"Assistant Professor in Political Science"

The Department of Political Science at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a continuing full-time tenure track research faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor starting in July 2026. The appointment may be 100% in the Department of Political Science or a joint appointment of 75% in the Department of Political Science and 25% in the Department of Psychology. This position is part of the Department of Political Science’s long-term effort to build an experimental political psychology group, including a new experimental methods laboratory.

Pursuant to Section 42 of the B.C. Human Rights Code, preference will be given to candidates who identify as a woman. Simon Fraser University is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion. We ask applicants to fill out the Applicant Demographic Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/SJFP2SV) administered by the Equity Office. While participation is voluntary, your participation aids the Search Committee in ensuring equitable employment practices as specified in the job posting. Please use this survey to indicate if you qualify for preferential consideration (i.e., identify as a woman).

Qualifications
Excellence in research and teaching are the primary criteria for this position. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Political Science, Social Psychology, or an aligned field in hand on the appointment start date. Ph.D. candidates with solid indication of imminent completion may be hired at the rank of Instructor and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor upon completion of the Ph.D.

The successful candidate will demonstrate high-quality scholarly output in research in Political Psychology with expertise in experimental methods. Output includes publications in well-recognized journals and/or successfully obtaining grants.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate excellence in and/or strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an ongoing commitment to academic and pedagogical excellence in support of the department programs. They will also demonstrate the potential to teach an Introduction to Political Psychology course at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Duties
The successful candidate is expected to carry out an independent research program yielding significant peer-reviewed publications, and to compete successfully for external funding to support this research program. Research that aligns with SFU’s Strategic Research Plan will be a strength. This includes rigorous data collection and analysis; interdisciplinary projects; and community-based policy research. The ideal candidate may also conduct research that aligns with SFU’s core research challenges to understand our origins and strengthen civil society by advancing justice, equality, and social responsibility.

At the undergraduate level, the appointee would be expected to teach courses in political science, including introductory courses in political science, research design, and methodology and statistics, among others. At the graduate level, the appointee will teach courses as part of the Masters and the Ph.D. program in Political Science, and is expected to supervise graduate students in their areas of research expertise. If a joint appointment, the successful candidate will also conduct research, teach and supervise students in the Department of Psychology.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the department’s supportive and collegial working environment, and to make substantive contributions through service to the department, the Faculty, the University, and/or the broader community.

For more information about the Department of Political Science, please visit https://www.sfu.ca/politics.html. For more information about the Department of Psychology, please visit https://www.sfu.ca/psychology.html.

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.

Candidates must submit the following documents in a single PDF to pol_apply@sfu.ca:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of research, including experience in conducting experimental methods
• A description of how you would contribute to promoting a culture of inclusive excellence through your teaching, research, or service – for example, how you support inclusive teaching practices or how you take into consideration biases/barriers that may be present in research
• Teaching Dossier providing evidence of teaching excellence
• Academic writing sample
• List of three possible referees, to be contacted if the candidate is shortlisted
• Applicants are encouraged to complete the Applicant Demographic Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/VSXZJJW)

Applications will be reviewed starting on October 14, 2025 and will be accepted until the position has been filled. Preference will be given to applications received by that date. The Search Committee anticipates a two-step interview process, with Zoom interviews in the first stage followed by a second stage of in-person interviews.

Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for the Assistant Professor rank is $104,700 to $153,322. PhD candidates with solid indication of imminent completion may be hired at the rank of Instructor and will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor upon completion of the PhD. A reasonable estimate of the salary range at the Instructor rank is $98,340 to $124,700. Both estimates are dependent on experience and are inclusive of a market differential. The current salary range is based on the 2022-25 SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement.

This is an entry level position. The position is subject to availability of funding.

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