Assistant Professor, Aviation

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University (MRU) grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. MRU has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, MRU has more than 14,000 credit students who choose from 12 bachelor degree programs and 35 majors to pursue their post-secondary education.

MRU is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

The Bissett School of Business and Department of Aviation are housed within the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies. Students in the School of Business can take a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree or the Aviation Diploma. BBA students can pursue majors in human resources, general management (with concentrations in financial analysis, financial services, international business, innovation and entrepreneurship, social innovation and supply chain management), accounting, and marketing. In addition to these majors, the Bissett School of Business offers several minors including human resources, accounting, finance, finance and economics, financial services, business and society and international business, and certificates in human resources, advanced accounting, and marketing. Approximately 2,100 students are enrolled in the school’s programs. In its approach to curriculum and content development, the school is committed to MRU’s Indigenous Strategic Plan and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

MRU’s two-year aviation diploma is one of Canada’s elite Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited programs, integrating academic preparation with flight simulator training for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Group 1 Instrument Rating. With over 50 years of experience, the aviation program has built many industry connections. The program is well supported by industry through involvement in MRU’s Aviation Partnership Council, which provides advice and guidance. The diploma program exists within an institution that is student focused, with a degree of student success.

A Bachelor of Aviation Management (BAM) will begin student registrations in Fall 2024. This 40- course degree program offers students two concentration options - Flight Crew Options and Aviation Operations - and builds on the existing Diploma in Aviation and Bachelor of Business Administration. It is designed for students who plan to work in various aviation company operations, airline management or airport management. The concentration in Flight Crew Options offers an optional Commercial Pilot and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating to prepare students for a role as a pilot as well as be ready for management opportunities as their flying career develops. The concentration in Aviation Operations focuses on a greater development of management skills and specific aviation business content. Graduates will learn about the many complex issues affecting global operations, including economic and environmental sustainability, financial operations, logistics, and best practices for managing people and processes in the aviation industry.

Flight training is conducted out of Springbank Airport. Classroom instruction and the simulator training at the main Calgary (Lincoln Park) campus.

The growth in our aviation programming requires that we recruit and hire a new faculty member who will become an integral member of the Aviation team, contributing to teaching and program development.

This Department of Aviation invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor from internal applicants only. The successful candidate will join the Aviation team at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing July 1, 2024, or as may be available, subject to final budgetary approval.

The MRU Aviation Department currently includes two (2) full-time faculty, one (1) Contract faculty, the administrative support team and the MRU Flight School Team. The Flight School team currently includes: Chief Flight Instructor (CFI); 11 Instructors; Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM), Safety Officer, Scheduler, and two (2) Administrative Assistants.

New faculty at MRU are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching-scholarship-service pattern, which includes, in addition to teaching responsibilities (normally, six (6) courses annually), the requirement that the faculty member maintain a research program as well as providing service to the MRU community, or the teaching-service (TS) pattern, which has a focus on teaching and service only. MRU faculty members are subject to the terms and conditions of a Collective Agreement and a normal annual workload consists of eight (8) months of teaching, two (2) months of intersession (with developmental responsibility) and two (2) months of vacation.

The successful candidate will be hired into the TS pattern and will be required to teach courses in the aviation diploma program and the BAM degree program. Courses will include classroom instruction and, dependent on courses taught, will be required to meet the Transport Canada requirements for Commercial Pilot Licence and a Group 1 Instrument Rating or provincial degree requirements, or both, and will include topics such as:

• Aviation Navigation
• Meteorology
• Aviation History and Air Law
• Aeronautics, Industry and Flight Operations
• Multi-Engine Instrument Rating
• Advanced Operations, GPS and Crew Coordination
• Human Factors and Aviation Safety
• Aircraft Engines
• Technology and Aircraft Systems

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include curriculum development, and participating in activities that promote student success and the advancement of the profession of aviation both in the classroom and through the flight training program. MRU is known for its experiential learning with a commitment to co-operative education, community service learning and field schools. The ideal candidate may also be required to represent the disciplines with the related professional communities, locally, nationally and internationally.

MRU is committed to integrity, diversity, and equality and fosters an inclusive, safe, and respectful working environment.

The successful candidate must have a Master’s degree with a PhD preferred (preferably in the field of

Aviation), and have

• Demonstrated involvement and experience in the aviation and business community
• Experience in post-secondary education
• Expertise in program and course development
• An interest in research and understanding of data literacy
• A strong understanding of EDIA, indigenization and decolonization

Preference will be given to candidates who,

• Hold, or have held, an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, or Commercial Pilot Licence and Group 1 Instrument Rating
• Hold, or have held, a Flight Instructor Rating

and who also have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to balance strong academic qualities with administrative capabilities.

Candidates should also demonstrate an understanding of the challenges associated with leading an interdisciplinary department, appreciate the diversity of our community, and exhibit skills as a consensus builder.

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Closing Date: Open until April 26, 2024

Applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, list of three (3) academic or professional references (with their contact details), evidence of teaching excellence (teaching evaluations, sample course outlines, teaching philosophy), evidence of flight qualifications and experience and evidence of intent to pursue a research program including a research statement outlining research outputs and research proposals.