Assistant Professor, Indigenous Studies

Mount Royal University (MRU) is situated on an ancient and storied land steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, Mount Royal acknowledges the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation and Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations of the Iethka Stoney Nakoda, and the Métis.

About the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Humanities

The Faculty of Arts is home to the following departments: Economics, Justice & Policy Studies; English, Languages and Cultures; General Education; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; Sociology & Anthropology; and Counselling. The Faculty of Arts currently offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts with six majors; Bachelor of Arts-Criminal Justice; and Bachelor of Interior Design.

The successful candidate will be a member of the Department of Humanities, which is home to ten disciplines: Art History, Canadian Studies, History, Humanities, Indigenous Studies, Linguistics, Philosophy, Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. The Department offers a major in History, and is developing a major in Indigenous Studies, as well as minors in Ancient and Medieval Studies, Art History, Canadian Studies, History, Humanities, Indigenous Studies, Linguistics, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

For more information on our Department, please visit: https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/Arts/Departments/Humanities/index.htm.

About this Position

The Department of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts at MRU invites applications for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Studies, areas of specialization open, with preference being given to Indigenous applicants, for an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027 (negotiable).

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns:

• TSS Stream: The teaching/scholarship/service pattern has a focus on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as providing service to the Mount Royal community. Faculty on this work pattern have a 3/3 teaching load.
• TS Stream: The teaching/service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. Faculty on this work pattern have a 4/4 teaching load.

There is an option to change work patterns after tenure. This position is open to either the TSS or TS work pattern.

Qualifications

Applicants will have completed a Masters (M.A.), although a Ph.D. is preferred, in Indigenous Studies or a relevant discipline, and should demonstrate excellence in teaching and, if applying to the TSS work stream, research. As a new and evolving discipline, Indigenous Studies examines a broad range of topics from Indigenous perspectives in the past and present. This position is open to all areas of Indigenous Studies, broadly defined. Ideally, the candidate will add breadth to the Department’s current course offerings in Indigenous Studies, while also being able to contribute to the development of new curricula in their area of expertise. Preference will be given to applicants whose work privileges Indigenous perspectives, epistemologies, pedagogies, and languages. The successful candidate will be expected to teach at all undergraduate levels of the curriculum, mentor students, engage with local Indigenous community partners, and actively participate in program and curriculum development.

The successful candidate will join the Department of Humanities at the rank of Assistant Professor.

For further information about this position, contact Dr. Scott Murray, Chair, Department of Humanities at (403) 440-6098 or [email protected].

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following materials using the “Apply to the Job” link below:

• Cover letter describing their interest in the position, teaching and research accomplishments and aims, and connection to Indigenous communities
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching portfolio that includes items such as sample course outlines, student and/or peer evaluations of instruction, a teaching philosophy statement, etc.
• List of Indigenous Studies courses they are qualified to teach, and courses they would be interested in developing. Current course offerings can be found at https://catalog.mtroyal.ca/content.php?catoid=38&navoid=3076
• If applying to the TSS work stream (see above), please include a two-page statement of research interests that includes current and future research projects

A list of references will be requested from finalists for the position.

Closing Date: The selection committee will begin reviewing applications on 5 January 2026. Applications must be complete to be considered.

Please title your .pdf document as follows: (Last Name, First Name), (Requisition Number), (Application).pdf (example: Smith, John, 4143, Dossier.pdf). Ideally please submit ALL documents in one .pdf, or if size limitations require it two .pdf attachments.

MRU is committed to supporting Indigenous Employees and ensuring that opportunities and resources intended for Indigenous peoples are appropriately and respectfully accessed. For more information, please consult MRU’s Verification of Indigenous Membership and Citizenship Policy.