Jewish Studies – Assistant Professor

University of Alberta

ART History and Classics
Competition No. – A107351860
Closing Date – Will remain open until filled.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

Position Summary
The Department of History, Classics, and Religion at the University of Alberta invites applications for the Belzberg Family and Jewish Federation of Edmonton Professorship in Jewish Studies. This is a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with an anticipated starting date of July 1, 2024.

Qualifications
Applicants for this position must have a PhD degree in hand in Religious Studies or a related discipline. The area of research specialization within Jewish Studies is open. ABD applicants with a strong expectation of completing the PhD before July 1, 2024, may also be considered.

Applicants must demonstrate potential for excellence in research and teaching. Responsibilities for the position include maintaining an active research program, teaching at all levels in the undergraduate and graduate programs, and graduate student supervision. Community engagement and annual reporting to the donor community is a responsibility in this position.

The regular teaching load is four courses per year. The capability to teach broadly in Jewish Studies is a requirement for the position, as is the capability to teach RELIG 375/575, our required course in theories and methods for all undergraduate majors and graduate students in Religious Studies. Proficiency in languages, ancient and modern, as relevant to the applicant’s research area is required.

Working at the University of Alberta

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications in accordance with the Faculty Agreement as per the negotiated salary scales. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package. It is partially endowment-funded and comes with an annual research allowance.

Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta is one of Canada’s largest and most-respected research universities. It serves over 39,000 students in almost 400 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. In 2022, the University’s Indigenous Strategic Plan was implemented, reflecting an important step in our institution’s commitment to reconciliation in post-secondary education and research, addressing the historical legacy of the residential school system and Canada’s colonial history. The University’s principles and actions and its EDI Strategic Plan are underpinned by respect for the dignity, rights, and full participation of all those who live, work, and learn within the university.

The Faculty of Arts is the oldest and most diverse faculty on campus and is one of the largest research and teaching centres in Western Canada. Religious Studies, which has offered degree programs at the university for over fifty years, joined the previous Department of History and Classics in 2020 to form the Department of History, Classics, and Religion. The Department has around 350 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate students across its multiple degree programs, and teaches around 9000 students per year.

With a metropolitan area population of approximately 1.5 million people, Edmonton has a thriving cultural scene including music, visual arts, theatre, festivals, and dining, and boasts the largest system of urban parkland in North America. It has the second largest Indigenous population and the fourth largest Black population of any Canadian city. The Jewish community in Edmonton is keenly interested in the university and in this position. The Edmonton public school system offers bilingual education for children in Hebrew, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Ukrainian, and American Sign Language.

How to apply:

To apply, please select the Apply Online icon below and submit the following:

• cover letter,
• curriculum vitae, including the names/titles of three referees (note that we are not requesting letters of reference in the initial application)
• research statement that outlines the applicant’s main areas of current and future research (submit under \“Research Plan\”)
• writing sample (submit under \“List of Publications\”)
• teaching dossier with a brief teaching philosophy, a statement about the importance of EDI to your teaching and research in Religious Studies, evidence of (potential for) teaching effectiveness, and sample course outline(s) for courses you have taught or would like to teach (submit as an attachment under \“Statement of Teaching/Research Interests\”).

Referees should be prepared to send their letters by November 20, 2023 (if requested).

Questions about the position can be addressed to the attention of Dr. Ryan Dunch, Chair, Department of History, Classics, and Religion, via mailto:hcrea@ualberta.ca, using \“Jewish Studies position\” as the email’s subject.

Review of applications will start on November 6, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage applicants who are women; First Nations, Metis and Inuit; members of visible minority groups; people with disabilities; people of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered.

As part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program requirements, the university must conduct recruitment efforts to hire Canadians and permanent residents before offering a job to a temporary foreign worker. To ensure we remain in compliance with these regulations, please include the appropriate statement in your application “I am a Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident” or “I am not a Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident”.

How to Apply

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/4614585

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.