Assistant Professor, Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies

About the role

The Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies (IIRS) at the University of Ottawa is recruiting an Assistant Professor on a new tenure-track position with open specialization. It is open to Indigenous scholars of any disciplinary background, with priority for those whose training is in Indigenous Studies or related fields and who research topics such as gender and sexuality, history, museum/archival/gallery studies, health and wellness, literature, languages, film and media, digital humanities, land and sovereignty, urban studies, and others. The position is a designated hire restricted to First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) candidates, and the start date is expected to be July 1, 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Scholarly research and peer-reviewed publications (or equivalent knowledge translation).
• Teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, in English or French.
• Supervision of students and development of graduate programming.
• Building the discipline and the Institute, including participation in its administrative activities.
• Research that engages Indigenous communities and partners committed to decolonizing academic research, and leading research collaborations.

Required profile

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Indigenous Studies or a relevant field.
• Evidence of successful post-secondary teaching and an established research program with refereed publications.
• Ability to attract external funding; a clear strategy for developing an active research program is required.
• Fluency in English or French; active bilingualism is encouraged and passive bilingualism is required for tenure.
• Strong knowledge of university governance.

Application

• Applications are submitted electronically through the University of Ottawa careers portal by December 14, 2026.
• A complete application includes a cover letter explaining your connection to Indigeneity, a CV, a research statement, two recent peer-reviewed publications, a teaching philosophy and teaching evaluations, three confidential referee letters, and either a letter from an Indigenous nation or a traditional knowledge keeper/community leader.

What we offer

• Salary starting at $99,377 for an Assistant Professor rank.
• Benefits including long-term disability leave, group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, a pension plan, optional life insurance and relocation expenses.