Public Health Sciences – Queen’s National Scholar (QNS) in Indigenous Health and Aging

Queen’s University

The Department of Public Health Sciences in Queen’s Health Sciences at Queen’s University invites applications for a Queen’s National Scholar (QNS) position in Indigenous Health and Aging. The position is a full-time tenure-track/tenured position at Assistant Professor or early Associate Professor rank, with a preferred starting date of July 1, 2024. The QNS in Indigenous Health and Aging is one of seven QNS being recruited this year in support of Queen’s interdisciplinary Indigenous Studies Program and new Major and Joint-Honours in Indigenous Studies. Further information on the Queen’s National Scholar Program can be found on the website of the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at: https://www.queensu.ca/provost/queens-national-scholars-program

Applicants must be Indigenous persons with clear and demonstrable ties to Indigenous community(ies). In accordance with the Hiring of Indigenous Specific Positions – Interim Policy, applicants will be required to provide documents confirming their Indigenous identity. Shortlisted candidates will have their identity verified prior to being invited to interview and only applicants whose identities have been positively verified will proceed to the interview stage of the hiring process.

The successful candidate should hold the PhD or equivalent degree in epidemiology, public health, or a related discipline, with a focus on Indigenous Health, which should be completed by the appointment start date. Candidates “all but dissertation” (ABD) in their PhD will be considered; however these candidates must include a clear plan for degree completion and transition into a faculty position. In addition to academic qualifications, applicants are encouraged to highlight any relevant lived experiences and traditional knowledge or teachings they bring for the position. The selected applicant is expected to play a major role in enhancing capacity and academic excellence in the interdisciplinary Indigenous Studies Program at Queen’s, and contribute to undergraduate and graduate programs in Health Sciences. The ideal candidate should either have an established independent research program or exhibit a promising research trajectory in the areas of Indigenous health and aging, Indigenous cognitive health and dementia, Indigenous health equity initiatives, and/or community-based learning, knowledge mobilization and knowledge transfer. The impact of certain circumstances that may legitimately affect a nominee’s record of research achievement will be given careful consideration when assessing the nominee’s research productivity. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions. The appointed individual will have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues within the Faculty of Health Sciences and across the university, and will play a pivotal role in foundational instruction within the Indigenous Studies Program.

As a Queen’s National Scholar, the ideal candidate will clearly demonstrate three main attributes:

• Excellence in providing rich and rewarding learning experiences to students;
• Excellence in developing innovative, collaborative or interdisciplinary research programs that align with Queen’s strategic priorities; and
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility.

Further information on teaching and research priorities at Queen’s is available in the Queen’s Strategy and the Queen’s Strategic Research Plan.

The main criteria for selection are academic and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will provide evidence of high-quality scholarly output that demonstrates potential for independent research leading to peer assessed publications and the securing of external research funding, as well as strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an ongoing commitment to academic and pedagogical excellence in support of the department’s programs.

Candidates must provide evidence of an ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and student-centred environment. The successful candidate will also be expected to make contributions through service to the department, the Faculty, the University, and/or the broader community. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

It is expected that the successful candidate will contribute to teaching and/or service opportunities within the Indigenous Studies Program in coordination with their home unit(s). Indigenous Studies at Queen’s (INDG) is hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and is anchored in language, cultural, and land-based education. The program launched as a Minor in 2013 and added a Major and Joint-Honours in 2022 and it features a dynamic and growing list of courses from diverse units across the Faculty of Arts & Science. INDG currently has two Indigenous tenure-track faculty members and is overseen by the Indigenous Studies Program Steering Committee, comprised of faculty, staff, students, and community members. The QNS will join a core of people committed to centring Indigenous knowledges and perspectives as INDG continues to grow and flourish. More information is available at https://www.queensu.ca/llcu/academics/academic- plans/indigenous-studies.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

People from across Canada and around the world come to learn, teach and carry out research at Queen’s University. Faculty and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, long term disability insurance, life insurance and access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program. You will also participate in a pension plan. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying employees, their spouses and dependent children. Queen’s values families and is pleased to provide a ‘top up’ to government parental leave benefits for eligible employees on maternity/parental leave. In addition, Queen’s provides partial reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for employees with dependent children in daycare. Details are set out in the Queen’s-QUFA Collective Agreement. For more information on employee benefits, see Queen’s Human Resources.

