The Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver) invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in International Relations, with a focus on international forces affecting the resilience of democratic governance, and for nomination as a Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader. The position is at the level of Assistant Professor (tenure-track), effective July 1, 2027.
This position and associated research support are funded in part by a Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders Award under the strategic priority area of Democratic and Community Resilience. The Impact+ Emerging Leaders program supports this position with an award (valued at $100,000 per year for six years), which will be used for a combination of salary, research, and indirect costs of research. While the faculty appointment is tenure-track, the Emerging Leaders Award and associated research support is for six years, with the possibility of a six-year extension subject to program criteria and requirements. The successful candidate will, for the term of the Award, receive one annual course release and an annual research allowance to support research and knowledge-translation activities.
Under the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program, nominees must have been internationally based (working and residing outside Canada) on July 1, 2026. Applicants who meet this eligibility requirement may apply regardless of their current location.
The position start date must be no later than July 1, 2027, with no exceptions possible under the award rules. Applicants must have a completed Ph.D. in Political Science (or related field) or be able to demonstrate that all Ph.D. requirements will be completed within six months of the position start date, as part of the UBC requirement. In addition, the successful applicant must meet the eligibility criteria of the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders award (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-plus-chairs/program-details/competition/2026/frequently-asked-questions.html).
We seek applicants with strong research records and potential; the potential to translate knowledge and contribute to policy debates and decision-making; and a demonstrated ability to undertake high-quality teaching. The successful applicant will be an International Relations scholar whose research examines international actors, organizations, or dynamics that affect the survival, deepening, and/or breakdown of democratic institutions and practices. The successful applicant will be expected to develop and maintain an active program of research leading to peer-reviewed publications and the securing of external research funding; to mobilise research findings to contribute to policy debates where relevant; and to contribute to the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students. The Department has a particular interest in scholars who will enhance its diversity.
The programs, faculty research interests, and general activities of the UBC Department of Political Science can be found at www.politics.ubc.ca.
This position is subject to final budgetary approval. The expected pay range for this position is $10,416.66/month - $12,500.00/month (for 12 months per year). Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
To apply, applicants must upload the following materials online by October 25, 2026 at https://poli.air.arts.ubc.ca/application-form-international-relations-and-democracy-assistant-professor-2026/.
- a cover letter;
- a curriculum vitae;
- a description of current and future research interests (maximum 2 pages);
- a statement of teaching philosophy, interests and accomplishments (maximum 2 pages);
- evidence of teaching experience and effectiveness (e.g., summaries of teaching evaluations if available (official preferred), peer reviews of teaching, sample course materials);
- a statement about experience working with a diverse student body and about contributions or potential contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion (maximum 1 page);
- one writing sample, either published or unpublished (ideally, article-length).
In addition, applicants should arrange for three confidential signed letters of recommendation to be sent separately to the Department of Political Science, care of Jeff Yupitun, Assistant to the Department Head, at poli.recruitment@ubc.ca by October 25, 2026.
Candidates invited for an on-campus interview will be asked to provide a written paper associated with their research presentation if the presentation is not based on the originally submitted writing sample.
Review of applications will begin on October 25, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
UBC-Vancouver’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam people, with whom UBC shares a framework Memorandum of Affiliation. For information on Indigenous initiatives available at UBC, visit the UBC Vancouver Indigenous portal at https://indigenous.ubc.ca. The Department of Political Science at UBC is committed to increasing Indigenous engagement within its curriculum.
UBC recognizes the impact that leaves (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members) and health-related slowdowns (e.g., due to chronic illness, disability, or COVID-19 impacts) can have on research achievement. UBC commits to ensuring that leaves and health-related slowdowns are taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how career interruptions and personal circumstances have affected their career.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. As part of their ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the three federal research funding agencies require institutions to implement open, transparent, and equitable recruitment and selection processes.
In alignment with UBC’s commitment to creating an equitable and diverse environment that fosters academic excellence, candidates are encouraged to complete a self-identification survey: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_exPuSwFzPyvB8Ee
UBC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Throughout this hiring process, we will strive to create an accessible process for all candidates including, but not limited to, people with disabilities.
If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Centre for Workplace Accessibility website (hr.ubc.ca/cwa) or contact the Centre via email at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca. Job applicants requiring confidential accommodation or accessibility, or requests for adaptive measures to participate in the hiring process, may reach out to Dr. Patricia Badir at patricia.badir@ubc.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. This competition is restricted to candidates who meet the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders eligibility requirements, including being internationally based and working and residing outside Canada at the relevant program date, and meeting the program's definition of an early-career researcher. Within this eligible pool, and in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
