Contract Lecturer Job Postings for Natural Resources Management
2026-27 Academic Year
Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for a Contract Lecturer in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management. Applications are requested to teach the following (days/times will be posted in June):
Fall 2026
NRMT-1110-FA - Natural Resources Inventory I – Fall Term (September 1 – December 31, 2026)
General principles of measurement; theory and use of mensurational instruments; measurement of length, area and volume; construction of standard and local volume tables; estimation of stand volume from simple sampling designs; measurement of non-timber resources.
NRMT-2110-FA / BIOL-2110-FA - Forest Soils and Water I - Fall Term (September 1 – December 31, 2026)
An introductory course dealing with soil development, soil description and soil classification. Physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Site quality and forest soil properties are assessed using routine field and laboratory methods.
NRMT-2330-FA - Silviculture I - Fall Term (September 1 – December 31, 2026)
An introduction to the theory and practices of silviculture. Topics will include silvicultural systems for even-aged and uneven-aged forest stands, principles of seedling production, storage and handling, the theory and methods of site preparation, methods of vegetation control, forest regeneration and stand tending.
NRMT -2350-FA / NRMT-5135 - GIS in Management Planning / Applied Geomatics - Fall Term (September 1 – December 31, 2026)
A study in the utility of operational remote sensing and geographic information systems standards and procedures. The emphasis of the course is to provide the student with an understanding of the transition from interpreted aerial photographs and classified digital satellite imagery to a digital database, and its utilization within a GIS for forest resource management. Forestry applications include forest resource inventory mapping and analysis, terrain analysis, depletion mapping, as well as disease detection and monitoring.
NRMT-3010-FA - Biometrics - Fall Term (September 1 – December 31, 2026)
Students will develop skills related to sampling, experimental design, hypothesis testing, probability, data description and presentation, and dealing with uncertainty in data and analyses. There is an emphasis on determining which statistical approaches should be used to answer questions using different types of datasets relevant to natural resources research and management. Specific approaches include those for comparing sample means (including ANOVA) and correlation/regression analyses and an introduction to comparing multivariate samples. Students will gain hands-on knowledge and experience in statistical software, including the free and open-source R/Posit platform and associated packages.
Winter 2027
NRMT-2210-WA – ENST-2211-WA - Forest Ecology and Silvics (50%) - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
An introduction to the concepts of structure and function in a forest context. Principles of 1) production ecology, 2) biogeochemical cycling in forest systems, 3) community dynamics and succession and 4) ecosystem ecology will be explored. Impacts of human-induced and natural disturbance events will be discussed. The laboratory portion will emphasize the scientific approach to investigation including literature reviews, collection of data, application of statistical tests and interpretation of results.
NRMT-2270-WA - Photointerpretation & Remote Sensing - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
An introduction to photointerpretation and digital remote sensing. In the first part of the course, students will learn principles of air photointerpretation with a focus on species and feature identification. Photointerpretation of forested landscapes, tree species, wetlands, and anthropogenic land use will be covered in both ortho and stereo as well as frame and linear scanner imagery, displayed in both true and false colour. The application of the subjects will be shown in the case of the Ontario Ecological Land Classification. The second part of the course will be an introduction of digital remote sensing principles. Image acquisition technology (passive and active) is covered in detail. Enhancement and classification techniques are taught and evaluated. Land cover classification will be taught as well as the processing of raw data into formats suitable for analysis.
NRMT-3170-WA - Forest Economics - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
Introduction to the economics of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services produced by, and dependent on, the forest resource. Course objectives are to appreciate the management of forests as an economic activity; to apply some of the concepts and tools of economic analysis to the management of forest resources; and to analyze and critically appraise important forest policy issues from an economic perspective.
NRMT- 3218-WA / NRMT-5218-WA - Natural Resources Inventory II - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
Topics include sampling designs, inventory planning and execution, non-probability sampling, forest growth and yield including individual trees and stands as dynamic biological systems, stem analysis procedures, measures of site productivity, early models of growth and yield, application of applied projection models. Students will participate in field studies and make use of computers in the completion of their laboratory reports.
NRMT-4217-WA / NRMT-5136-WA - LiDAR in Natural Resources Management / LIDAR - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
An introduction to Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and the tools used to extract useful information. These include ArcGIS Pro, FUSION, R and LASTools. A thorough understanding of technology limitations to natural resource management is emphasized. Case studies may include inventory development, multi-temporal and analysis (depletion mapping), vigor assessment, as well as cover-type identification.
NRMT-4250-WA/ NRMT-5815-WA - Environmental Assessment - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
Forest management is increasingly being seen as a form of land development that should be subjected to both informal and formal environmental impact assessment. This course introduces both the theory and practice of environmental assessment, focusing on federal and provincial processes for environmental assessment, scientific and planning tools for undertaking assessments, and appropriate roles for the various stakeholders and groups interested in the environmental effects of forest-management activities.
NRMT-5570-WA – Forest Economics in Natural Resources Management - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
The application of economic models and rational choice to decision making in resource management. The course objectives include the application of the economic principles and concepts to modern forest management and policy issues, and developing models for valuation of forest investments, and non-timber forest values and services. The purpose is to understand multi-objective optimization models for sustainable natural resources management that focus on economic prosperity, ecological viability, and social acceptance.
UNIV-1014 – Seminar - Winter Term (January 1 – April 30, 2027)
The University Seminar course (UNIV) is a small, discussion-based course that provides a great introduction to academic skills, such as writing, research, citations, effective study skills and learning strategies, which will be useful to students no matter their field of study.
It will help students develop the skills and confidence needed to be successful at university before the rest of their courses begin.
Using a multi-disciplinary approach, students will discuss, research and exchange perspectives on a real-world and current topic. Learn how to form arguments, support them with facts, communicate effectively, share differences of opinion in constructive ways and more.
Small class sizes provide students with a supportive, interactive and engaging learning environment. The University Seminar Course is a great opportunity to interact with classmates and the instructor.
Please note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Instructors should refer to the online timetable prior to the start of classes.
Qualifications Preferred: PhD in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Studies or related field, with significant expertise related to the topic they will be teaching. The minimum requirement is a Master’s degree. Experience with experiential learning and online or alternative modes of delivery is highly desired.
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.
For further information, please contact Dr. Brigitte Leblon. Detailed information on the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and our programs is available at: www.lakeheadu.ca/nrm
Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document) should include: a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests and/or evidence of teaching effectiveness. A completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form must accompany your package. We encourage applicants with the Right of First Refusal (as outlined in article 19.03.02 of the LUFA/LU Collective Agreement) to indicate their status in their application.
Applicants should submit their electronic application with the subject line including the course name (e.g., NRMT-1234-WA) to:
Faculty of Natural Resources Management
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Attn: Dr. Brigitte Leblon, Dean
E-mail: BLEBLON@lakeheadu.ca
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.
These positions are subject to budgetary approval.