Tenure-stream position in Indigenous Spiritualities — University of Toronto

Indigenous Spiritualities -1701694

The Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a tenure stream position in Indigenous Spiritualities appointed jointly in the Department for the Study of Religion (51%) and the Centre for Indigenous Studies (49%). The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, effective July 1, 2018.

The successful candidate will have competences in the intersection of Study of Religion and Indigenous Studies, making use of historical, anthropological, legal studies, postcolonial studies and/or cognate approaches.

Candidates must have earned a PhD in Religion or Indigenous Studies, or a closely related discipline by the time of the appointment, or shortly thereafter and have a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching at the undergraduate level. Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of Indigenous knowledges, methodologies, and epistemologies, as well as long-term experience and engagement with Indigenous communities, organizations, and institutions and evidence of understanding the importance of consensus-building relationships.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep knowledge of the language and culture of relevant Indigenous groups, a breadth of training, competence in method and theory in the study of religion, and will complement the DSR’s successful Religion and the Public Sphere Initiative, adding crucial voices to the discussion of religion and public life in Canada, Turtle Island, and beyond. Excellence in research will be demonstrated through publications or forthcoming publications in leading journals, presentations at significant conferences, and strong letters of reference from referees of high standing including a letter of support commenting on Indigenous community engagement.

The successful candidate will have the ability to teach a variety of courses; for example, the encounter and interaction between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in North America (with special emphasis on Canada); Indigenous spiritualities and the law; creation stories and Indigenous systems of knowledge and methodologies; Indigenous nations, missionaries, and governmentality; Indigenous worldviews and conceptions of health, land and community. Graduate teaching will be in her/his area of research expertise, but it is expected that the candidate will contribute both to the DSR’s strengths in Method and Theory in the study of religion and to the development of the graduate programs at the CIS and DSR by contributing courses on Indigenous philosophies/ways of knowing and spirituality, Indigenous research methodologies, the political and cultural significance of ceremony and protocol. Research specialization within this discipline is open. The successful candidate must demonstrate excellence in teaching. Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments, the statement of teaching philosophy and the teaching portfolio submitted as part of the application, demonstrated knowledge and experience in Indigenous-based teaching methods, as well as strong letters of reference.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To be considered for this position, all application materials must be submitted online by clicking on the link below.

Applications should include (1) a cover letter, and (2) a curriculum vitae combined in a file labeled cover letter and CV, (3) a sample of academic writing, a statement of research interests, and (4) a teaching portfolio. The teaching portfolio should demonstrate outstanding teaching abilities and the capacity to teach a wide range of courses. It may include, for example, teaching evaluations, sample syllabi, and/or descriptions of teaching strategies and innovations.

Submission guidelines can be found at: http://uoft.me/how-to-apply. Applicants should arrange for four letters of reference, at least one of which must comment on the applicant’s teaching abilities and one that speaks directly to Indigenous community engagement to be sent directly by email (on letterhead, signed and scanned) to Professor John Kloppenborg Chair, Department for the Study of Religion, via e-mail to religion.undergrad@utoronto.ca by the closing date. The subject line should say Reference Letter: Indigenous Spiritualities. All applications must be received by December 6, 2017. Inquiries may be directed to Professor John S. Kloppenborg, at chair.religion@utoronto.ca or Professor Susan Hill at susan.hill@utoronto.ca

For information about the Department of Religion please go to http://religion.utoronto.ca/. For information about the Centre for Indigenous Studies please go to http://indigenousstudies.utoronto.ca/

This position is part of the University of Toronto’s response to the calls to action in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.