Working at SFU, your next career step!

🎓 Overview of Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU), located primarily on Burnaby Mountain in British Columbia, Canada, is a leading public research university founded in 1965. Named after the explorer Simon Fraser, it has grown into a hub for innovative education and research, with additional campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. SFU is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, sustainability initiatives, and commitment to community engagement. The university enrolls over 37,000 students and employs thousands in faculty, research, and administrative roles. Jobs at Simon Fraser University attract academics worldwide due to its high research output, ranking among Canada's top comprehensive universities, and focus on real-world impact.

In Burnaby, the main campus spans 1.7 square kilometers amid forests, offering a unique blend of urban accessibility and natural beauty. SFU's strategic plan emphasizes equity, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and global challenges like climate change, influencing hiring priorities for jobs.

📈 Types of Jobs at Simon Fraser University

Jobs at Simon Fraser University span faculty, research, teaching, and support positions. Faculty roles include tenure-track assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors across eight faculties: Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Beedie School of Business, Communication, Art and Technology, Education, Environment, Health Sciences, Science, and Criminology. Research positions like postdoctoral fellows and research associates are common in labs focusing on AI, neuroscience, and environmental modeling.

Teaching-focused jobs include lecturers and sessional instructors, while administrative roles cover HR, finance, and student services. For a deeper dive into university job types, common categories include research assistant jobs and higher-ed admin positions. SFU also offers remote higher-ed jobs in some areas.

• Tenure-track faculty: Permanent positions with research, teaching, and service duties.
• Postdocs: Temporary roles for recent PhDs to advance research.
• Staff positions: Ongoing roles in operations and support.

SFU posts openings on its career site and platforms like higher-ed jobs boards.

Definitions

To understand jobs at Simon Fraser University, key terms include:

• Tenure-track position: A faculty role leading to tenure after 5-7 years of review based on research, teaching, and service; offers job security.
• Postdoctoral fellowship (postdoc): A 1-3 year research position post-PhD, often funded by grants, focusing on publications and career development.
• Sessional instructor: Part-time teaching role per term, without research duties.
• Research associate: Supports principal investigators on projects, requiring advanced degrees and expertise.

🔬 Required Qualifications, Research Focus, Experience, and Skills for SFU Jobs

Jobs at Simon Fraser University demand rigorous qualifications tailored to Canada's academic standards.

Required academic qualifications: A PhD in the relevant field is essential for faculty and postdoc roles. For lecturer jobs, a master's may suffice with teaching experience.

Research focus or expertise needed: SFU prioritizes areas like sustainable energy (e.g., Big Data for climate modeling), computing science (AI and cybersecurity), health sciences (biomedical engineering), and social justice. Candidates should align with clusters like the President's Strategic Faculty Recruitment in Equity.

Preferred experience: Publications in top journals (e.g., Nature, PNAS), securing grants from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) or CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), postdoctoral experience, and teaching diverse students.

Skills and competencies:

• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Grant writing and project management.
• Teaching innovation, including online formats.
• Data analysis tools like Python or R.
• Commitment to EDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion).

Explore research jobs or faculty positions for specifics.

📋 Application Process and Tips for Jobs at SFU

The application process for jobs at Simon Fraser University is competitive and multi-stage. Submit via SFU's Workday portal: CV, cover letter, research/teaching statements, three references, and diversity statement. Deadlines are strict, often November-January for faculty.

Actionable tips:

1. Customize your CV using our free resume template and follow how to write a winning academic CV.
2. Highlight Canadian research council funding or collaborations.
3. Prepare for job talks: 45-minute research seminar and teaching demo.
4. Address SFU's values: sustainability, Indigenous engagement.
5. Follow up politely; network at conferences.

International applicants need study permits or work visas; SFU supports via immigration advice.

🌈 Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives at SFU

SFU champions diversity through its EDI Action Plan, aiming for equitable hiring. Specific examples include:

• Tri-Agency Institutional Program for EDI in faculty recruitment.
• Indigenous Student Centre and hiring targets for First Nations scholars.
• Women in Leadership program and gender-balanced committees.
• LGBTQ+ resources and accessibility services.
• Recent hires: 40% from equity-deserving groups in priority searches.

These initiatives ensure inclusive campuses, benefiting all employees.

⚖️ Work-Life Balance and Campus Life at SFU

SFU promotes work-life balance with flexible hours, generous parental leave (up to 78 weeks shared), and wellness programs. Benefits include health/dental coverage, RRSP matching, and 35-hour workweeks.

The Burnaby campus features AQ gym, pools, trails for hiking/skiing, and aquatics centre. Vancouver's Woodward's campus offers urban vibe near downtown. Surrey focuses on tech. Employee perks: transit pass subsidies, childcare, and cultural events. Burnaby's proximity to Vancouver (30-min SkyTrain) enables city access while enjoying mountain views and nature. Community events foster belonging, with high employee satisfaction ratings.

Learn more about higher-ed career advice.

🏔️ Why Pursue Jobs at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC

Burnaby, in British Columbia, offers affordable housing (compared to Vancouver), diverse cuisine, and parks like Deer Lake. BC's research ecosystem, with funding from provincial bodies, enhances opportunities. SFU's co-op program integrates work experience, preparing hires for success.

Recent highlights: SFU researchers led in COVID modeling and sustainable urban planning. Salaries competitive: Assistant professors ~CAD 110,000; check university salaries.

Summary

Jobs at Simon Fraser University provide exciting prospects in a dynamic Canadian setting. Whether seeking higher-ed jobs, faculty roles, or research positions, SFU stands out. Leverage higher-ed career advice, browse university jobs, or if hiring, visit recruitment and post a job.