Assistant Professor of Skills Education

Position Description

The Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University invites applications for a two-year, contractually limited appointment as Assistant Professor of Skills Education with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will teach 21 units (equal to seven one-term courses). We seek applicants who are well positioned to develop and teach courses for our Humanities Concurrent Certificate: Skills for Life and to provide overall coordination for administration of the certificate.  Preference will be given to candidates with a PhD in a Humanities discipline and a strong background in teaching and learning, and in skills pedagogy in particular. Experience in active learning pedagogy and teaching large classes in active-learning classrooms is desirable.

In the Faculty of Humanities, our students gain the knowledge, skills, and world-class connections they need to succeed in a wide range of careers or further studies. The new Skills for Life certificate is a required component of the Humanities degree and focuses on foundational skills that are critical to student success – both academically and in their career. These are skills that employers regularly include among the skills they most value, like critical thinking and self-reflection, leadership, written and oral communication, digital literacy, adaptability and resiliency, diversity and intercultural understanding, social innovation and social change, problem solving, and teamwork and collaboration. Applicants, who must have a completed or nearly completed PhD, must demonstrate how their training and teaching interests connect to skills learning. Full details about the certificate may be found at: https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=56&poid=28626

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is one of only four Canadian universities consistently ranked in the Top 100 in the world.  A research-intensive university, McMaster is dedicated to teaching, learning and service. With a total full-time student population of close to 28,000, McMaster welcomes students from 98 countries as well as Canada.  The Faculty of Humanities offers 16 undergraduate and 17 graduate programs in the departments of Greek and Roman Studies; Linguistics and Language; Communication Studies and Media Arts; English and Cultural Studies; French; History; Philosophy; and the School of the Arts. https://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/

How to Apply:

Please submit the following materials to the attention of Dr. Sean Corner, Associate Dean , Undergraduate Studies in ONE PDF file: through the University’s electronic portal: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/ Job Opening #75612 by June 1, 2026.

Interested applicants must submit the following documentation in ONE PDF file:

• a letter of application demonstrating how the candidate’s training, teaching and other experience prepares them to teach in and lead our undergraduate Skills for Life certificate;
• complete curriculum vitae;
• statement describing how the candidate has or will advance the University’s commitment to building an inclusive community and to fostering a culture which embraces and promotes the rich diversity of the campus community;
• sample course outlines for:
  • HUMAN 1DL3 - Digital Literacy for the Humanities,
  • HUMAN 1HL3 - Humanities for Life: The Value of a Humanities Degree,
  • and one of the skills modules: HUMAN 2AR1 - Adaptability and Resiliency, HUMAN 2DU1 - Diversity and Intercultural Understanding, HUMAN 2IC1 - Social Change and Innovation, HUMAN 2PS1 - Problem Solving, or HUMAN 2TC1 - Teamwork and Collaboration. These modules are 1-unit courses that meet online or in person for one hour per week (in contrast to the regular 3 hour/week, 3-unit course).
• the names and contact information, including the email address, of two referees who would be willing to provide a reference or letter of recommendation upon request.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.  However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority for these positions.

Inquiries about uploading applications may be directed to Lizzie O’Brien at hrhum@mcmaster.ca

The starting salary will not be less than $94,167, and will be determined based on rank, discipline, experience, and qualifications. Salaries for faculty members progress through a Career Progress/Merit Plan; average salaries by rank and Faculty for previous academic years can be found here.