Assistant Professor

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. The University of Victoria is committed to the ongoing work of decolonizing and Indigenizing the campus community both inside and outside the classroom, as evidenced in the University’s Indigenous Plan, the 2022 appointment of Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas as the first Vice President Indigenous, and over 70 Indigenous faculty members.

The Department of English invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Indigenous Literatures and Cultures with a strong focus on Indigenous literary practices, pedagogies, and ways of knowing. We seek a colleague with existing relationships with local First Nations and/or a strong commitment to building them. Given our location, the Department’s greatest teaching need exists in the area of North American Indigenous literary practices and studies. The position will commence 1 July 2026 and will be limited to Indigenous candidates.

Salary Range
The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $105,000 - $130,000. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

Requirements

Qualified candidates will have

• a PhD (in hand or provide solid evidence of imminent completion) in an area of Indigenous Literatures and Cultures
• a demonstrated capacity for scholarship using Indigenous methodologies in the study of Indigenous Literatures
• evidence of excellent teaching ability or excellent teaching potential with a commitment to Indigenous and non-Indigenous pedagogies in diverse contexts
• a capacity to supervise and mentor students
• a commitment to participating in program development and curricular innovations, as well as to advocating in these domains
• a commitment to ethical engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities, organizations, and/or institutions

The following are considered assets:

• a demonstrated capacity for using Indigenous methodologies in the study and the teaching of Indigenous Literatures of North America
• evidence of service to the discipline and/or the university
• demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, colleagues, and/or communities beyond the university

In accordance with the University’s Equity Plan and pursuant to section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to members of the following designated group: Indigenous peoples. Applicants are required to provide information to verify their Indigenous identity and will be expected to elaborate on the written information if invited to an interview. Lived experience within Indigenous nations and communities is foundational to the knowledge of and research within the field of Indigenous literatures, locally, nationally and internationally.

The Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI) is drafting a policy and developing a process to affirm declarations of Indigenous identity, citizenship and membership at UVic where these claims result in material advantages, such as employment in an Indigenous-specific position. While the forthcoming policy can not be retroactively applied to this opportunity, the successful candidate will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process should they apply for, or access, future opportunities resulting in material gain.

For more information about the ICD initiative, please visit this website and please feel free to reach out to vpiicd@uvic.ca if you have specific question or concerns.

Additional information

The University of Victoria, one of Canada’s leading comprehensive institutions with a reputation for excellence in research and teaching, is known for its diverse Indigenous faculty and staff from both local communities and around the world. In 2023, the University updated its Indigenous Plan, continuing to strengthen Indigenous education and committing to support and honour Indigenous rights. The National Centre for Indigenous Laws is slated to open at the University in 2025 and will house the world’s first law program to combine the study of Indigenous and non-Indigenous laws. In 2017-22, the Faculty of Humanities established its Indigenization Implementation Strategy, which focused on decolonizing and Indigenizing both faculty structures and programs.

The Department of English shares the University’s commitments to supporting Indigenous faculty, staff, and students; to strengthening Indigenous education; and to continuing our efforts at decolonization and Indigenization. A recent example is the development of the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program, with Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ Dene) serving as the first Storyteller in Residence. This cross-campus and public-engagement initiative originated in the Department of English in collaboration with colleagues and students in Indigenous Studies and beyond.

The Department of English has recently undertaken a substantial undergraduate curriculum renewal in response to student and faculty demand. We are eager to hire an energetic scholar who would contribute to our newly expansive curriculum (which includes upper-year courses on Indigenous Literatures and Indigenous Storytelling) and develop innovative upper-year and graduate courses in their specific area of research expertise. The Department is strongly committed to excellence and equity as well as to increasing the diversity of approaches and perspectives in research and teaching.

Faculty and Librarians at the University of Victoria are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the University of Victoria Faculty Association.

Contact information

To be considered, please send the following materials (electronic only, in PDF or Word format) to the the Chair of English (Dr. Mary Elizabeth Leighton) at englchr@uvic.ca:

1. A cover letter, including a statement of your current research interests;
2. A complete curriculum vitae;
3. A 15-20 pp writing/publication sample;
4. A teaching dossier (including a 1-page statement of teaching philosophy, a sample syllabus, and, if available, teaching evaluations);
5. A list of three referees and their contact information

To be considered, application packages must be received by midnight PST on 14 November 2025. Longlisted applicants will be asked to have confidential letters sent from three referees.

Please note that reference checks will be done, and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

Application deadline

Equity statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read our full equity statement.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.