Description
Are you concerned about the negative impacts of chemicals on the environment? Are you passionate about Indigenous rights, stewardship, and self-determination? Do you want to transform the current regulatory system to a safer place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people? The Egesta Lab may be the next step in your academic or professional journey!
The Egesta Lab, at the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES), is looking to fill 2-5 full-time positions in our new six-year-long project, based at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Canada). We welcome applicants with backgrounds in education, environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, Indigenous studies, public policy, qualitative research, and other related areas of expertise. The postdoctoral position requires a PhD in a relevant field, while the research assistant position requires an undergraduate degree. We are open to a wide range of experience levels and backgrounds, including non-academic experiences.
Application priority will be given to Indigenous people from North America.
We are a part of a large, interdisciplinary, inter-institutional and international initiative: Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise, led by Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars across North America and Aotearoa: Dr. Susan Chiblow (Anishnaabe Kwe, Garden River), Dr. M Murphy (Red River Metis), Dr. Gunilla Oberg (recent settler from Sweden), Dr. Kristen Bos (Red River Metis), Dr. Deborah McGregor (Anishinaabe, Whitefish River), Dr. Amanda Giang (settler of Taiwanese heritage), Dr. Jamie Ataria (Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Tuwharetoa), and Dr. Karen Fisher (Ngati Maniapoto, Tainui), and Dr. Louis Tremblay (Pakeha).
About the Research
With our team, you will be working on developing educational materials for present and future chemicals management professionals, to support their understanding of the colonial histories underlying this field, contribute to the decolonization of the field (e.g. widening the types of expertise and data used in risk assessment), and facilitate co- learning between professionals and Indigenous Nations.
The project is split into 3 phases – we are currently in the first phase:
Listening: Learning what type of education is needed from educators, scientists, Indigenous scholars, and Indigenous communities, via focus groups and interviews
Creating: Build educational materials that fulfill the needs from the “Listening” phase
Piloting: Pilot educational materials in post-secondary courses or professional training programs, and making improvements based on feedback and observations
Your work might include engaging with Elders / Knowledge Holders, professors, and public servants, using Indigenous research methodologies, supporting curriculum development, qualitative research, thematic analysis, and workshop design, all depending on your interests and project direction.
About the Overall Project
Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise which seeks to re- envision chemical risk management with Indigenous expertise. Chemical risk management is not confined to chemistry or toxicology —it involves navigating public policy, regulating the production and use of chemicals, responding to environmental and human harms of exposure, and empowering communities who are experiencing these harms.
Other subprojects in the larger project are also hiring this year. If you are a good fit for another position, we may forward your contact information to another project lead (with your permission). If any of the other projects interest you, please let us know!
Job Details
Both positions will be full-time and hybrid, meaning there will be a couple days each week where there will be in-person meetings. There is some flexibility; we can accommodate full remote work for periods of time.
The compensation for the postdoctoral fellowship is $70000 (CAD), with benefits. The compensation range for the research assistant position is $54000 to $64500 (CAD), with benefits, depending on experience.
Application Details
If you are interested, know of anyone who may be, or have any questions, please reach out to the Research Manager Noah Depner (noah.depner@ubc.ca) or apply on the portal.
There is no formal deadline to apply - we will be having informal conversations with interested candidates between now and mid-February 2026 to see if the position would be a good fit. In early March we will begin a formal hiring process with interested candidates.