Additional information about Queen’s University can be found on the Faculty Recruitment and Support website. Queen’s University is a leading Canadian medical doctoral institution with over 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Millions of dollars of support from SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR support leading-edge research across domains of inquiry. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives builds community, advances reconciliation, and integrates Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the fabric and life of the university.

Researchers at Queen’s have many existing networks with Indigenous communities and researchers locally and from across Turtle Island. The University is situated on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe, in historic Kingston on the shores of Lake Ontario. Kingston’s residents enjoy an outstanding quality of life with a wide range of cultural, recreational, and creative opportunities, with access to many natural areas and proximity to vibrant First Nations Communities including Tyendinaga and Akwesasne. Kingston is also home to a vibrant and growing urban Indigenous community, supported by urban Indigenous organizations dedicated to Indigenous cultural revitalization and social support. The city is near Frontenac Provincial Park, the Thousand Islands National Park, and the Frontenac Arch UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The Queen’s University Biological Station, north of the city, encompasses 34 km2 of diverse lands, affording premier learning and research opportunities. Visit Inclusive Queen’s for information on equity, diversity and inclusion resources and initiatives.

Queen’s University has developed a Targeted Hiring Policy and Procedure in accordance with guidelines on Special Programs by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The Targeted Hiring Policy and Procedure will be applied to fill the QNS in Indigenous Studies position.

In accordance with the University’s Employment Equity Program and pursuant to Section 141 of the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), the QNS in Indigenous Studies is open only to qualified individuals who are Indigenous persons with clear and demonstrable ties to Indigenous community(ies). In accordance with the Hiring of Indigenous Specific Positions – Interim Policy, applicants will be required to provide documents confirming their Indigenous Identity. Shortlisted candidates will have their identity verified prior to being invited to interview and only applicants whose identities have been positively verified will proceed to the interview stage of the hiring process. Recognizing the intersectionality of identities within Indigenous communities, applications from Indigenous candidates who also identify as women, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ persons will be welcome. All applicants will be invited to self-identify once they have applied; those who wish to be considered under our employment equity provisions are required to self-identify. Self-identification information will be held in confidence by the Human Rights and Equity Office and one member of the hiring committee. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians, permanent residents and Indigenous applicants defined under Section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 will be given priority.

Queen’s Targeted Hiring Policy and Procedure follows the OHRC’s guidelines on Special Programs. The requirement for applicants to be an Indigenous person will assist Queen’s University in addressing the underrepresentation of Indigenous Scholars at the university. Engaging Indigenous scholars will enable Indigenous experiences and community connections to enlighten and enrich the University, academia, and student experiences at Queen’s. It is also an opportunity to correct the historic underrepresentation at Queen’s of Indigenous scholars.

A complete application consists of:

• a cover letter;
• a current Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications, awards and grants received);
• a writing sample – either a publication or a work in progress;
• a statement of current and prospective research interests;
• a statement of teaching interests and experience (including teaching outlines and evaluations if available);
• a statement of experience in and commitment to facilitation and promotion of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and accessibility; and,
• the names of three (3) references, preferably from more than one university or other appropriate At least one referee must be arm’s length.

Please also note that Under Section 14 of the OHRC, it is not discrimination to put in place a special hiring program if it is designed to:

• Relieve hardship or economic disadvantage
• Help disadvantaged people or groups to achieve, or try to achieve, equal opportunity or
• Help eliminate discrimination

Applicants should send all documents in their application packages by email as a single PDF by November 1, 2023 to: nikki.remillard@queensu.ca.

Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed only if the position remains unfilled.

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Nikki Remillard, Manager, Department of Public Health Sciences (nikki.remillard@queensu.ca).

Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by a Collective Agreement between the University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), which is posted at https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moas and at http://www.qufa.ca.

Appointments are subject to review and final approval by the Principal. Candidates holding an existing tenure-track or continuing-adjunct appointment at Queen’s will not be considered.