Job Description

Assistant Professor (Contractually Limited Appointment): Philosophy and Arts & Science

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement.

The Department of Philosophy and the Arts & Science Program at McMaster University invite applications for a three-year, contractually limited position at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin July 1, 2023. Mindful of a longstanding lack of diversity within the discipline of philosophy, and of the underrepresentation of Black scholars in the academy more broadly, we are pleased to announce that, pursuant to Section 24 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, this is a targeted search initiative for qualified individuals who self-identify as persons of Black/African descent and lived experience. We seek a candidate who will contribute to the advancement of inclusive academic excellence at McMaster.

The successful applicant will be housed in the Department of Philosophy and will have responsibilities both to the Department of Philosophy and to the interdisciplinary Arts & Science Program. They will teach five courses each year: three in Philosophy and two in Arts & Science \xe2\x80\x93 likely \xe2\x80\x9cArgumentation\xe2\x80\x9d and \xe2\x80\x9cPractices of Knowledge\xe2\x80\x9d. For Philosophy, they will teach courses at different levels, including advanced courses that align with their research interests. In addition, the successful candidate will receive $10,000 of research funding in each of the three years of the appointment to help them grow their research program. The position is renewable for an additional three years, pending resources and needs of the Department of Philosophy and the Arts & Science Program, and the teaching load may differ under the renewed contract.

We invite applications from scholars working in all areas of philosophy, including emerging areas. We welcome candidates who are engaged and/or interested in interdisciplinary work. We welcome a variety of approaches to philosophical issues, including work that proceeds from and foregrounds non-Western, non-Northern, and feminist perspectives, and issues relating to race.

The successful applicant must demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching and research commensurate with their career stage. They must also demonstrate willingness and ability to: (1) contribute to the undergraduate programs in both Philosophy and Arts & Science; (2) mentor students in Philosophy and Arts & Science (3) support the collegial atmosphere and intellectual life of both units. The successful applicant must have, or be very near completion of, a doctorate in philosophy or in a related discipline by the time of appointment.

For information about the Department of Philosophy at McMaster, see: https://philos.humanities.mcmaster.ca/.

For information about the Arts & Science Program, see: https://artsci.mcmaster.ca/.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

McMaster aims to advance human and societal health and well-being, locally and globally. This hiring initiative is in keeping with McMaster\xe2\x80\x99s vision to achieve international distinction for creativity, innovation, and excellence, and to embody values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness, and teamwork. It is also aligned with ongoing work being undertaken to ensure inclusive excellence in the recruitment and retention of faculty that have been underrepresented across all academic disciplines, which is articulated in McMaster\xe2\x80\x99s EDI Strategy: Towards Inclusive Excellence and reinforced in the President\xe2\x80\x99s recent letter to the community. The university is also committed to promoting Black Excellence and to date has invested in the cohort hiring of 12 exceptional Black scholars and the establishment of the Black Student Success Centre.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research, teaching and service excellence. It is essential to engaging our diverse student body and intellectual community. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusive excellence.

Successful candidates will be joining a vibrant and networked campus community of Black and other racialized scholars. This community is supported for example by the African and Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM) and by local African and Caribbean and other community groups and organizations within the diverse Hamilton region.

How to Apply:
Submit: (i) a cover letter of application (max. 2 pages), together with (ii) a curriculum vitae; (iii) a statement of research interests and plans (max. 2 pages); (iv) a single sample of academic writing (published pieces are acceptable), (v) a description of teaching interests, experience, and philosophy (max. 2 pages); and (vi) 2-3 sample syllabi for undergraduate philosophy courses or interdisciplinary courses relevant to philosophy.
As for all faculty job searches at McMaster, please also submit (vii) a brief statement (approximately 1 page) describing any contributions made or planned in relation to advancing equity, diversity and inclusive excellence in teaching, research, or service within higher education, community-based or other professional settings.
Finally, please submit the names and contact emails of three academic referees. Actual letters of reference are not required in the first round of this search.
Application materials must be submitted through the University\xe2\x80\x99s electronic portal: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/current-opportunities/ (Faculty Positions, Job 52615)
Complete applications received by the end of the day (11:59pm) on March 19, 2023 are assured of full consideration. However, the position will remain open until it is filled.

McMaster acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that affect an applicant\xe2\x80\x99s record of achievement. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like consideration given to the impact of any such circumstances due to health, family, or other reasons, to allow for a fair assessment of their research and other contributions.

All applicants will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey, which takes approximately two minutes to complete. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. Inquiries about the Diversity Survey may be directed to hr.empequity@mcmaster.ca.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact McMaster\xe2\x80\x99s Human Resources Service Centre at
905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247) or the Office of the Dean of Humanities (905-525-9140 ext. 27532) to communicate their accommodation needs.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants\xe2\x80\x99 status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements in their application letter:

Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Please direct any inquiries about the position to philjob@mcmaster.ca.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the \xe2\x80\x9cDish With One Spoon\xe2\x80\x9d wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster\xe2\x80\x99s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Policy Statement

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University\xe2\x80\x99s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the \xe2\x80\x9cVaccination Policy\xe2\x80\x9d), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Vaccination Policy is currently paused, it may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. Should it become necessary in future to resume the Policy, all community members will need to demonstrate compliance at that time. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.