Linguistics - Assistant Professor (Indigenous Language(s) of Northwestern North America)

Simon Fraser University (SFU) respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Səlil̓wətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories our three campuses reside. The Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) also acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the many other Indigenous peoples where we collaborate in Indigenous language revitalization.

The Department of Linguistics and the Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Simon Fraser University (Burnaby Campus) invite applications for one tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor to start as early as July 15, 2025. The academic appointment will be a full-time position in the Department of Linguistics, and will be affiliated with the INLP.

The INLP was established by the SFU Senate and Board of Governors in 2018, following the university’s more than thirty-year engagement with Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia and Yukon Territory to support Indigenous language revitalization. Through partnerships with Indigenous community organizations, the INLP currently offers several undergraduate credentials, including a Certificate and Diploma in Indigenous Language Proficiency, and a B.A. with specialization in Indigenous language. In collaboration with the Department of Linguistics, we also offer a Graduate Certificate and M.A. program in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics (see https://www.sfu.ca/inlp.html).

In accordance with the INLP’s commitment to abide by the call of SFU’s Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee “to foster the development of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and methods” and pursuant to Section 42 of the B.C. Human Rights Code, preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous and who will bring research and teaching perspectives that come from the experience of those underrepresented in higher education, and particularly the experiences of Indigenous peoples. Such candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration are requested to self-identify in their application. Simon Fraser University is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applicants to fill out the Applicant Demographic Survey here https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/VSXZJJW  administered by the Equity Office. While participation is voluntary, your participation aids the Search Committee in ensuring equitable employment practices as specified in the job posting.

Qualifications
The successful candidate must hold a PhD in linguistics by the employment date. PhD candidates with solid indication of imminent completion may be hired at the rank of Instructor and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor upon completion of the PhD.

We welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to the existing research strengths in the Department and the Program as well as complement those strengths in new ways. The successful candidate must have demonstrated research experience in the linguistics of one or more Indigenous languages of northwestern North America. A record of work collaborating with Indigenous communities in language documentation and/or revitalization is considered an asset. The candidate will demonstrate the potential for developing a significant program of research and scholarship in the field of Indigenized community-based linguistic research.  Excellence in research through a proven record of publications, conference presentations, and/or other forms of knowledge dissemination appropriate to their career stage will be considered an asset.

The successful candidate must also have the ability to teach courses in general linguistics and the linguistics of an Indigenous language at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. This can be demonstrated through a teaching portfolio, including a statement of teaching philosophy, syllabi of courses taught, or courses proposed. The ideal candidate should also have experience teaching diverse Indigenous students (e.g. Indigenous students from remote communities) and will have experience developing Indigenized linguistic curricula.

Duties
Duties include maintaining an active program of research; teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in INLP; supervision of graduate students; participation in the collegial governance and intellectual life of the Linguistics Department, the INLP, the Faculty and the university; and service to the academic community or Indigenous community. The candidate is expected to teach most of their courses in the INLP.

Applications
Preference will be given to complete applications received by December 15, 2024, but we will continue to accept applications beyond that date until the position is filled.

SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, leave due to illness, research delays due to COVID-19) can impact research achievements and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions have impacted them.  

Simon Fraser University is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity reflected among its students, faculty, staff, and our community.” SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably. Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This position is subject to the availability of funding.  

The application must include the following: 

• Cover letter summarizing the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and interest in the position
• Current CV
• Research statement
• Teaching portfolio
• Candidates are encouraged, but not required, to submit a self-identification narrative/story of their Indigenous lived experience.

Candidates selected for interviews will be asked to arrange for 3 letters of reference to be sent to the Department. Applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in PDF format only as a single file. 

About SFU 
Simon Fraser University is in the top ten research universities in Canada and has ranked first in Maclean’s Comprehensive category for many years. Located in Metro Vancouver, SFU has three campuses, which are located on the unceded traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh (Squamish), səlidlw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ícəy̓ (Katzie), kwikwəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), qʼwa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), Səmyámə (Semiahmoo), and scə̓waθən (Tsawwassen) Peoples. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create a space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices. Vancouver is consistently rated among the top ten most livable cities in the world. 

Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range at the Assistant Professor rank is $104,700 to $133,322. Candidates for the Assistant Professor position must have a PhD; however, PhD candidates with a solid indication of imminent completion may be hired at the rank of Instructor and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor upon completion of the PhD. A reasonable estimate for the salary range if the successful candidate will be starting as an Instructor is $98,340 to $104,700.

Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice.