University of British Columbia - tenure-track Instructor (2)

[anonymous]

Instructor I, tenure-track
Department of Sociology
University of British Columbia

(2 positions available)

The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track Instructor I positions in the Department of Sociology (www.soci.ubc.ca). The ideal candidate would be a broadly trained sociologist capable of high quality teaching at both the introductory and senior undergraduate levels. For one of the positions a specialization in sociology of the family would be desirable; for the second position the specialization is open. Successful candidates will dedicate about 2/3rds of their teaching towards first- and second-year level courses, particularly Introduction to Sociology (Soci 100) and /or Sociology of the Family (Soci 200). The remaining 1/3rd of teaching will be in senior undergraduate courses, and thus an ability to teach several 300- and 400-level courses would be expected.

Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. before commencing the position and experience teaching undergraduate courses. Individuals with strong, demonstrable commitments to achieving excellence in teaching and academic supervision of undergraduate students, as well as to making substantial contributions to curriculum development and course design, are encouraged to apply. Experience in teaching undergraduate students, professional associations supporting sociology education, research in pedagogy, sociology curriculum development, and the integration of innovative teaching practices and technologies into the curriculum is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an excellent record of teaching and service. Service will include responsibility for some administrative work related to the undergraduate program in the Department.

As this is a tenure-track position, an Instructor I who in later years is reviewed for tenure and promotion to Senior Instructor will be required to show evidence of excellence in teaching, demonstrated educational leadership, distinction in the field of teaching and learning, sustained and innovative contributions to curriculum development and course design, and other initiatives that advance the University's ability to excel in its teaching and learning mandate. It is expected that Instructors will keep abreast of current developments in their respective disciplines and in the field of teaching and learning. A Senior Instructor may be reviewed for promotion to the rank of Professor of Teaching in the fifth and subsequent years in that rank.

Positions are subject to final budgetary approval. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The expected starting date is July 1, 2014. Applicants should apply through the UBC faculty careers website www.facultycareers.ubc.ca/16167 and be prepared to upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching interests and orientation, and evidence of teaching abilities and effectiveness (such as course outlines and student evaluations). Applicants should also arrange to have three confidential letters of recommendation submitted directly by their referees via email to soci.head(at)ubc.ca, with the applicant's name and "Instructor position" in the subject line. All application materials and reference letters should be submitted by November 1, 2013. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2013 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Vancouver regularly places among the top three most livable cities in the world. It is renowned for its mild year-round climate, unique urban design, emphasis on the environment and sustainability, low crime rates, cultural and cosmopolitan offerings, ethnic diversity, and spectacular natural beauty set among the coastal mountains and Pacific Ocean. As the major public research university in western Canada, the University of British Columbia is also a globally acclaimed institution that ranks among the top thirty universities in the world. UBC Sociology is cited among the top two departments in Canada.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

[question]

Does anyone have any experience with the "Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority" part of this posting? Is it worth as a non-Canadian citizen or resident to apply for this job?

[Meaningless]

I was just talking to someone at ASA who recently graduated from a Canadian university and is now working in the US. She said that it's a requirement for Canadian universities to post that line, but that it doesn't really mean anything.

[depends]

It can depend on the university. My understanding is that while all Canadian universities are required to post that line, there is variation in whether it means anything, and that in general it carries less weight at research-oriented programs.

[agreed]

"Depends" is right. I work at a Canadian university, have served on search committees, and it does mean something. At the end of the day, we have to justify to the government why we hired a non-Canadian and have to make the case that there were no qualified CDN applicants (which, of course, is not exactly true). Realistically, a university wants to hire the best person, no matter where they come from. But, government wants that university to hire the best Canadian applicant and to look outside of the CDN applicant pool only when nobody in that pool is good enough. Universities care about CV first and nationality second; for government it's the reverse.



Large, research universities don't worry about this. Small, teaching universities (like the one where I work) do worry about it. There's a sense (whether true or not) that government won't try to boss UBC around and tell them who to hire, but they will try to boss around Mount Allison, U of Fraser Valley, etc.