/trufacaapril12019tomarch31202245030.pdf

NOTE: To learn more about Thompson Rivers University or living in Kamloops or Williams Lake please visit our Careers website. External Candidates invited to interview will be required to bring a copy of their transcripts to the interview.