Conservation Assistant Jobs in Kitchener, ON (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position in GeoAI at the Assistant Professor level. The anticipated start date for this appointment is January 1, 2027.

We seek an innovative scholar who has teaching and research interests at the intersection of geospatial analysis and artificial intelligence, enhancing our strengths in problem-focused, policy-relevant, and solutions-oriented teaching and learning.

The successful candidate is expected to teach existing undergraduate and graduate courses and develop one or more courses drawing on their expertise, establish an externally funded research program and recruit graduate students. Applicants must hold a PhD in Geography or cognate discipline, or a PhD that demonstrates significant interdisciplinary training including geographic methods, theory and approaches.

Our ideal candidate will:

Have a proven research track record appropriate to their career stage and a demonstrated ability and willingness to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects.

Critically engage with AI and be able to incorporate ethical considerations into teaching and research.

Be committed to excellence in teaching and articulate pedagogical approaches appropriate for different modalities, class formats and student levels.

Diversify or complement existing strengths in the department including but not limited to the following:

• GeoAI for health: e.g., OneHealth, spatial dynamics of mental health, environmental health, or social determinants of health
• GeoAI for justice: e.g., criminology, environmental and racial justice, community safety, or geospatial intelligence
• GeoAI for environment: e.g. natural hazards, natural resource management, environmental conservation, monitoring, climate risk, agriculture, food systems, water resources or geomorphology

The Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics

The Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics is a vibrant department that prides itself on training students to help solve complex environmental problems. We have 17 faculty members and four staff, all of whom are committed to delivering high-impact learning opportunities through four undergraduate majors, two in the Bachelor of Science Environmental Science and two in the Bachelor of Arts programs. Faculty have dynamic and productive research programs, working closely with grad students in our PhD, MA and MSc programs. We are also home to a professional Masters in Conservation Leadership and host the geospatial stream of the Master of Data Science, a Vector Institute accredited program. We strive to be a supportive community, modeling a healthy and accountable workplace by doing our work responsibly and with integrity on and off campus and pride ourselves on having a collaborative, inclusive and welcoming environment that approaches diversity and wellness among our members as key ingredients in our collective success. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are underrepresented or historically marginalized in higher education. Find out more about our department by visiting our webpage: geg.uoguelph.ca. 

The University of Guelph

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

Assessment of applications will begin on May 6, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #2296) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file): 

(1) a cover letter introducing your research program and pedagogical approach;

(2) a curriculum vitae;

(3) the names and contact information of 3 references

Candidates advancing to the next stage will be requested to submit a teaching dossier and research statement, and their references will be contacted at that time.

Applications should be sent to the attention of:

Dr. Robin Roth

Professor and Chair

Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics

University of Guelph

Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Questions about this position and/or application process may be directed to Ryan Laforest, Administrative Assistant to the Chair, at geoadsec@uoguelph.ca

Date Posted: 04/06/2026
Deadline: 06/06/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association(UGFA). 

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to "transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals." The University commits to creating and maintaining "equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact." 

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. 

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant's record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position. 

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University's Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.