Assistant Professor - Urban Environmental Remote Sensing

Date Posted: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 01/11/2027, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 48727
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Department of Geography & Planning
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure-stream position in the area of Urban Environmental Remote Sensing. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Geography, Geomatics, Environmental Science, or a related field by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. Specific areas of specialization may include (but are not limited to) applications of satellite, aerial, or drone-based remote sensing to urban climate adaptation and resilience, urbanization and associated land-use and land-cover change, assessment of urban air and water quality and policy responses, analysis of urban hydrological systems and associated policy and management strategies, evaluating patterns of urban heat stress and environmental (in)justice, urban conservation and land-use management approaches, and/or urban health and well-being. Analytical interest can involve several scales including local/neighbourhood and regional scales. Candidates working at the intersection of remote sensing methods and applied, policy-relevant urban or environmental geography are especially encouraged to apply.

We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests relate to the use of remote sensing and/or geographic data science methods to address pressing questions in urban and environmental change and who complement departmental strengths in Urban Geography and Planning, Environmental Geography, Health Geography, Economic Geography, and Geographic Data Science.

Candidates must provide evidence of excellence in research, which can be demonstrated through: high quality scholarly publications in peer-reviewed, top-ranked, and field relevant journals or forthcoming publications in academic journals meeting high international standards; the submitted research statement; engagement in international scholarly networks relevant to geographers; presentations at significant, discipline-relevant conferences; documentation of research collaborations, including with community, public sector, or private sector partners; evidence of independent scholarship; awards and accolades; a demonstrated ability to attract external funding for an evolving research program; and strong endorsements from referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching can be demonstrated by teaching accomplishments, and the teaching dossier, (including the required materials outlined below, as well as evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities), as well as strong letters of reference. Other teaching related activities can include previous experience as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, or student mentorship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.

In addition, the successful candidate will be assigned a teaching and service load. Expected teaching includes required courses in our new undergraduate Geographic Data Science program, including but not limited to courses on applied remote sensing methods, and support adjacent undergraduate programs including urban geography, environmental geography, and urban studies. Graduate level teaching may include contributions to the Department’s graduate Geography programs and/or our accredited Master of Science in Planning.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range is $125,000 to $170,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All application materials, including reference letters, must be received by January 11, 2027.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. Applicants must submit the following materials:

• a cover letter;
• a current curriculum vitae;
• a research statement outlining current and future research interests;
• a recent writing sample;
• a teaching dossier, including
  • a teaching statement,
  • Sample course materials (related to the teaching of geographic data science and geographic information science), and
  • Teaching evaluations or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above; and

• The name and contact information of three references

Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence as articulated in University of Toronto's Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence. We seek candidates who share these values and who demonstrate throughout the application materials their commitment and efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours of an application being submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. Submission guidelines and details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQs.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Department Chair, Professor Paul Hess, [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Indigenous Substantiation
The University of Toronto has implemented a process to substantiate Indigenous Membership/Citizenship/Enrolment for those candidates who identify as Indigenous. For more information regarding the University's Indigenous Substantiation Process, please refer to: Indigenous Substantiation Website.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].