Psychology - Assistant or Associate Professor (Psychedelic Studies)

The School of Psychology promotes research and training excellence. Our professors lead major laboratories, research centres, and institutes. The School of Psychology comprises a strong undergraduate program two MA programs one of which has a Coop component as well as two outstanding doctoral programs: Experimental Psychology and Clinical Psychology. All programs are offered in French and/or English. Finally, the School is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognize that systemic barriers have prevented many qualified people of colour, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups from fully participating in academia, and we are striving to increase the diversity of the School of Psychology to better represent the Ottawa region and the country.

The Faculty of Social Sciences comprises nine departments, schools and institutes, which offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in both English and French. With its 10,000 students, 260 full-time professors, and wide array of programs, the Faculty of Social Sciences plays a key role at the heart of the University of Ottawa. Its graduate students are supervised by excellent researchers and undertake cutting-edge research in the Faculty’s masters and Ph.D. programs.

Description of the position:
The School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa is accepting applications one (1) tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor to take an active role in the psychedelic studies programing at the University of Ottawa. These are interdisciplinary programs, housed in the School of Psychology, that include a microprogram in Psychedelic Science, a master’s program in Psychedelics & Consciousness Studies, and a (forthcoming) graduate diploma in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies.

The ideal candidate will have an interdisciplinary background and demonstrated knowledge in three or more of the following areas: psychological understandings of psychedelic medicine and psychedelic psychotherapies, psychopharmacology, mental health, neuroscience, end-of-life issues, religio-cultural perspectives of psychedelic plant medicine, Indigenous modalities of healing, philosophy of religion, cultural anthropology, and/or spirituality. 

The selected candidate will have access to the newly renovated Laboratory for Psychedelic Clinical Research, complete with psychotherapy and medical exam space, and state-of-the-art research equipment and technology. The primary affiliation of the scholar will be in Psychology, but could have cross-appointments in Religious Studies, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Palliative Care, or other related disciplines.

Duties:  

• Conduct timely and innovative research and publishing activities.
• Teach various graduate courses related to psychedelic studies.
• Supervise diverse Master’s Research Projects and Ph.D. candidates.
• Participate in the University’s academic and administrative activities.
• Carry out other activities as specified in the collective agreement.

Qualifications:

• Completed Ph.D. in Psychology, or a related field (e.g., M.D. with specialty in Psychiatry).
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and training.
• Strong publication and research track record in the field.
• Demonstrated experience with people from racialized and other marginalized groups as research participants and trainees.
• Bilingualism - Candidates must be able to teach and train in both official languages (French and English) at time of hire.

Terms: Tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Note that tenure is conditional on active knowledge of Canada's two official languages (English and French).
Salary: Salary scale for an assistant professor starts at $94,588 (as of May 1, 2023). Salary scale for an associate professor starts at $104,487 (as of May 1, 2023).
Starting date: July 1, 2025
Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package, which includes long-term disability leave, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, a pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as relocation expenses.
Location of work: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5 
Contact information: Sylvain Gagnon, Director, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5. Email [email protected]. Telephone: 613 562 5801.

Application deadline: February 28, 2025

The Selection Committee will review applications until February 28, 2025. Any application received after this date may not be considered.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the University of Ottawa Academic Careers website at this link.

Application requirements:
A complete application file must include the following as a single PDF file:

• curriculum vitae
• a letter describing their teaching and research experience and interests
• a statement regarding their related experience with and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• an example of their current research (i.e., a peer-reviewed publication)
• samples of teaching evaluations
• a clear statement of their fluency in French and English.

Applicants must be prepared to have three referees submit letters of reference upon request from the Selection Committee of the School.

University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual public university located in the heart of the Canadian capital, Ottawa. Strongly focused on research, the University of Ottawa is ranked among the top ten national universities and is the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. It has nearly 40,000 undergraduate students and more than 8,000 graduate students, for whom courses and programs are offered in both languages. The University of Ottawa values inclusion and is looking for talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.

The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the best research universities in the country and the largest bilingual (French and English) university in the world. Located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes greatly to the economy, culture and quality of life of Canada's capital.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.

In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.