"Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream (CLTA) - Creative Writing (Fiction) with a focus on Disability Studies and/or Mental Health Studies"

The Department of English at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a three-year full-time contractually limited term appointment (CLTA) in Creative Writing (Fiction) with a focus on Disability Studies and/or Mental Health Studies. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027 and an end date of December 31, 2029.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Applicants must have earned a PhD, MFA, or MA degree in English Literature, Creative Writing, or a closely related field by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter with a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching. We seek candidates whose teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths with Creative Writing (Fiction) as well as Literature courses taught with a focus on Disability Studies and/or Mental Health. An ability to teach other courses (e.g., writing in the sciences, literature and science, and/or digital humanities) would also be an asset.

Candidates must have teaching experience in a degree-granting program, including lecture preparation and delivery, curriculum development, and development of online material/lectures. Additionally, candidates must possess a demonstrated commitment to excellent pedagogical inquiry and a demonstrated interest in teaching-related scholarly activities. We particularly seek candidates whose pedagogy is shaped by decolonial, anti-racist, feminist, and trauma-informed principles.

Evidence of excellence in teaching and a commitment to excellent pedagogical inquiry can be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments, awards and accolades, presentations at significant conferences, the teaching dossier submitted as part of the application (with required materials outlined below) as well as strong letters of reference.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We seek candidates who value diversity and whose research, teaching and service bear out our commitment to equity. Candidates must also show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and to the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as demonstrated through the application materials. Candidates are asked to submit a 1- to 2-page statement of contributions to equity and diversity, which might cover topics such as (but not limited to): research or teaching that incorporates a focus on underrepresented communities, the development of inclusive pedagogies, or the mentoring of students from underrepresented groups.

The salary range is $106,000 - $121,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

The Department of English at the University of Toronto Scarborough encompasses dynamic programs in English Literature, Creative Writing, and Film, and its faculty is committed to further diversifying and decolonizing its curriculum. The department is situated in the multicultural east end community of Scarborough, on lands belonging to the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. This territory is also covered by the Dish with One Spoon wampum belt covenant which lays out principles of peaceful relationality, reciprocity, and sustainability—values which orient us to the way we want our department to move.

The creative writing program at UTSC is well established, offering both a Major and a Minor program. We seek additional strengths in fiction that will bring creative writing and literature into conversation with Health-related programs at UTSC, including the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH), the Centre for Global Disability Studies, Health and Society, Psychology, and the Health Sciences more generally.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae; and a complete teaching dossier which includes a teaching statement, sample syllabi and course materials, and teaching evaluations; as well as EDI statement as described above.

Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours of an application being submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that references submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. At least one reference letter must primarily address the candidate’s teaching. More details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ.

Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Professor Karina Vernon, Chair, Department of English at cw-engsearch@utsc.utoronto.ca.

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by April 30, 2026.

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