Job title: Canada Research Chair Tier II in Aging, Politics, and Public Policy
Position code: 23_C_POLI_M
Date posted: October 2, 2024
Application deadline: December 6, 2024
Advertised until: Position is filled

Position description:

The Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Aging, Politics, and Public Policy. This is a research-intensive tenure-track faculty position, and the incumbent will collaborate closely with engAGE, Concordia’s Research Centre on Aging. Concordia’s research strengths on the politics and policies for Empowered Aging are highlighted within the department of political science and engAGE, Concordia’s collaborative and interdisciplinary Centre for Research on Aging. Concordia also plays a leading role within the Centre for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology (CREGES). Montreal also boasts a vibrant and collegial network of inter-institutional aging research centres including Équipe VIES, the Quebec Network for Research on Aging (RQRV) and the Centre de recherche Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM). 

We are seeking candidates who exhibit outstanding research leadership on the politics and policies of aging and related topics from across a diversity of disciplinary fields.  Research areas include but are not limited to: the participation of older adults in political life; community engagement and advocacy of older adults; older adults in the workforce; transitions to retirement; the politics and policies of eldercare; the impact of the housing crisis on older adults; socio-cultural community programming for older adults; the accessibility of older adults to public transportation services; the consequences of AI and digital and smart environments on the life of older adults; the social and economic challenges of older adults belonging to racialized and ethnocultural minorities and/or the LGBTQ+ community. The successful candidate will join a vibrant network of multidisciplinary researchers across the four faculties at Concordia focused on all aspects of aging. 

Qualifications and assets 

Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. in Political Science or in a relevant social sciences discipline with a record of established scholarship in political science and/or public policy with an aging-focused research program. The successful candidate will be an exceptional emerging leader in the field and will provide evidence of an outstanding record of research and peer-reviewed publications as well as a demonstrated ability to secure substantial external funding for an evolving research program. The successful candidate will attract high quality research students and trainees, and achieve international recognition as required by the CRC Tier II program. The successful candidate will also provide strong evidence of teaching excellence and successful mentorship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Since the successful candidate will operate in a scholarly environment committed to transdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, demonstrating potential for collaborative research with older adults and the organisations that represent them will be an asset. The hiring committee will take into full consideration career stage, career breaks and special circumstances.

Candidates eligible for Tier II chair positions must be excellent emerging scholars within 10 years of their highest degree at the time of nomination (exclusive of career interruptions).  Potential Tier II candidates who are more than 10 years from their highest degree should take note that certain career interruptions may still make them eligible for nomination. Potential candidates are encouraged to submit a formal justification by means of the Tier II Justification Assessment Form, which will be considered in the review of applications. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria and acceptable justifications to the extension of the eligibility term.

Notwithstanding the above and irrespective of their submission of a formal justification, candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals (such as the decision to have a family, eldercare, illness, and so forth) in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.               

How to Apply 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements: 

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

or 

No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Application packages should be addressed to Dr. Daniel Salée, Chair, Department of Political Science and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (23_C_POLI_M), a current curriculum vitae, a writing sample, a statement of teaching philosophy/interests with evidence of teaching effectiveness, a statement of research achievements/interests, three letters of reference, and a statement on how the candidate hopes to contribute to Concordia’s institutional commitment to research and knowledge mobilization on aging, politics, and public policy. Applications should be submitted electronically to PoliticalScience.Chair@concordia.ca with the subject heading CRC application, by December 6, 2024, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence in August 2025. 

Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their cover letter how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society. 

Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to: 

• teaching about underrepresented populations 
• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds 
• committee work 
• offering or organizing educational programming 
• participation in training and workshops 

All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.