Assistant Professor (EXPIRED)

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

The McMaster University Department of Philosophy invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 1, 2022. Mindful of a longstanding lack of diversity within the discipline of philosophy, we are pleased to announce that, pursuant to Section 24 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, this is a targeted search initiative for Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized persons (including individuals who self-identify as persons of colour or BIPOC). The Department seeks a candidate who will contribute to the advancement of inclusive academic excellence at McMaster.

McMaster aims to advance human and societal health and well-being, locally and globally. This hiring initiative is in keeping with McMaster’s vision to achieve international distinction for creativity, innovation, and excellence, and to embody values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness, and teamwork. It is also aligned with ongoing work being undertaken to ensure inclusive excellence in the recruitment and retention of faculty that have been underrepresented across all academic disciplines, which is articulated in McMaster’s EDI Strategy: Towards Inclusive Excellence and reinforced in the President’s recent letter to the community. 

We invite applications from scholars working in all areas of philosophy, including emerging areas and interdisciplinary work. We are especially interested in candidates whose research and/or teaching interests include one or more of the following broad areas: Social, Political and Legal Philosophy (including Indigenous law), Ethics and Applied Ethics, History of Philosophy (including underrepresented figures or traditions), Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind. We welcome a variety of approaches to philosophical issues, including work that proceeds from non-Western, non-Northern and feminist perspectives, work that incorporates Indigenous ways of knowing and scholarship, and work that centres on race.

The successful applicant must demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching and research commensurate with their career stage. They must also demonstrate a willingness and ability to: (1) contribute to the Department’s undergraduate programs; (2) work with other McMaster faculty to attract, instruct, and supervise students in our graduate programs; and (3) support the collegial atmosphere and intellectual life of the department. The successful applicant must have, or be very near completion of, a doctorate in philosophy or in a related discipline by the time of appointment.

The normal teaching load in the Philosophy Department is 2 courses per term (4 per academic year), plus graduate supervision. For information about the Department of Philosophy at McMaster, see: https://philos.humanities.mcmaster.ca/.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research, teaching and service excellence. It is essential to engaging our diverse student body and intellectual community. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusive excellence.

Successful candidates will be joining a vibrant and networked campus community of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized scholars. This community is supported for example by the Indigenous Education Council, the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute, the African and Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM), and local Indigenous, African and Caribbean, and other community groups and organizations within the diverse Hamilton region. 

How to Apply:

• Submit (i) a letter of application, together with (ii) a curriculum vitae; (iii) a writing sample; (iv) a statement of research interests and plans; (v) a description of teaching experience, interests and philosophy; and (vi) 2-3 sample course syllabi.
• As for all faculty job searches at McMaster, please also submit (vii) a brief statement describing any contributions made or planned in relation to advancing equity, diversity and inclusive excellence in teaching, research, or service within higher education, community-based or other professional settings.
• Finally, please submit 3 letters of recommendation, guiding referees to comment on your record and potential in philosophical research, teaching, and service.
• Application materials must be submitted through the University’s electronic portal: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/current-opportunities/ (Faculty Positions, Job 41002). Applicants should arrange to have their letters of recommendation sent separately to [email protected].
• Complete applications received by the end of the day (11:59pm) on November 14, 2021 are assured of full consideration. However, the position will remain open until it is filled.

McMaster acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that affect an applicant’s record of achievement. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any such circumstances due to health, family, or other reasons, to allow for a fair assessment of their research and other contributions.

All applicants will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey, which takes approximately two minutes to complete. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. Inquiries about the Diversity Survey may be directed to [email protected].

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact McMaster’s Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247) or the Office of the Dean of Humanities (905-525-9140 ext. 27532) to communicate their accommodation needs.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements:

•         Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
•         No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Please direct any inquiries about the position to [email protected].