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 Assistant Professor appointment in an open research field of literatures in English, one that would enable the successful candidate to contribute to our recently renewed curriculum. This position’s parameters are deliberately broad. We aim to attract a range of candidates who can engage with the theories and methodologies currently informing their chosen field and convey to students the excitement and urgency of such engagement. In keeping with the Department’s commitment to equity and diversity, this position will be limited to Black people and people of colour. The position will commence 1 July 2026.

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 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. Tenure-track and tenured research-stream faculty have a 2/2 teaching allocation; they are expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, to maintain an active research agenda, and to participate in university and professional service.

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 to $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 literatures in English
a demonstrated capacity for scholarship in the study of literatures in English
evidence of excellent teaching ability or excellent teaching potential 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

The following are considered assets:

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 groups: Black people and people of colour. Our search committee will review the pool of applications from those who self-identify with one of these designated groups. Candidates from these groups must self-identify in their cover letter to be considered for this position.

Additional information

The successful candidate will join a vibrant community of over 30 scholars in the Department of English who research and teach on a broad range of topics in literature and culture. Here are some additional links and information about the university:

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 (www.uvicfa.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; if you are neither a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, please indicate if you are authorized to work in Canada, and be prepared to provide a copy of your permit authorizing same.

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:

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

To be considered, application packages must be received by midnight PDT on 31 October 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

October 31, 2025

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.