Assistant Professor in the Department of Studio Arts

Job title: Assistant Professor in the Department of Studio Arts  
Position code: 24-R-STUDIO-O
Date posted: September 27, 2024
Application deadline: January 6, 2025
Advertised until: Position is filled

Position description:

The Department of Studio Arts in the Faculty of Fine Arts invites applications to fill a tenure-track position in Painting at the rank of Assistant Professor, ideally to begin August 1, 2025. Other start dates may be considered. Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and service to the institution.

A distinguished area within the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Painting and Drawing program is the largest area in the Department of Studio Arts, with an undergraduate enrolment of over 1,200 students. The program is also a leader in promoting contemporary art practices based on an expanded concept of the field, incorporating performative, object-oriented, time- and discipline-based approaches. 

We are seeking applicants with a focus and core specialization in painting alongside an established record of national and international projects and exhibitions. Additional research pursuits in one or more other Studio Art areas, such as drawing, installation, sculpture, fibres, ceramics, video, new media, print and/or performance will be seen as advantageous. The successful candidate will be an artist/researcher with expertise in teaching painting courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, who employs one or more of the following approaches: painting materials and methods, colour theory and application, contemporary discourses in painting including modernist, post-modernist, post-colonial, and/or other current approaches. The ideal candidate will also be a committed pedagogue who can reframe the physical/psychological/virtual spaces of contemporary painting practices with inclusive principles and practices. Since this position will play a strategic role in the development and creation of new curriculum and research initiatives both within and outside the department, preference will be given to candidates with the strongest artistic research record who also demonstrate evidence of potential to meet the collaborative leadership goals of the program and the department. 

In addition to teaching duties, the successful candidate will be expected to supervise graduate students and participate in all levels of curriculum development. The incumbent will be required to work closely with colleagues to support regular program activities and further advance the Painting and Drawing program as well as the Department of Studio Arts. Over time, program stewardship will be expected.

Qualifications and assets 

Candidates for this position must have an MFA degree or equivalent, a strong exhibition record, and a minimum of two years university teaching experience relevant to the position. A solid background in art theory and criticism including a contemporary understanding of extended and discipline-based approaches to painting practices are essential. Other required qualifications include evidence of experience working directly with graduate students, proven administrative experience, and a clear commitment to collegial governance and service.  The successful candidate will demonstrate strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and provide evidence of high-quality scholarly and creative output for securing external research funding. The ability to work collaboratively and contribute to program operations is also required.  

Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals 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

Applications should be submitted electronically to jobs.studioarts@concordia.ca on or before January 6, 2025, but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Submissions should consist of a single PDF file and include the following items in the order specified below: 

• A cover letter clearly identifying the job title and position code (24-R-STUDIO-O) 
• A complete updated curriculum vitae 
• A research statement
• Documentation of artwork (20 images)
• A teaching statement that includes the applicant’s teaching philosophy and interest as well as approaches to mentorship
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness—e.g., three or more teaching evaluations (statistical information only), sample assignments and/or two examples of course syllabi, along with documentation of student work (20 images)
• The names and contact information of three professional referees
• Declaration: “Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada” or “No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada” 

All inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Surabhi Ghosh, Chair, Department of Studio Arts at chair.studioarts@concordia.ca.

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.