Tenure-track Faculty Position in Contemporary Indigenous Scholarship

Job Type:

Academic Regular

Faculty/Department:

Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies_FT

INSTITUTE OF FEMINIST AND GENDER STUDIES 

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

Tenure-track faculty position in Contemporary Indigenous Scholarship

The Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa is located on the unceded territory of the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation.

The Institute is seeking to fill a regular faculty position that focuses on Indigenous histories, contemporary realities, and futures, related to one or more of the following: Indigenous feminisms, Indigenous women, Indigenous resistance and/or resurgence; two-spirit and Indigiqueer studies; Indigenous literature, decolonial and anti-colonial theory; gender, labour, health; digital media, reproductive justice, Indigenous art and cultural production; transnational perspectives.

This is the Institute’s first regular faculty position dedicated to contemporary Indigenous scholarship, creating an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to help shape this area of scholarship, teaching, and engagement within the Institute. We know that Indigenous scholarship takes many forms and that candidates may bring different disciplinary backgrounds, ways of knowing, areas of expertise, and relationships and accountabilities within Indigenous communities. We encourage applicants who see possibilities for their work within this role to apply, even if their experience does not align with every aspect of the position as described.

The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading university and the largest bilingual university (French and English) in the world. Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes significantly to the economy, culture and quality of life of Canada’s capital.

The Faculty of Social Sciences comprises nine departments, schools and institutes, which offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in both English and French. With its 10,000 students, 260 full-time professors, and a wide array of programs and research centres, the Faculty of Social Sciences plays a key role at the heart of the University of Ottawa. Its graduate students are trained by excellent researchers and undertake cutting-edge research in the Faculty’s Master’s and Ph.D. programs.

Title of the Position: Assistant Professor or if applicable, Associate Professor.

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, Métis, 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. 

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

•   A PhD in Indigenous Studies, Feminist, Gender and Women's Studies, or a related field such as political science, education, social work, geography, literature, or other fields in the social sciences and humanities.  Candidates who are close to completing a Ph.D. will be considered.

•   Expertise in one (or more) of the areas listed above.

•   Demonstration of an established or potential research program.

•   Demonstrate excellence or the potential for excellence in teaching.

•   Preference will be given to applicants whose research and teaching praxes reflect an existing and ongoing relationship to legally recognized and inherent Indigenous nations, communities and/or organizations.

Duties

The responsibilities of this position include teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, future supervision of graduate students, research and community service. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong research and teaching plan or potential, and a commitment to participating in the administrative activities of the unit and the Faculty. Research, as defined in Article 20 of the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO) Collective Agreement includes, among other activities, work grounded in Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, including the engagement, application and sharing of that research within and alongside Indigenous communities.

Bilingualism

As the University of Ottawa offers programs in both English and French, all faculty members in the Faculty of Social Sciences must demonstrate active bilingualism before being granted tenure.  Potential candidates who are not bilingual (French-English) at time of application are encouraged to apply:  the University offers faculty members language classes and support for language learning.  The Faculty is committed to supporting the successful candidate in developing their language skills and will provide one-on-one tutoring and other language-learning support as needed. Faculty meetings and activities at the Institute take place in both languages, with members welcome to participate in the language of their choice.

Terms

A new tenure-track position. Note that tenure is conditional on active knowledge of Canada's two official languages (English and French).

Salary

Salary scale for a Lecturer starts at $81,296; for an Assistant Professor at $99,377; and an Associate Professor at $109,776  (as of May 1, 2025).

Starting Date

July 1, 2027

Benefits package

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

Location of Work

The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 120 University, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is November 20, 2026; however, applications may be considered after this date until the position is filled.

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

A complete application must include the following elements:

• A letter of application describing the applicant's qualifications for the position;
• A Curriculum vitae;
• One sample publication or a piece of creative work.

Short listed candidates will then be asked to provide:

1)   A sample course outline and teaching dossier;

2)   Three (3) confidential letters of recommendation sent directly by the referees:

       a)   Two (2) academic references;

       b) One (1) letter of recommendation from a member of a recognized community, a community or organization with whom the applicant has worked, attesting to their adherence to Indigenous protocols around research methods and praxes;

OR

One (1) letter of recommendation from a traditional knowledge keeper or community leader/member with whom the candidate has worked attesting to the candidate’s experience of teaching and researching in partnership with an Indigenous community.

We welcome questions about the position or application process.

Please contact:

Professor Kathryn Trevenen

Director, Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Ottawa

E-mail:  [email protected]

Successful candidates will be invited to present their research to faculty and students during an on campus visit.

To learn more about us, please visit our website.

In accordance with government policy, 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 accommodations 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 [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 175-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides second-language training to staff members and their spouses.