Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Community Engaged Scholarship: Department of Psychology

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

The Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in Community-Engaged Scholarship in Psychology, at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

The Position

The successful candidate will develop an interdisciplinary and impactful research program in community-engaged scholarship in the field of Psychology. We welcome applicants with expertise that complements and broadens our Department’s methodological strengths, coupled with substantive expertise in community-engaged research approaches. We particularly welcome applicants with expertise in Indigenous methodologies, Indigenous knowledge systems, or Indigenous approaches to Psychology. We also welcome applicants with a growing interdisciplinary and community-engaged research program using methodological approaches that respect Indigenous values, traditions, and relational accountability. Experience working with Indigenous communities is strongly preferred.

Working for the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology has strengths in behavioural, cognitive, developmental and social neuroscience; cognition; comparative cognition and behaviour; developmental science; and social and cultural psychology. We offer a highly collegial and supportive work environment for new and established academics, with outstanding support for research and teaching, and an active Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization and Reconciliation (EDI-IR) Committee. The Department of Psychology serves approximately 22,000 undergraduate students per year, including about 4,500 students enrolled in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs with Psychology as their declared major or minor. The Department offers Masters and PhD programs.

Members of our department are involved in centres, institutes, and networks across campus and beyond. The Community-University Partnership (CUP) for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families is a unique collaboration among the University of Alberta, community agencies, and organizations in Edmonton and across Alberta. CUP's goal is to advance knowledge, policies, and practices for the benefit of children, youth, and families. The Psychology department has a long history of collaboration with CUP.

Living and Working in Edmonton, Alberta

With a population of approximately 1.5 million people, Edmonton is the sixth largest metropolitan area in Canada and has the second largest Indigenous population and the fourth largest Black population of any Canadian city. The Canadian Prairies are the second most densely populated Black region in Canada. Moreover, Black people as a demographic are growing faster in Alberta than in any other region, apart from central Canada. Nearly 10% of Edmonton's population is of South Asian origin and 16% of East and Southeast Asian origin, with growing numbers of Edmontonians of Filipino, Latin American and Middle Eastern origins. The Edmonton public school system offers bilingual education for children in French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), and American Sign Language. Amiskwaciy Academy offers Cree as a high school credit and has started an Aboriginal study course in junior high school. At least two high schools, Amiskwaciy Academy and Victoria School of the Arts, offer Cree and Blackfoot as a high school credit and have started an Indigenous Ways of Knowing program in junior high school

Responsibilities for the position include maintaining a community-engaged and externally funded research program in Psychology with expertise in community-engaged research approaches, Indigenous methodologies, Indigenous knowledge systems, or Indigenous approaches to Psychology; teaching in the undergraduate and graduate programs with a focus on courses in community-engaged scholarship, Indigenous methodologies or approaches, qualitative or participatory research approaches, applied psychology, and/or other courses offered in our department; and supervising undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The teaching load for this position is three courses per year. The successful candidate will be expected to build networks and partnerships within the University of Alberta, and externally, to support the advancement of scholarship in the field of community-engaged research.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications in accordance with the Faculty Agreement as per the negotiated salary scales.

• A PhD in Psychology or a related/relevant academic discipline (e.g., Community Studies, Educational Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Indigenous Studies, Public Health) by the date of appointment. Postdoctoral experience or equivalent experience is an asset.
• Evidence of a research program in community-engaged scholarship in psychology. A focus on Indigenous methodologies, Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous approaches to psychology, and/or qualitative and participatory research approaches is strongly preferred.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications, scholarly works, community-directed research outputs, and/or presentations in venues relevant and respected in their fields of research.
• Evidence of engaging in research networks and collaborations with Indigenous communities and sustained relationships, or strong evidence of such potential.
• Evidence of engaging in research networks and collaborations with communities, or strong evidence of such potential.
• Evidence of seeking and obtaining external research funding or the potential for securing external research funding.
• Teaching experience at the university level commensurate with career stage. Ability to teach or experience teaching courses in community-engaged scholarship, Indigenous research methods, Indigenous Peoples’ psychology, qualitative and participatory research methods, applied psychology, and/or other relevant courses offered in our department.
• Experience with public scholarship and community outreach or demonstrated interest in such activities is an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of practices to foster equity, diversity and inclusion in research and teaching; to foster belonging and meaningful access for members of the university community; and living out commitments to Indigenization and decolonization.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of Publications
• Curriculum vitae, including the names and titles of three referees (*We are not requesting letters of reference in the initial application).
• Research statement (up to 2 pages) that outlines the applicant’s main areas of current and future research. Applicants are invited to describe how their research addresses issues related to community-engaged research such as reciprocity, community priorities, and accountability (submit as “Research”).
• Copies of up to three publications, other scholarly works, or community-directed outputs (submit as “Publications”).
• Teaching and mentorship statement (up to 2 pages) with a brief teaching and mentorship philosophy, any evidence of teaching effectiveness, and description of courses you have taught or would like to teach in the position (submit as “Teaching”).
• A statement (up to 2 pages) about understanding of the importance of practices to foster equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research and teaching; belonging and meaningful access for members of the university community; and commitments to Indigenization and Reconciliation (IR) (submit as “EDI-IR”).

Review of applications will begin on January 4, 2027. Applications received by this date will receive full consideration. Applications will be accepted until January 11, 2027.

*Referees should be prepared to send their letters by January 15, 2027 (if requested).

Questions about the position can be addressed to the attention of Dr. Wendy Hoglund, Chair, Department of Psychology, via [email protected] or [email protected], using “Community-Engaged Scholar Position” in the subject line.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenured or 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.

The Faculty of Arts 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.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms - physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage 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 and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.