Assistant Professor - Democracy and Technology

Posting Reason:

New Position

Job Family:

Academic Leadership and Faculty

Union affiliation:

APUO

Faculty/Department:

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs_FT

Campus:

Main Campus

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/09/02

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

Assistant Professor in the field of Democracy and Technology

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Democracy and Technology.

Applications are invited from scholars whose research addresses the relationship between democratic governance and technology. Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to:

• Digital governance and public policy

• Artificial intelligence and public decision-making

• Platform governance and democratic accountability

• Online political communication and disinformation

• Technology regulation and public institutions

• Surveillance, privacy, and digital rights

• Cybersecurity and democratic resilience

• Emerging technologies and governance innovation

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 on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, 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.

Qualifications

·    Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs, sociology, economics, law, communication, science and technology studies, information studies, philosophy of science, or a related discipline (completed by the time of appointment).

·    Demonstrate excellence or the potential for excellence in teaching and research.

·    Given the mission of the GSPIA as a professional school of public policy and international affairs that educates future policy leaders, candidates should demonstrate a very strong understanding of governmental institutions, public administration, and policy-making processes in democratic societies.

·    Preference will be given to candidates who are able to teach in French at the time of appointment.

Duties

·    The successful candidate will be expected to teach a first-year Master’s level course in “Democratic Government and Public Policy”, among other graduate and undergraduate courses;

·    Research activities;

·    Supervision of graduate students;

·    Participating in academic and administrative activities;

·    Other activities as specified in the collective agreement.

Terms

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 an Assistant Professor starts at $99,377 (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

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, 120 University, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is October 31, 2026; however, applications may be considered after this date until the position is filled.

A complete application must include the following elements:

·    Curriculum vitae,

·    A letter describing their teaching and research experience and interests,

·    A clear statement of their level of fluency in French and English.

Applicants must request that three referees send letters of recommendation directly to:

Professor Costanza Musu

Director, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Ottawa

E-mail:  [email protected]

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

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

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 contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. 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 spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.