Learning from the Lands – Transforming Chemical Risk Management through Indigenous Law and Land-Based Knowledge  | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Learning from the Lands – Transforming Chemical Risk Management through Indigenous Law and Land-Based Knowledge 

 

Department:  School of Environmental Sciences 

Description of the Area/Topic of Research 

Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise is a large-scale, Indigenous-led, interdisciplinary research project funded by Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund. This project brings together Indigenous research methods and visions of environmental justice to transform how chemical risk is managed across communities, regulatory practices, university settings, and policy. 

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to support and co-lead research in the “Learning from the Lands” subproject. The successful candidate will coordinate research activities with Indigenous communities, organize Elder consultations, and contribute to the development of a regional, land-informed chemical risk management model. The PDF will also mentor student researchers and support dissemination of findings to Indigenous communities, regulators, and the broader academic community. 

Description of Lab/Group/Area 

The successful candidate will be working in the “Learning from the Lands” subproject, led by Dr. Susan Chiblow and Dr. Deborah McGregor and hosted by the Ndaakendaaswen Gamig (Lab) at the University of Guelph. This subproject aims to reframe and transform chemical risk management by grounding it in Anishinaabek law and land-based education. Centered in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory, the project brings together Elders, youth, scientists, policymakers, researchers, and regulators to develop Indigenous-led policy and chemical management practices. 

General Outline of Duties 

  • Coordinate and facilitate Elder-led gatherings and consultations across Robinson Huron Treaty communities 
  • Conduct and synthesize qualitative data from land-based teachings and Indigenous legal perspectives 
  • Collaborate with students, Indigenous community researchers, and project partners 
  • Support and manage research activities, including designing research protocols, applying for ethics approval, recruiting participants, conducting workshops, focus groups, and interviews 
  • Co-develop community-facing and academic knowledge outputs 
  • Engage in interdisciplinary dialogue with researchers and regulatory agencies 
  • Support event organization, reporting, and relationship maintenance with partners 

Required Qualifications 

  • PhD in Indigenous Studies, Environmental Studies, Law, Public Policy, Geography, or a related discipline 
  • Experience in a discipline of relevance to chemical risk assessment professionals, for example, but not limited to: (eco)toxicology, chemistry, endocrinology, AI/machine learning
  • Demonstrated experience with Indigenous research methodologies, relational ethics, and community-based research 
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills across cultural contexts 
  • Experience with qualitative analysis, participatory methods, or environmental governance preferred 
  • Familiarity with present debates on decolonization of science education and governance in Canada 
  • Familiarity with OCAP(c), Indigenous data sovereignty or Indigenous research methodologies 
  • Experience conducting qualitative research using interviews, participatory, or observational studies 
  • Familiarity with software for qualitative data analysis, such as NVIVO, is an advantage 
  • Familiarity with Anishinaabek worldviews, Indigenous law, or treaty rights 
  • Willingness to travel to and work in community settings in Northern Ontario 

Start Date & Duration of Appointment: July 1, 2025. 1 year appointment, with possibility for renewal pending performance and funding.

Supervisor: Dr. Susan Chiblow, Assistant Professor, schiblow@uoguelph.ca 

Anticipated Hours/Days of Work (at time of posting): 35 hours/week

Salary Information: 58,000, Benefits are included. Link to information on the benefits.

Application Requirements

Documents

  • Cover Letter
  • CV
  • Other

Other 

  • In cover letter, please outline your interest in this area and relevant experience.

EDI Statement: 

We invite applications from qualified candidates who share our commitment to employment equity and inclusive excellence. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates (e.g., First Nation, Métis, Inuit). If Indigenous to regions outside of North America, please specify in your cover letter. We welcome applications from candidates who belong to groups that historically, persistently, or systemically have been marginalized: racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and trans and non-binary people. 

Special Instructions 

Please send application materials to both:

Supervisor: Dr. Susan Chiblow, Assistant Professor, schiblow@uoguelph.ca

Research Project Manager: Dr. Paul Meighan, pmeighan@uoguelph.ca

Selected applicants will be contacted. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Posting Date Tue, 05/20/2025

Closing Date Sun, 06/15/2025