Employment opportunities

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is seeking expressions of interest for sessional instructors to teach the courses listed below. Applicants will ideally have a M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Earth Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field, and experience with teaching Earth or Environmental Science courses at the University level.  

EARTH 123 – Introductory Hydrology (0.50 Units; Lecture)

Course Description: This course is intended to provide students with a practical overview of the hydrologic cycle and all of the interesting ways water flows and interacts with its environment, both surface and subsurface. The material is both qualitative and quantitative in nature and focuses on the circulation of water through the atmosphere, soil, groundwater aquifers, as well as looking at both the global fresh and marine water systems. Emphasis is placed on the physical aspects of hydrology, and the geologic and environmental factors that control the occurrence and cycling of water on Earth, as well as the impacts caused by population growth, contamination, urbanization or land use management, and climate change.

GEOE 153 / ENVE 153 – Earth Engineering (0.50 Units; Lecture + Tutorial)

Course Description: This course studies earth materials and processes from an engineering point of view through case histories and problem sets. The course develops a geological knowledge for applications to any physical environment and provides an appreciation of the impact of engineering work on the environment. Topics include mineral and rock identification, the rock cycle, structural geology and tectonics, geology of Canada, effects of water, ice and wind. Students are also introduced to the concept of geologic time, topographic and geologic maps, and the basic principles and tools used to determine geologic history.

*We are particularly interested in applicants who can teach the Engineering portion of the course.

EARTH 221 – Introductory Geochemistry (0.50 Units; Lecture + Tutorial)

Course Description: Origin, abundance, and geochemistry of elements. Introduction to environmental isotope geochemistry and radiometric dating. Basic aqueous geochemistry: pH, carbonate equilibrium, and common ions in natural waters.

EARTH 444 – Applied Wetland Science (0.50 Units; Lecture + Tutorial)

Course Description: Advanced concepts on wetland ecosystems in the context of regional and global earth systems processes such as carbon and nitrogen cycling and climate change, applications of wetland paleoecology, use of isotopes and other geochemical tools in wetland science, and wetland engineering in landscape rehabilitation and ecotechnology. Current issues in Canada and abroad will be examined.

EARTH 458 – Physical Hydrogeology (0.50 Units; Lecture)

Course Description: An introduction to physical hydrogeology, including Darcy's law, the groundwater flow equations for steady-state and transient conditions, applications to flow nets, aquifer testing, groundwater resources, and groundwater protection. The role of groundwater in the hydrologic cycle is explored with emphasis on natural groundwater flow systems and their influence on stream flow. Physical processes controlling groundwater contamination are introduced.

EARTH 458L – Field Methods in Hydrogeology (0.25 Units; Laboratory)

Course Description: This course exposes students to a wide variety of field and laboratory techniques for collecting hydrogeologic data and to gain experience in interpreting the data. Advantages and limitations of various measurement and data reduction techniques for evaluating groundwater flow systems are demonstrated in a set of field exercises carried out at the groundwater demonstration facility located on the university North Campus. These exercises illustrate the complexity of natural systems and the need for good data collection and interpretation skills when characterizing such systems.

The salary is $8,910 per one term course (4 months). Applications should submit a CV and a teaching statement (maximum 1 page) that focuses on expertise and experience in teaching undergraduate Earth Science, Environmental Science, or Earth Engineering courses, especially as it relates to the Department’s undergraduate courses. Please identify the course(s) that you would like to teach within the teaching statement. Additional material such as a summary of student evaluations for previous teaching assignments or a letter of recommendation from a previous employer may also be submitted but are not required.

Applications should be submitted as a single pdf document with the subject heading ‘Earth Sessional teaching’ and addressed to Brian Kendall, Interim Department Chair of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Please email applications to Lorraine Albrecht (klalbrecht@uwaterloo.ca). Applications will be kept on file for a year. The closing date for applications is Monday December 15.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.   

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, or any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Lorraine Albrecht, Administrative Assistant (klalbrecht@uwaterloo.ca).  

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