Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gender & Sexuality in Education: Intersections with Indigeneity & Race

Area of Expertise: gender and sexuality studies, qualitative and/or quantitative educational research methodologies, teacher education, anti-oppressive education, anti-/decolonial theories of education, practitioner-oriented research & scholarship 

Salary: $65,000 per annum plus benefits

We invite applications for a two-year full-time Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gender & Sexuality in Education: Intersections with Indigeneity & Race at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Prof. Harper B. Keenan, Assistant Professor and Robert Quartermain Professor of Gender & Sexuality in Education. Depending on their interests and relevant experience, the incumbent will have the opportunity to contribute to data collection and analysis for one or both of two studies: 1) a study of the workplace experiences of transgender employees in K-12 schools in the US and Canada, including the role of racialization and colonialism in shaping those experiences; involving both survey and interview research methodologies, and/or 2) a primarily qualitative study of the co-construction of race and gender in early elementary education in the US and Canada. In addition, the successful applicant will support grant-writing for potential expansion of these projects. Sound knowledge of research-practice partnerships with K-12 schools as well as qualitative and/or quantitative methods and data analysis will be crucial for this position. As contributions to report and publication writing will be expected, acknowledged (authorship) and encouraged, the successful applicant will have excellent analytical/conceptual, organizational, and writing skills.

The position will also involve knowledge mobilization to teacher candidates, including developing research-based curriculum and pedagogical resources. Such resources are intended  to facilitate stronger links between K-12 educational practice and knowledge produced within the fields of Queer/Trans of Color Critique, Trans Studies, Queer Studies, and/or Gender & Women’s Studies, Indigenous Studies, Black Studies, and Ethnic Studies. The incumbent may also design and lead professional development programs for teacher candidates and/or educational practitioners.

Candidates should hold, or expect to hold by the time of appointment, a doctoral degree in a relevant domain of education and/or a related field in the social sciences or humanities. The candidate should also demonstrate research experience and experience working with K-12 teachers. Lived experience will be treated as relevant in addition to research experience. We welcome and encourage candidates who are interested in social justice education, critical pedagogy, anti-oppressive and/or abolitionist approaches to education, disability studies in education, social movements, popular education, anti-colonial education, and other related areas of study and practice. 

The Faculty of Education and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community.  We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate through their teaching, research and service that they can contribute to this goal. Familiarity with pedagogical methods and service that enable students across Indigenous, racial, ethnic, sexual and gender identities and socio-economic groups to reach their maximum potential will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a strong commitment to social justice in education. 

The salary for this postdoctoral fellowship is $65,000 CDN per annum plus benefits. We will also provide a one-time moving stipend (up to $3,000). Given the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely may be required; however, the successful candidate must physically reside in Canada in order to be eligible for this appointment. 

Start date: September 1, 2021 (with some flexibility) 

Application Package:  Interested applicants are asked to send the following materials electronically, in the format of a single, bookmarked PDF file, to: Dr. Harper Keenan at harper.keenan@ubc.ca by May 31, 2021: 

1. Letter of application outlining your interest in the position, including relevant expertise and experience;
2. Curriculum vitae;
3. 1-page Research Statement, that describes your dissertation research, plans for two years of postdoctoral research, and future research plans. The Research Statement should demonstrate clear connections between your research agenda and K-12 teaching practice;
4. 1-page Diversity Statement describing how diversity figures into past and present experience of teaching, research/educational leadership, community engagement, and lived experience, with considerations given to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion;
5. One or two refereed publications that reflect research expertise and writing skill. 

Applicants should also arrange to have three letters of reference sent directly to Dr. Harper Keenan at harper.keenan@ubc.ca by May 31, 2021.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.