Geoffrey F. Bruce was a Canadian diplomat and Canadian federal public servant who believed deeply in the imperative of Canadian leadership and multilateral cooperation to protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of Canada’s freshwater resources. Geoffrey Bruce left an important legacy through his career. He led the Canadian Delegation to the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, was instrumental in efforts to establish the Stockholm program on the environment, was the Canadian Representative to the UN Environment Agency and played a central role in the establishment of the Brundtland Commission (Our Common Future) in 1983. He held several diplomatic positions related to the environment and transboundary freshwater resources.

In honour of her late husband’s career, commitment, and legacy related to the environment
and water resources in Canada and on the international stage, Dr. Erika v.C. Bruce established the Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship in Canadian Freshwater Policy (Bruce Fellowship) at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Since 2017, there have been 12 Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellows in Canadian Freshwater Policy who received funding support for their Masters and PhD research projects on a wide range of topics related to freshwater policy in Canada.

These Fellows are having an impact as Canada’s next generation of water policy leaders and practitioners in positions at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, and in non-
governmental organizations working on the environment and freshwater policy. The establishment of the Geoffrey F. Bruce Post-doctoral Fellowship in Environment and Freshwater Policy builds on the success of the Bruce Fellowship program thanks to another generous donation by Erika Bruce to support the next generation of Canada’s environment and freshwater policy leaders and practitioners, in recognition of her late husband’s lifetime commitment to sustainable development and water resource issues at the national and international levels.

The Geoffrey F. Bruce Post-doctoral Fellowship in Environment and Freshwater Policy has also been made possible by the commitment and support of Toronto Metropolitan
University (TMU) and the commitment to environment and water research and training by the Faculty of Arts, the Office of the Vice-President of Research and Innovation, the Office of the Provost, and the Yeates School of Graduate Studies. Erika Bruce’s continued and generous donations have made this position possible and form the foundation of TMU’s commitment to building research and policy capacity related to the environment and freshwater resources in Canada.

Toronto Metropolitan University is located in the heart of Canada’s largest city. With its unique applied history and its distinctly urban campus, TMU has a culture that’s innovative and features several interdisciplinary graduate programs related to environmental sustainability and water policy and related interdisciplinary research institutes such as the Urban Water Research Centre.

Position Description

The goal of the Bruce Post-doctoral Fellowship is to foster leading-edge research related to the environment and freshwater resources in Canada and the formation of recommendations to generate and shape public policy. The Bruce Post-doctoral Fellowship is a unique opportunity for an emerging scholar who wants to engage in applied research contributions at the interface of scholarship and public policy.

The ideal Bruce Post-doctoral Fellow aspires to be one of Canada’s next environment and freshwater research and policy leaders. The candidate should be committed to leading-edge scholarly and policy contributions through interdisciplinary and inter-institutional initiatives, scholarly and policy publications and submissions, contributions to public forums and discussions, and media commentary related to environment and freshwater governance in Canada. The ideal candidate is someone who values high-quality scholarly research, a career that focuses on next generation environment and freshwater issues, and a post-doctoral research and publication agenda that makes significant contributions to public policy.

Candidates should also have an ability and interest in engaging with different media and
communications initiatives focused on raising public awareness in the field.
Examples of eligible areas of research include (but are not limited to):

● freshwater as a political, economic, social, cultural and strategic national resource
● geopolitical water issues and water security
● climate change and water governance
● water, climate change, food, energy nexus
● transboundary water governance
● innovations in sustainable industrial/commercial/agricultural water use
● water quality/quantity interface
● surface water/groundwater governance
● open water data and water security
● freshwater protection and sustainability
● innovations in sustainable municipal water use
● watershed governance and monitoring
● effects of urban development, diversion, transportation, etc.
● Indigenous leadership and engagement in water governance
● freshwater and ecosystem values, ethics and stewardship

The successful candidate will engage in a range of leading-edge environment and freshwater policy research topics and projects focused on Canada in comparative and global context. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to play a leadership role in the International Conference on Public Policy in June 2023 at TMU and in organizing a national conference on freshwater policy in Canada in 2023-24.

The Bruce Post-doctoral Fellowship also provides a unique opportunity to mentor Bruce Fellows, be engaged in a diverse range of future-oriented, applied research projects and partnerships, and apply for additional research and project funding from a variety of sources.

Description of Postdoctoral Fellowship Roles and Responsibilities

Research – initiate, lead and execute leading-edge research projects on Canada’s most
pressing environment and freshwater policy issues. Work as part of an interdisciplinary team on current and future-oriented research projects at the interface of scholarship and public policy. Author and co-author peer-reviewed publications, policy reports, policy briefs, policy submissions, presentations, webinars, media articles, and social media posts.

Project Coordination – coordinate and facilitate research projects in partnership with Postdoc supervisor, Bruce Fellows, other faculty members and graduate students at TMU and in partnership with other universities, government agencies, academic networks, and non- government and private sector partners, from project development and research design stage, to execution, implementation and communication of research findings related to environment and freshwater public policy challenges in Canada and internationally.

Knowledge Mobilization for Policy Impact – work with the Supervisor, Bruce Fellows, other graduate students, Faculty of Arts communications staff, TMU Urban Water Research Centre, other research centres, external research partners, policy organizations and practitioner associations to disseminate and mobilize knowledge related to various applied policy research projects including developing outreach publications; playing a leading role in national conferences and other outreach events and programs; present and participate at policy and practitioner conferences, present and participate in public forums and discussions; and make submissions and contributions to national media and social media.

Position Details

The Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship is a one-year, full-time position with compensation of $70,000 including a standard benefit package, plus a $5,000 research fund. This position from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024 includes the possibility of a one-year renewal and extension based on available funding and a performance review by the selection committee. The position requires engagement in research projects, initiatives and events in person and using online technology. The candidate must be able to work in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by May 1, 2023.

Students from a range of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and applied research backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applications from a wide range of social science disciplines including: political science, public policy, public administration, environmental studies, economics, law, geography, business, and international studies. Applications from interdisciplinary students are also encouraged to apply including interdisciplinary environmental studies, Canadian studies, Indigenous studies, etc. Applications from those with a predominantly science focus (e.g. engineering, environmental science, marine biology) will only be considered if they can demonstrate the applied and policy focus of their doctoral research and future research agendas.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:

● PhD in related field completed since 2019; or have a scheduled doctoral defence date before April 30, 2023 confirmed in writing by their supervisor.
● Extensive knowledge of environmental issues and water policy backed by a solid academic background, research and publication track record.
● Passion for applied research projects, and policy-oriented work at the nexus of environment and water; water-climate-change-food-energy-biodiversity; transboundary
water; surface-groundwater; water quality-quantity; water data; complex environment
and water governance challenges; water law, policy and regulation; water technology and innovation
● Proven research expertise and methodological skills including research design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis; law, policy and regulatory analysis; geospatial analysis
● Proven knowledge of environment and water policies. Related experience working on environment and water policy and/or policy communications considered assets.
● Demonstrated experience and success in managing and executing applied research projects
● Self-starter able to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively; able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
● Prior mentorship experience with research collaborators and graduate and/or undergraduate students
● Demonstrated coordination skills with a strong track record for developing positive relationships and the ability to effectively plan, organize and support collaborative research and communication strategies.
● Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with external partners and/or stakeholders and supporting applied research
● Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to plan, organize, manage, monitor, and complete, projects and initiatives and effectively manage people as part of research teams
● Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
● Excellent presentation skills.
● Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to deal effectively with a diversity of people/cultures.
● Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Application Requirements:
Interested applicants should submit an application package including:
● a CV/résumé
● copies of academic transcripts
● two-page statement of interest and qualifications including a description of proposed
applied policy research interests and alignment with goals of the Bruce Post-doctoral
Fellowship
● and 3 letters of reference including contact information for referees.
Applications should be submitted by January 6, 2023 to Dr. Carolyn Johns:
[email protected].

The candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Carolyn Johns and be affiliated with the Bruce Fellowship Program, the Faculty of Arts, the Department of Politics and Public Administration, related graduate programs, the Urban Water Research Centre, and other research centres at TMU.

TMU is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation
university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as
fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do. Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples from Canada, Indigenous peoples from North America, racialized people, persons with disabilities, people who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. There is very limited flexibility to defer the start date until work permits or similar work status have been obtained.

If you have any questions about TMU or the position, please contact Professor Johns ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin in early January 2023. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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