Political Science - Assistant Professor (Contemporary Political Theory)

Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities
Tenure-Track
Posting #FAPOLS01-24 CW

The University of Northern British Columbia invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Department of Political Science at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2025. As an institution committed to the fostering of an inclusive and transformative learning environment, UNBC values high quality and growth in both teaching and scholarship.

The Department of Political Science is seeking a scholar in the field of Political Theory who specializes in Contemporary Political Theory. Applicants must also be able to teach the History of Ideas. Applicants who can teach in an additional subfield of Political Science will be of particular interest. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for teaching core courses in Political Theory and specialized courses in their areas of expertise. They will also coordinate the Department’s Minor in Philosophy program.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Political Theory, demonstrated teaching experience, an active program of research in the field of Contemporary Political Theory that complements their teaching and promotes the Department and the University nationally and internationally, and a strong publication record and plan for future research.

The Department offers programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts and a Minor in Political Science, several undergraduate joint majors with other programs of study at UNBC, a Minor in Philosophy and a Certificate in Local Government Administration.  For more information, visit our website at https://www.unbc.ca/political-science.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity
The University of Northern British Columbia is fully committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that is accessible to all. We are devoted to ensuring a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. This commitment is woven into our motto and mission. In the Dakelh language, UNBC’s motto ‘En Cha Huná translates to “he/she/they also live” and means respect for all living things. Through respect for all living things, we are able to grow and learn better together, each bringing our own unique individual differences and contributions to inspire leaders for tomorrow by influencing the world today.

Employment equity requires that we remove barriers and overcome both direct and indirect discrimination. In this way, the pool of excellent candidates increases substantially. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person

About the University and its Community
Since its founding in 1990, the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has emerged as one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, with a passion for teaching, discovery, people, and the North. UNBC’s excellence is derived from community-inspired research, hands-on learning, and alumni who are leading change around the world.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have walked gently on the diverse traditional territories where the University of Northern British Columbia community is grateful to live, work, learn, and play. We are committed to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous peoples, we acknowledge their traditional lands, and we thank them for their hospitality. UNBC’s largest campus in Prince George is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, in the spectacular landscape near the geographic centre of beautiful British Columbia.

UNBC’s three regional campuses are located in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. The South-Central campus in Quesnel is situated on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff Band), Nazko, Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus Band), and Esdilagh First Nations (formerly Alexandria Band). Lhtako, Nazko, and Lhoosk’uz are Dakelh First Nations, and Esdilagh is a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Peace River-Liard campus in Fort St. John is situated on the traditional territory of the Doig River, Blueberry River and Halfway River First Nations. They are the Dunne-Za people. The Northwest campus in Terrace is situated on traditional Ts’msyen (Tsimshian) territory of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. It includes a satellite campus in the coastal community of Prince Rupert.  

UNBC consistently ranks in the top three in its category in the annual Maclean’s university rankings. UNBC also recently placed among the top five per cent of higher education institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.  

With a diverse student population, the University is friendly, inclusive, and supportive. Prince George is a city of ~74,000 people with impressive cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. For more information about living and working in Prince George, please refer to http://www.unbc.ca/experience and https://moveupprincegeorge.ca. Make your mark with this leading post-secondary institution.

Salary
The salary for this position will be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience as per the UNBC Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The annual salary range for this position is expected to be from $85,473 to $123,948. Please refer to the link below to the Collective Agreement for more compensation information: https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/facultyassociationcollectiveagreementjuly12023-june302025-revised.pdf

To Apply
Applicants should forward the following documents to [email protected] or mail to Office of the Provost quoting the posting number (#FAPOLS01-24 CW):

• cover letter indicating potential contributions to the Program;
• curriculum vitae;
• a teaching dossier (including a brief statement outlining teaching approaches/philosophy, a writing-focused sample course outline, and a peer letter or review/evaluations of teaching);
• a statement outlining the applicant’s research program;
• the names and addresses of three references (including telephone and email information); and
• the Statement of Eligibility to Work in Canada form, which can be found here: https://www2.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/statementofemploymenteligibilityjan0520221.pdf.

Voluntary Form:

• the Self-Identification form, which can be found here: https://www.unbc.ca/sites/default/files/sections/human-resources/unbcself-idreviseddec2022-fillable.pdf

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact UNBC Health & Wellbeing at [email protected].  Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Mail Submissions:        
Office of the Provost, University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way, Prince George, B.C., V2N 4Z9
Email Submissions:  [email protected]
Inquiries:  Dr. Gary Wilson, Chair – Department of Political Science
[email protected]  

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in UNBC. However, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted

Applications received on or before January 31, 2025, will receive full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.