Assistant Professor, Indigenous Literatures

About the Team

The https://www.ualberta.ca/en/arts/index.html is a diverse and inclusive academic community spanning the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Through innovative research, teaching, creative expression, and strong community partnerships, the Faculty of Arts advances knowledge and drives positive societal change. It provides students with the tools to think critically, engage meaningfully, and contribute to a more just and thoughtful world.

Description

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in Indigenous Literatures. This position centers on the critical, historical, and theoretical study of Indigenous literatures, oralities, and textual production across Turtle Island/North America, emphasizing First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or Native American literary traditions. The successful applicant will deliver undergraduate and graduate coursework focused on literary critique, scholarship, and Indigenous methodologies. This appointment is at the level of Assistant Professor with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

About the Department

Located on the traditional territory of Treaty Six and Region 4 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Department of English and Film Studies has a more than 100-year history of research and teaching, and we are excited to have a new colleague join us. We offer degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels, with courses in English, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Research Creation, and Writing Studies. The department is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We particularly welcome applications from women; First Nations, Métis 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.

Responsibilities

Teaching: 4 courses per year. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research leading to publication and external grants, graduate supervision, and service.

Qualifications

• Have a PhD in English or a closely related field. ABD will be considered if there is clear indication that the PhD will be completed by July 1, 2027.
• Demonstrate a record of, or potential for, high- quality research.
• Demonstrate a record of, or potential for, strong teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrate potential for service to the department and university community.
• Have experience with diverse students and a record of welcoming a diverse student body.

Application Instructions

To have your application considered, please select the Apply Online icon below and submit the following:

• Cover Letter (2-3 pages) that addresses teaching, research, service, and demonstrated commitment to the principles of Access, Community + Belonging, otherwise known as EDI.
• CV including the names of three referees; letters of reference will only be requested for selected candidates. Referees should be prepared to send their letters by late November.
• A writing sample (15-25 MS pages, double spaced). This may be published work, work under consideration, or an excerpt from your dissertation.

A teaching dossier will only be requested of selected candidates at a later date.

To ensure full consideration, all materials should be received by November 6, 2026, when review of applications will begin. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply. Specific questions about this position can be addressed to Jill Ehnenn, Chair, Department of English and Film Studies, at chairefs@ualberta.ca with Indigenous Lit job search as the subject line.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

Working at the University of Alberta and Living in Edmonton

Edmonton and the University of Alberta are situated on Treaty 6 territory, homeland of the Métis, and traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta is one of Canada's largest and most-respected research universities. It serves over 41,000 students in more than 200 undergraduate and 500 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 Access, Community, + Belonging (ACB) 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.

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. It has a large population of people of South Asian background. The Edmonton public school system offers bilingual education for children in Hebrew, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Ukrainian, and American Sign Language. For more information about the University of Alberta and Edmonton, please visit http://www.ualberta.ca and http://www.infoedmonton.com.