Join our team

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations. You can learn more about us here or through our stories.

We're looking for talented, motivated and value-driven professionals to help advance our mission. See below for our current employment opportunities!

Strategic Research Area (SRA) Manager - Indigenous Community Energy Systems

Location: University of Victoria (Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ territories). This position is eligible for a hybrid flex working arrangement.

Reports to: ACET Partnerships Manager

Salary: $88,155 - $114,671

Deadline: Open until filled

The Opportunity

Are you a relational leader dedicated to Indigenous energy sovereignty? The Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative is seeking an Indigenous Strategic Research Area (SRA) Manager to bridge the gap between academic research and community-led energy futures.

In this role, as part of ACET’s Strategic Research Area (SRA) 5, you will advance integrated energy systems and ACET projects which are co-designed with Indigenous communities through a culturally grounded, sustainable, and self-determined approach.

Position Summary

The SRA5 Manager (Indigenous) position is a hybrid research and project/people management role and will report to the Partnerships Manager, ACET. The role will work closely with the ACET core team at UVic, and with regular communications and coordination across the other eight ACET SRA Managers.

The SRA Manager will have an understanding of both the scientific and technical stages of ACET SRAs, with a specific focus on Indigenous knowledge and research co-design.

Relational Leadership & Community Co-Design

Key Responsibilities

Project co-development: You will support project opportunity and project proposal development through true co-design, ensuring community aspirations are at the centre of every research plan. You will help lead ACET project co-design with members of the ACET core team, researchers, project partners and SRA Leads, with a focus on Indigenous inclusion, interdisciplinarity, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), knowledge mobilization and other project criteria.

Partnership Management: You will help coordinate activities with cross-sectoral partners, the ACET core team, and institutional partners, including UBC, Yukon University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Royal Roads University.

Cultural Safety: Along with ACET’s Strategic Advisor, Indigenous, you will ensure researchers are trained to engage with communities respectfully and safely.

Mentorship: Where appropriate, you will provide research oversight and mentorship to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates, building partnerships within and beyond the University of Victoria.

Road-mapping & Strategy: You will work with project partners, community representatives, and Strategic Research Area Leads to align research with ACET’s strategic priorities and UNDRIP standards.

ACET Collaboration: Taking direction from the ACET Strategic Advisor, Indigenous, you will ensure that researchers are properly trained and screened prior to working with Indigenous communities; taking direction from the ACET Strategic Lead, People & Culture, you will ensure that projects apply an equity lens and follow best practices in project team management throughout their lifecycles.

Project Lifecycles: Support the management of multiple research projects, including budgets, work plans, and timelines. You will support project leads to evaluate the impact of changes to project scope and schedule.

Knowledge Mobilization: Translate complex research into "storytelling" and accessible communications in collaboration with the ACET Communications Team.

Administration & Reporting:

Track and share communications around engagement and opportunity development.

Contribute to formal reporting for CFREF.

Ensure formal onboarding of personnel onto ACET projects.

Engagement: Participate in events, seminars, and conferences to support the mobilization of knowledge to government, industry, and Indigenous partners.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: Master’s degree or above (or an equivalent combination of education and significant community leadership/traditional knowledge).

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working directly with Indigenous communities in project management.

Subject Expertise: Knowledge of energy systems or climate change from a technical, policy, social science, or governance perspective.

Relational Skills: Demonstrated ability to build broad networks and tailor communication for diverse "knowledge users" (from Elders to academic experts).

Project Tools: Experience tracking evaluation metrics, managing funder relationships, and writing with analytical clarity.

Our Commitment

Guided by the UVic Indigenous Plan, we recognize our responsibilities to the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. We operate as guests on these lands and are committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into every project lifecycle.

How to Apply

Please submit your application, including a cover letter and CV, to contactacet@uvic.ca with the subject line: "ACET SRA 5 Manager: Indigenous."

Limited Hiring: In accordance with the university's equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to Indigenous Peoples. Our search committee will review the pool of applications from those who self-identify as Indigenous. Candidates must self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit in their cover letter to be considered for this position.

Indigenous Identity: UVic has developed a process to affirm declarations of Indigenous identity for positions of material gain. Successful candidates will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process for this and future opportunities.

Accessibility and Equity Statements
Information about our accessibility and equity policies can be found below and/or accessed using the navigation menu on the left.

First Nations Utility Study Researcher

Position: Research Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow — First Nations Utility Study
Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET)
University of Victoria

About the First Nations Utility Study Project

The First Nations Utility (FNU) Study is a collaborative research project designed to support participating First Nations in exploring the long-term financial sustainability of different FNU business models in B.C. This project is grounded in the principle that all research and analysis will incorporate the priorities and needs identified by participating First Nations.

The scope of work includes examining various ownership structures, operational models, and governance approaches, which will be shaped by the unique contexts of each participating community. The output of the project will be a tailored business case analysis for each participating First Nation, which they may use to inform the future development of their utility model/proposal.

In December 2024, the Indigenous Clean Energy Opportunities initiative requested an Expression of Interest (EOI) from First Nations interested in forming a utility that would be regulated by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) as a public utility1. A Steering Committee made up representatives from ACET, the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and First Nations members of Clean Energy BC, selected participating communities from among those who submitted EOIs. These communities will contribute to guiding the direction and scope of research based on their priorities and interests.

