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Assistant Profressor

The Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The expected start date is July 15, 2026.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate for this appointment with expertise in the ancient and/or medieval religious traditions of East and/or South Asia, with research competence in at least one ancient language, and the demonstrated capacity to teach across cultural milieus, engage a diverse student body, and bring ancient thought into contemporary relevance. 

Excellence in research and teaching are the primary criteria for this position. Candidates must have completed their PhD in Asian Studies, Religious Studies or a closely related humanistic discipline by the employment start date.

The candidate must demonstrate the following:

• A strong record of research productivity commensurate with their experience 

• Establishment of, or potential for, a successful research program

• Potential for excellence in teaching at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum 

• Potential supervision of graduate students in our MA program 

• Potential for contributing to the Department, Faculty, University and the academic community, or demonstrated contributions to the academic community

Duties

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the University’s research excellence through a rigorous research program. The candidate will be expected to teach across the undergraduate curriculum (in person and online), including introductory courses in global humanities and religious studies and upper-division offerings in Asian religious texts and traditions, and to supervise MA students. A normal teaching load for a tenure-track faculty member is an equivalent of four courses per year over two 13-week semesters. Finally, it is expected that the successful candidate will contribute to the Department, Faculty, University, and the academic community through service.

Application Requirements

Applicants will submit electronically the following materials: 

• A cover letter

• A full curriculum vitae 

• A research statement

• A writing sample 

• A statement of teaching philosophy that reflects on both undergraduate teaching and graduate mentorship

• One full syllabus from a previously taught course or a course that the candidate would like to teach

In addition, please arrange for three referees to submit confidential letters of reference to be sent to (humusec@sfu.ca).

Application materials should be sent as separate PDF documents via e-mail to Dr. Paul Garfinkel, Chair of the Department of Global Humanities, c/o the Chair’s Secretary (humusec@sfu.ca). Inquiries about the search may be directed to Dr. Garfinkel (humchair@sfu.ca).

Review of complete applications will begin on November 23, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

About the Department 

The Department of Global Humanities is an interdisciplinary unit that includes specialists in Classics; Archaeology; Art History; Byzantine, Hellenic, Renaissance and Italian Studies; Religious Studies; Environmental Humanities; Asian, European and transnational literature and film; and Critical Theory. The Department is increasingly interested in non-Western traditions of thought and culture.

Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. The current salary ranges are based on the 2022-2025 SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for an Assistant Professor position is $104,700 – $133,322. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

We acknowledge the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ), Katzie (q̓ íc̓əy̓), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University's three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact the Equity Office at EDI@SFU.CA

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.

Please note that all Sessional Instructor positions involve membership in the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU); and are subject to both sufficient enrollment in the course and budgetary authorization. The Humanities Department follows Article XIV (E.2) of the TSSU-SFU Collective Agreement when hiring Sessional Instructors.

Available positions are generally posted on the Human Resources website in mid-October for the Spring term, mid-February for the Summer term, and mid-May for the Fall term.

Please note that "W" courses entail an increased workload and receive an extra base-unit remuneration to reflect this. All posted positions are subject to both sufficient enrollment in the course and budgetary authorization.

Priority of qualified applicants to TA positions in the Department of Global Humanities is in accordance with Article XIII and Article XV of the TSSU-SFU Collective Agreement. Graduate students new to SFU, admitted to either the HUM MA or PhD programs, will have priority for introductory Humanities TA assignments.