"Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Adult, Community and Higher Education"

The Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta is consistently ranked among the top faculties of education in Canada and globally. It is home to award-winning educators, internationally recognized researchers, and socially engaged scholars. With a commitment to inclusive excellence, the faculty supports K-12 education, professional development, and advanced scholarship, shaping the next generation of teachers, leaders, and policymakers who make a difference in classrooms and communities.

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

The successful candidate will be offered a tenure-track appointment with the rank of Assistant Professor, which is in accordance with the schedule, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Situated on Treaty Six territory, the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Adult, Community and Higher Education (ACHE). The Adult, Community and Higher Education program provides advanced study for individuals who work with adults in educative roles within a variety of institutional, community, and workplace settings locally, nationally, and internationally. The program area is guided by principles focused on the inclusion of diverse learners and the creation of equitable, accessible learning spaces. We emphasize a vision of adult education that includes first generation learners, learners who carry strong education experiences in non-formal learning contexts, and/or learners who have been marginalized by dominant social or institutional narratives. The appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Adult, Community, and Higher Education and/or other areas of education across the Faculty.
• Engagement in a research program relevant to Adult and Higher Education.
• Contribution to service within the Faculty, University, and the broader community.
• Advising and supervising graduate students.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have completed a Doctorate (PhD or EdD) in Education, with a focus relevant to Adult Education and Higher Education or a closely related field (e.g. student services, adult learners, or postsecondary educational systems). Applicants who are close to completion (ABD) will be considered.
• Applicants must demonstrate potential for scholarly excellence in terms of productivity and creative innovation and attract internal and external funding. Candidates must have relevant teaching experience, ideally at the post-secondary level. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability and expertise to teach, advise, and supervise graduate students.
• The candidate must be well grounded in aspects of adult, community and higher education, especially focusing their scholarship in the study of higher/postsecondary education. The candidate is expected to be active within the larger associations of adult, community, and higher education scholars. Applicants may have a focus in the following areas: student affairs/services (e.g. policy, governance, service provision, pedagogy); or expertise with diverse student populations, for example Indigenous studies, migration studies, critical race studies, gender & sexuality studies, and/or critical disability studies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in student affairs (e.g. recruitment, retention, advising, service provision, extra/co curricular planning, etc.) as it relates to the experiences of diverse and growing populations of students.
• Ability to contribute to new and ongoing program development including the development of new graduate certificates.
• Emerging or established research record addressing topics such as student development, adult learning theory, student engagement and retention, equity in student services, advising and counselling, access and transition programs, or support systems for diverse adult learners.
• Demonstrated excellence or strong potential in teaching at the postsecondary level, including the ability to teach core courses in higher education, adult education, student development, and research methods at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Evidence of interest in, and readiness to teach in online and blended formats.
• Capacity to supervise graduate students and contribute to the scholarly community through conferences, publications, and collaborative research.
• A commitment to Indigenization, access, community and belonging, and decolonization, particularly as these relate to adult and non-traditional learners, underrepresented student populations, and the design of inclusive student support structures.

Application Instructions Interested applicants are invited to submit an application package that must include a:

• Cover letter (two pages maximum);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Statement of research (two page maximum), including a proposed plan for research;
• Statement of teaching (two page maximum) that includes experiences as an adult educator and highlights and demonstrates teaching effectiveness and innovation;
• Sample of a published paper that is most significant and relevant to their research interests;
• One-page statement describing service contributions and philosophy, which can include: experiences with collegial governance, community engagement, and support for Indigenization, access, community and belonging, and/or decolonization;
• List of the names and contact details of three references. Letters of reference will only be requested for candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.

Applicants are encouraged to review the University of Alberta’s Strategic Plans, including: USP; SPRI; SEAP; Indigenous Strategic Plan; ACB Action Plan and the Faculty Strategic Plan.

Review of applications will begin on February 7, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled, with a targeted start date of July 1, 2026.

All applications can be addressed to the attention of Dr. Jorge Sousa, Vice Dean, Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs. Please enter competition number "3363 Assistant Professor" in the subject line. Specific questions about the position can be addressed to sousa@ualberta.ca.