Applications for this position close on June 15, 2026.
fRI Research is an independent not-for-profit research institute that conducts practical science to improve land and resource management. We are proud of our strong shareholder support which includes the Government of Alberta, Jasper National Park, West Fraser, Weyerhaeuser, Tolko, Canfor, and Vanderwell Contractors. Our office is in Hinton, Alberta, 20 minutes east of Jasper National Park, and 3 hours west of Edmonton. Hinton, set amidst the stunning scenery of the Alberta Rockies, is a community of 10,000 in the heart of a four-season recreational paradise. Our region offers outstanding mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and skiing opportunities, as well as plenty of arts and cultural activities. For more information about fRI Research please visit our website.
The Healthy Landscapes Program has explored the application of ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles to forested landscapes in western Canada for over 30 years. Its partnership base includes over 25 land management and NGO organizations across five provinces and territories, and more than ten academic and research institutes. The next phase of the Healthy Landscapes Program will be developed jointly by the new Program Lead, the Activity Team, and the fRI Research shareholders. These may include further studies into EBM and disturbance dynamics, challenges related to a changing climate, as well as projects related to outreach and education as related to forest ecology.
Job description
fRI Research is seeking a knowledgeable, personable, and dedicated leader for our Healthy Landscapes Program. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Lead is responsible for managing all aspect of the program including seeking funding resources and leading the scientific research in the program area. This position will appeal to those interested in leading an applied and highly diversified research program, who enjoy working closely with both shareholder organizations and a wide range of experts from across Canada and beyond, and who strive to see their research meaningfully contribute to the wise management of Alberta’s forested resources.
While primarily focused on Alberta, the program often extends its research scope to forests and with partners in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and NWT.
The role of the successful candidate will be to:
- Create, coordinate, plan and manage the full research process from project inception through to the publication of results
- Lead the development of practical solutions in the areas of sustainable land and forest management, forest resiliency, and climate-smart strategies
- Communicate project progress and results to stakeholders and partners
- Develop a program communications plan, and participate in fRI Research communications activities, including webinars, presentations, infographics, reports, and field tours
- Build and maintain relationships with the program’s Activity Team, shareholders, partners, and stakeholders from industry, government, academia and other groups
- Supervise program staff, following fRI Research policies, procedures, and safety requirements
- Manage program financials, project budgets and source research funding
- Complete annual work plans, quarterly updates, and other reporting tasks as required by the fRI Research Board of Directors
- Work closely with Activity Team members to identify research questions
- Participate within the organization’s Leadership Team
Essential job qualifications, skills, and experience
- Experience designing and conducting applied research to solve practical land-use problems
- Expertise in forest ecology, wildfire behaviour and ecology, landscape dynamics, disturbance ecology and spatial modelling
- PhD in natural resource management with at least 2 years of practical experience
- Recognized scientific peer-reviewed publication history
- Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills for building and maintaining diverse, productive teams
- Proven problem-solving skills and ability for independent decision-making
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Experience in large project management, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development
- Experience in research proposal writing and grant management
- Ability to meet strict production deadlines
- Strong administrative and project management skills, including all aspects of financial tracking and reporting
- Be respectful, strategic thinking, action oriented, and possess integrity
- Legally able to work in Canada
- Possession of a valid Class 5 driver’s license
Desirable job qualifications and experience
- Experience working within the private sector
- Membership in relevant professional organizations (e.g., Alberta Association of Forest Management Professionals or the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists)
- Post doctoral studies
- Ability to secure Adjunct status, preferably at an Alberta based university
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and Indigenous knowledge
- Broad experience in forest and land management on multi-use landscapes
- Coding skills in R
- History of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Experience in spatial modelling
- Experience with spatial statistical methods
- Related fire behaviour and fire pattern research
- Experience with EBM
Salary: $90,000 – $136,000 per year (under review), based on experience and qualifications
Hours of work: 37.5 hrs/week
Start date: August 1, 2026 (negotiable)
Location: Hinton or Edmonton, Alberta
Travel: Throughout western Canada
Benefits:
- Flexible work schedule
- Extended Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short & Long-Term Disability coverage
- Parental leave top-up
- 3 weeks paid vacation per year to start
- Paid leaves including personal days, sick days, bereavement leave, and a volunteer day
- RRSP/TFSA program
- Support for professional development
- Moving allowance up to $3,000
To apply
Please email your resume with a cover letter as a single file to Risa Croken with the subject line: “Application – HLP Program Lead”. Name the file lastname_firstname_application.
Updated closing date: June 15, 2026
While we appreciate the interest of all candidates for this position, only candidates that are invited to interview will be contacted.
fRI Research is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from persons who may have been marginalized in the past including Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities and newcomers to Canada.
