Assistant Professor (EXPIRED)

Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University

The Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University invites highly qualified candidates to apply for a professorial stream tenure-track appointment in Philosophy of Cognitive Science (construed broadly to include, for example, philosophy of animal cognition, philosophy of AI and computation, philosophy of cultural psychology, philosophy of perception, philosophy of linguistics, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of neuroscience, and philosophy of other mind sciences) at the Assistant level, to commence July 1, 2023. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.

The Department of Philosophy has a strong research group studying minds from an empirically informed perspective and oversees the undergraduate Cognitive Science Program. The Department and the Faculty will support the successful candidate’s teaching, service, and research programs, assist with grant development, and fund conference travel in order to help the candidate develop their career. The successful candidate will join a department with colleagues who are actively working towards equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, and will support the successful candidate to help achieve these goals in their own career.

A PhD in Philosophy or a related field is required by July 1, 2023.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate research excellence or promise of research excellence in the philosophy of cognitive science. Materials used to assess excellence or promise of excellence include: the research statement; the writing sample; a record of publications or late-round revisions with leading journals in the field; presentations at major conferences; awards and accolades; successful grant proposals; public impact (e.g. in affecting policy, publishing op-eds, etc.), service to the research community. After the long list stage, letters of recommendation and interviews will also be used to assess excellence or promise of excellence.

We seek to appoint an outstanding researcher as part of the university’s strategic commitment to accelerate York’s progress toward being recognized nationally and internationally as a top comprehensive, research-intensive university. The Dean is able to offer enhanced research support for the first three years of this appointment.

The position will involve graduate teaching and supervision, as well as undergraduate teaching, and the successful candidate must be suitable for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses offered through the Cognitive Science Program during the academic year (September-April). Candidates will be expected to teach the following courses: Minds, Brains, and Machines (an introduction to cognitive science), Honours Seminar in Cognitive Science (a capstone seminar which involves supervising students on their thesis projects), as well as at least three of the following: Philosophy of Psychology, Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Neuroscience, and Animals and the Philosophy of Mind. Teaching load for research active colleagues is four courses each academic year. 

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate teaching excellence or promise of teaching excellence. Materials used to assess excellence or promise of excellence include: the teaching statement and cover letter; sample syllabi; teaching experience; awards; pedagogical innovations such as experiential education, opportunities and engagement with students outside the classroom, or the use of technology to enhance learning. After the long list stage letters of recommendation and interviews will also be used to assess excellence or promise of excellence.

The successful candidate will also give evidence of their ability to provide service to the Cognitive Science Program. Evidence can include experience running speaker series, workshops, student clubs, curriculum development, or other departmental activities, or administrative experience. The successful candidate will demonstrate their commitment to the academic and community life of the department, including the needs of our diverse student body and our departmental commitment to philosophical inquiry, broadly construed, in diverse intellectual traditions.

York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet and our future.

York University has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and to expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Candidates who require accommodation during the selection process are invited to contact Professor Kristin Andrews, Chair of the Search Committee at [email protected].

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or by calling the AA line at 416-736-5713. Applicants wishing to self-identify as part of York University’s Affirmative Action program can do so by downloading, completing and submitting this voluntary self-identification form. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples in Canada will be given priority. No application will be considered without a completed mandatory Work Status Declaration form.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is October 31, 2022.  

Application, including a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a research statement (describing dissertation research and future plans), a teaching portfolio (including sample syllabi and a description of pedagogical approaches and plans), a writing sample, and at least three letters of reference, may be uploaded to https://apply.laps.yorku.ca beginning on September 26, 2022.

Questions may be directed to Professor Michael Giudice, Chair, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. Email: [email protected] (Subject line: Position in Cognitive Science).