Interdisciplinary Faculty Position -- Assistant or Associate Level (EXPIRED)

Interdisciplinary faculty position in the Centre for Knowledge Integration

The Centre for Knowledge Integration (CKI) at the University of Waterloo invites applications from across the academic disciplines for a faculty position at the level of Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate (tenured) Professor.  While the disciplinary background is open, itis essential that applicants have an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, and/or scholarship.  Candidates should also have a demonstrated track record of excellentteaching and scholarship within their discipline, appropriate to the level of hire.  

CKI is home to an interdisciplinary four-year undergraduate honours program leading to a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration (BKI).  The BKI curriculum is similar to an arts & science or liberal arts program, butwith an explicit focus on the nature of knowledge in different disciplines, and on design thinking as a framework for integrating that knowledge.  Founded in 2008, the Centre currently comprises four faculty members whose combined disciplinary breadth spans the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering.  We have a dynamic program with small class sizes and excellent students who are fully engaged with their learning, many of whom complete their degree already performing at a graduate level.  In addition, CKI has a strong sense of community among its students, faculty, and staff.  The successful candidate will be excited about the opportunity to interact with, and contribute to, this environment, both within and outside the classroom.  For more detail about the Centre and its programs, see www.ki.uwaterloo.ca.

CKI is housed in the Faculty of Environment, where there exist rich inter- and transdisciplinary activities, opportunities, and research centres, many of which include faculty from across campus (www.uwaterloo.ca/environment/research).  Given this connection, we would be especially interested candidates whose teaching and/or scholarship engages with environmental issues.

We would also like to identify a candidate who will take a collaborative leadership role in program development,helping to establish CKI as an institutional, national and international centre for the scholarship on and practice of interdisciplinarity.  An interest in or demonstrated track record of work in an aspect of interdisciplinarity would be an asset.  Examples of such work might include scholarship on interdisciplinary teaching and learning, fostering and promoting interdisciplinary teaching across campus, the ability to facilitate cross-disciplinary research collaborations, or research on a topic related tointerdisciplinarity or collaboration.  

The successful candidate will be offered a cross-appointment to an appropriate academic unit in order to provide opportunities for graduate teaching and supervision in his or her discipline, as well as appropriate internal evaluation of disciplinary scholarship.  She or he will take responsibility for two core courses, as well as develop and teach an upper-year elective course for the Knowledge Integration program, typically providing an interdisciplinary perspective on a topic ofinterest.  In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to offer a graduate course, either through the department of cross-appointment or as part of a Masters in Knowledge Integration (MKI), which we are hoping to offer in the near future.  The candidate will also be expected to develop, or continue developing, a strong program of research, in addition to teachingand service.

Given the nature of the program, we are looking for a colleague strongly committed to undergraduate education, comfortable working in a small dynamic environment, willing and able to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, enthusiastic about building community, and interested in program development.  The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, reflective, collaborative, engaging, motivated, and may be non-traditional with respect to their discipline.

All candidates should submit a file that includes a letter of application addressing the nature of the candidate’s interdisciplinary interests and experience, and identifying an appropriate disciplinary home at Waterloo; a curriculum vitae; a teaching statement; and a research statement.  Candidates at the level of Associate Professor should include the names of four academic references and a sample of published scholarship.  Those applying at the level of Assistant Professor should include three letters of reference and a sample of published or unpublished scholarship.  Scholarship samples should not exceed 25 pages.  Applicant’s files should be sent to Professor Ed Jernigan, Director, Centre for Knowledge Integration, University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON, N2L 3G1.  Questions about this position should also be directed to Professor Jernigan at [email protected].  References will be contacted only with the consent of the candidate.  Review of applications will begin November 15, 2012, and will continue until the position is filled.  

The University of Waterloo is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified women and men, including members of visibleminorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.  Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.