Assistant Professor - Security and Defence Studies

Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to:

• Canadian defence policy and military affairs
• National security and intelligence policy and governance
• International security policy and strategic studies
• Foreign interference and democratic resilience
• Defence procurement and industrial strategy
• Security implications of geoeconomics
• Area studies with a security and defence studies perspective
• Arctic security
• Emerging technologies and security (cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, autonomous systems)
• Civil-military relations
• Security implications of climate change
• Critical infrastructure protection

The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading university and the largest bilingual university (French and English) in the world. Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes significantly to the economy, culture and quality of life of Canada’s capital.

The Faculty of Social Sciences comprises nine departments, schools and institutes, which offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in both English and French. With its 10,000 students, 260 full-time professors, and a wide array of programs and research centres, the Faculty of Social Sciences plays a key role at the heart of the University of Ottawa. Its graduate students are trained by excellent researchers and undertake cutting-edge research in the Faculty’s Master’s and Ph.D. programs.

Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs, sociology, economics, law, history, or a related discipline (completed by the time of appointment).
• Demonstrate excellence or the potential for excellence in teaching and research.
• Given the mission of the GSPIA as a professional school of public policy and international affairs that educates future policy leaders, candidates should demonstrate a very strong understanding of governmental institutions, public administration, and policy-making processes in democratic societies. Candidates with policy experience are encouraged to apply.
• For one of the two positions, preference will be given to candidates who are able to teach in French at the time of appointment.

Duties

• Successful candidates will be expected to teach a master’s level course in GSPIA’s MA program in security and defence studies, among other graduate and undergraduate courses;
• Research activities;
• Supervision of graduate students;
• Participating in academic and administrative activities;
• Other activities as specified in the collective agreement.

Terms: Two new tenure-track position. Note that tenure is conditional on active knowledge of Canada’s two official languages (English and French).

Salary: Salary scale for an Assistant Professor starts at $99,377 (as of May 1, 2025).

Starting Date: July 1, 2027

Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package, which includes long-term disability insurance, basic group life insurance, health insurance, University of Ottawa pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as reimbursement of eligible relocation expenses.

Location of Work: Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, 120 University, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5

Application Deadline: The deadline for applications is October 31, 2026; however, applications may be considered after this date until the position is filled.

A complete application must include the following elements:

• Curriculum vitae,
• A letter describing their teaching and research experience and interests,
• A clear statement of their level of fluency in French and English.

Applicants must request that three referees send letters of recommendation directly to:

Professor Costanza Musu
Director, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Ottawa
E-mail: api@uottawa.ca

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.

In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at vra.affairesprofessorales@uOttawa.ca. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 175-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides second-language training to staff members and their spouses.