Assistant Professor - Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies

Job Type:

Academic Regular

Faculty/Department:

Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies_Professors and Researchers

Assistant Professor, Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies

University of Ottawa

Faculty of Arts – Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies

Tenure-track position with Open Specialization

The Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies (IIRS) at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, open to Indigenous scholars of any disciplinary background. Priority will be given to scholars whose academic background and training is in Indigenous Studies or cognate disciplines and who conduct research around questions of, but not exclusively:

• gender and sexuality;
• history and/or contemporary lived realities;
• museum, archival, or gallery studies;
• health and wellness and disability studies;
• science and science knowledge;
• literature and/or artistic practices;
• languages;
• film and media studies;
• digital humanities;
• land, territory, and mapping practices;
• land-based pedagogies and methods;
• urban studies, housing, built environment;
• sovereignty, legal orders, governance;
• or research at the intersection of any of these concepts/areas.

IIRS is a newer academic unit, and successful candidates will be expected to contribute to its growth, including the building of graduate programming. A strong commitment to participate in the administrative activities of the Institute is required.

This position is a designated hire restricted to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) candidates. While all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, priority in selection will be given to candidates who identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. Applicants are invited to identify as First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit in their cover letter by highlighting their lived experiences, connections to community, and research praxis. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit documentation according to the university's Policy 135 for FNMI membership/citizenship verification for all appointments, awards, and funding opportunities for faculty, staff, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows prior to interviewing.

The fundamental purpose of this hiring initiative is to increase the representation of Indigenous faculty members in IIRS’s teaching and research activities and support the growth of Indigenous Studies as a discipline at the University of Ottawa.

This hiring is undertaken in accordance with the University’s Indigenous Action Plan which seeks to remedy the under-representation of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit faculty members.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous scholars with connections to the nations and peoples from the territories near the University of Ottawa or who make the region home; however, we welcome applications from all First Nations, Metis, and Inuit scholars.

The start date is expected to be July 1st, 2027.

Position Title: Assistant Professor level, but other ranks may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Duties: The functions of a member of the academic staff include, in varying proportions: a) scholarly activities and research; b) academic service including the development of a graduate program; c) teaching, d) supervision of students. The successful candidate is expected to help grow Indigenous Studies and the Institute at the University of Ottawa. A commitment to building the discipline and academic unit, including graduate programming, is required. To this end, the successful candidate must have an established rigorous research program that includes grants from major funding agencies such as SSRHC or possesses a clear strategy for developing an active rеsеаrch program. The research program must demonstrate an engagement with Indigenous communities and other partners committed to decolonization of academic research. The successful candidate should also have strong knowledge of university governance and be committed to developing the Institute’s research and teaching excellence.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in English or French.

A successful applicant is expected to conduct research in their field that results in peer-reviewed scholarly publications (or equivalent knowledge translation initiatives). An active and dynamic research program is regarded as fundamental to developing meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, as well as to attract, develop, supervise, train and retain excellent trainees, students, and future researchers. The Faculty of Arts provides support to faculty members committed to research that leads to external funding and facilitates collaboration with communities.

The successful candidate will be expected to exercise leadership in forging research collaborations. The Institute also encourages approaches to teaching and learning that lead to collaborations with members of the Institute, other faculties and services and beyond the University and beyond the University.

Terms: New tenure-track position.

Salary: Salary scale for an Assistant professor rank starts at $99, 377 (according to the scale in place as of May 1, 2025).

Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package, which includes long-term disability leave, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, a pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as relocation expenses.

Work location: Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies, University of Ottawa, William Commanda Hall, 52 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5.

Contact (for inquiries): Please address questions about this position to Dr. Brenda Macdougall and/or Dr. Sonia Wesche, Co-Directors, Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON, K1N 6N5. E-mail: Dir.IREA-IIRS.Dir@uottawa.ca.

Required qualifications:

A successful candidate is a scholar in Indigenous Studies or relevant cognate discipline/field with the following qualifications:

• Doctorate (Ph.D.) or terminal degree in the field of study;
• Evidence of successful teaching at a post-secondary institution;
• Evidence of an established and innovative research program and a record of refereed publications and scholarly conferences;
• Ability to attract external funding;
• Fluency in English or French. Active bilingualism in Canada’s two official languages is encouraged and supported; passive bilingualism in French and English will be required to receive tenure (courses and individual tutoring available for professors).

Deadline: December 14, 2026; the position will remain open until filled.

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Applications must be submitted electronically through the University of Ottawa Careers application portal.

Only complete applications will be considered.

A complete application includes:

• a cover letter which explicitly explains your connection to Indigeneity;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a statement of research interest(s);
• copies of two (2) recent peer reviewed publications;
• a statement of teaching philosophy and teaching evaluations (if available).

Should be send under separate cover by the referees to Dir.IREA-IIRS.Dir@uottawa.ca:

• three (3) confidential letters of recommendation;
• an additional letter of recommendation from a legally recognized and inherent Indigenous nation with whom the candidate has worked, attesting to their adherence to Indigenous protocols around research methods and praxes;

OR

• a letter of recommendation from a traditional knowledge keeper or community leader/member with whom the candidate has worked in partnership.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited to interview and be provided an opportunity to present their research to professors and students.

For more detail about the Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies, please visit: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/institute-indigenous-research-studies

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at vra.affairesprofessorales@uOttawa.ca. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouse/partner in their second official language.

The University acknowledges its location within the unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation.

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