About the research team approach:

For this project, we seek to hire one Research Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow with complementary skills and experience to our current research team, with a strong focus on financial modeling for infrastructure and renewables investments (and economic analysis as an asset) to support feasibility analysis and business case development. The researchers are expected to work in close collaboration with one another over the course of the project under the co-supervision of Professors Curran Crawford (ACET Executive Director) and Basma Majerbi (ACET- Business and Finance Research Lead). Although the research team will be provided with a high-level project framework, they are expected to work independently to establish a detailed research plan and will have considerable control over how research is undertaken within the multidisciplinary team and with guidance from participating Nations.

What the research team will do:

Co-create detailed research design, analytical frameworks, and methodological approaches with the research team and participating First Nations that will deliver on the practical research goals of the project and ensure applicability to the communities it intends to serve.
Build relationships and work in conjunction with each of the First Nations participating in the project in coordination with the First Nations Utility Working Group (FNUWG).
Undertake a community energy utility feasibility study with each of the participating First Nations that assesses the long-term (e.g. 20 year) sustainability and potential profitability of the proposed energy unitality and business model.
The study should include consideration of the community’s objectives (including non-financial), the obligations of a traditional public utility to their customers, capital expenditures, operation expenditures, financing, and estimate of customer rates to recover cost of service and earn a reasonable rate of return on equity. It should also consider the expectations of the customer base, commercial feasibility/economic risks, human resources (including local training), customer base, revenue generation options, cultural appropriateness and potential community benefits and challenges.
Complete a business case analysis for each participating First Nation incorporating results from the feasibility study. The analysis will be co-developed and informed by the priorities of each First Nation.
Work collaboratively with team members to integrate financial modelling with policy, governance, and community priorities.
Collaborate with ACET’s Communications Strategist and Research Impact Officer on communications, storytelling and knowledge mobilization (such as presentations to Chief and Council, policy briefs, brochures, or videos) to highlight research impact to the community, as well as preparation of academic manuscripts.
Participate at conferences, seminars, and community events to promote knowledge sharing both within and outside the community.
Ensure community members are brought alongside the research and participate in decision-making processes related to research design and deliverables.
Uphold ACET’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and safe workplaces.

Other duties as required.

What you will bring:

Experience working with First Nations communities (ideally within British Columbia).
Strong experience in financial analysis and modelling for infrastructure, utilities, energy systems (e.g., long-term financial projections, and exposure to cost-of-service modelling or utility rate design is an asset).
Understanding of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including their financial and regulatory frameworks.
Ability to work collaboratively on research design and co-create knowledge in interdisciplinary and community-based research settings.
Commitment to ongoing training to advance Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Proven quantitative research abilities, including financial modelling, scenario analysis, and business case development, with complimentary qualitative research skills.
Experience writing, publishing, and producing research tailored to various audiences.
Commitment to continued training and implementation of principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion through research design and workplace practices.

Preferred qualifications:

Senior PhD Candidate, PhD Graduate, or equivalent with experience in business, engineering, applied science, resource management, economic development, or other relevant disciplines. Preference will be given to First Nations scholars from B.C.
Experience in working with BC First Nations communities
Strong experience in financial feasibility analysis and business case development.
Knowledge or experience in electricity systems and utility regulations
Knowledge or experience in analysis of community benefits
Knowledge or experience with developing Indigenous data sovereignty models, including but not limited, the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP)
UVIC Indigenous Cultural Acumen Training (or equivalent)

What we provide:

Salary range: $50,000 - $100,000 annually. This broad range ensures flexibility based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, degree status, and level of commitment (e.g., part-time vs. full-time or project-based vs. ongoing roles), post-doc/research associate appointment category.
20 vacation days in addition to statutory holidays and UVic Christmas-New Years closure period
Access to employee-funded extended benefit plans
Professional development opportunities

Working Conditions:

This is a one-year, part-time or full-time position with opportunity to extend based on project requirements, impact, and funding
This is a hybrid-remote position with expectation of some in-person time in Victoria BC
Travel to participating First Nations Communities is also expected and will be funded through ACET
Applicants must be permitted to work in Canada and be available to begin by June 2026 (flexible)

How to Apply:

Open until filled. If you are ready to take on this exciting and impactful research opportunity, please submit your application to contactacet@uvic.ca with subject line “First Nations Utility Study." Include the following in your application: a cover letter, CV, and a short writing sample (i.e., published article, thesis excerpt, policy document, knowledge mobilization piece; not mandatory, but will strengthen application).

Why Join Us?

This role offers an opportunity to make real-world impacts by supporting First Nations communities in BC to achieve energy sovereignty and build resilient local economies.

Accessibility and Equity Statements
Information about our accessibility and equity policies can be found below and/or accessed using the navigation menu on the left.

Equity Statement

ACET and the University of Victoria are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read UVic's full equity statement at www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.

Accessibility Statement

We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process. If you require any accommodations, please contact Alison Conroy at alisonconroy@uvic.ca. All personal information and accommodation requests are kept strictly confidential and will not affect your application status.

Territory Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, the Musqueam people, the fourteen Yukon First Nations, Atikamekw and other Indigenous People on which ACET partner institutions stand, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.