Assistant Professor, Public Policy and Governance

Applications are invited for a probationary, tenure-track position in Public Policy and Governance at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning July 1, 2027. Applicants should hold a completed or nearly completed PhD in Political Science or Public Administration and have a demonstrable commitment to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and research.

In support of the University’s commitment to a diversified professoriate and in accordance with the University Employment Equity and Diversity policy, preference will be given to scholars who identify as Indigenous, Black or racialized. All applicants will be asked to complete and return a mandatory faculty self-identification form as part of the recruitment process. Indigenous applicants are required to document their Indigenous identity in their application and should be aware that the University may verify the community connections of applicants.

We seek highly qualified applicants who can enrich our program with research and teaching excellence in the field of Public Policy and Governance. We are particularly interested in scholars who employ comparative politics methodologies and engage critically with structures of power and inequality. While the area of research expertise for this position is open, consideration will be given to applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Environmental justice and resource management; 2) Politics of representation, party politics and governing; 3) Inter-provincial politics and/or Crown-Indigenous governance in Canada; and 4) Social policy and public healthcare governance. The successful candidate must demonstrate a capacity to teach our existing Public Policy and Public Administration courses, as well as to develop new course offerings in the field of Public Policy and Governance. We also welcome candidates who demonstrate an interest in, or capacity for, providing students with experiential learning opportunities, such as community-engaged learning or practice-based projects connecting political science concepts to real-world contexts.

Application Details

At Saint Mary’s University equity and diversity are integral to excellence and enrich our community. As an institution committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity and others who might contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact hr@smu.ca. Teaching loads, employee benefits, and salary scales are governed by the Saint Mary’s University Collective Agreement: https://www.smufu.ca/. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.

Applications should consist of the following (7) items merged into ONE file:

• application form (application form link);
• cover letter describing how the candidate’s areas of teaching and research expertise are relevant to the position;
• curriculum vitae;
• complete teaching dossier including teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and relevant sample syllabi;
• statement of research interests;
• one piece of published or ongoing research, as well as links to other papers; and
• names and contact information of three academic referees.

Candidates may also include a statement detailing career interruptions or other special circumstances relevant to their applications (one page, maximum). This statement is optional.

The closing date for applications is 4:30pm (Atlantic time), Tuesday, November 1, 2026.

Complete digital application files should be addressed to Dr. L. Zhyznomirska, Chairperson, and submitted at poli-gds@smu.ca.

Lyubov Zhyznomirska, Chairperson
Political Science and Global Development Studies
Saint Mary’s University
EMAIL: poli-gds@smu.ca

For any questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Chairperson at: chair.poligds@smu.ca.

About Saint Mary’s University

Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s top primary undergraduate universities – known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our campus is based in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada’s best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary’s provides our 6,000 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast, Saint Mary’s University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary’s University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world – a world without limits.

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