Position Description

Area:  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)                 
Duration:  One year, with potential to renew
Start Date:  July 1, 2017, or soon thereafter
Salary:   $48,000, plus benefits and travel support

The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).

Position Description

The Postdoctoral Scholar will contribute to the University of Calgary’s engagement in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). The Taylor Institute advances the work of better understanding and improving student learning and the teaching approaches and practices that facilitate that learning. A signature strategy in this work is promoting the study, practice, and application of the scholarship of teaching and learning. This SoTL Postdoctoral Scholar position represents a significant step in the development of the field of the scholarship of teaching and learning.

The SoTL Postdoctoral Scholar will be responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of the Taylor Institute’s SoTL programs and priorities; promoting and supporting SoTL communities of practice on campus; evaluating the impact of SoTL; teaching the Taylor Institute’s SoTL Foundations Program for Graduate Students; supporting SoTL researchers with their lit reviews, ethics applications, and grant applications; and authoring and co-authoring various forms of SoTL research dissemination and knowledge mobilization.  Assets for a competitive application would include familiarity with the literature on postsecondary student learning, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and the specific ethical considerations and processes appropriate for studying postsecondary learning in situ.

The remuneration is a stipend of $48,000/year, plus an extended health benefit plan and $2,000 for SoTL-related travel. Postdoctoral scholars have access to services of the Staff Wellness Centre and the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offered through the University of Calgary.

Qualifications

• PhD or doctorate degree in any discipline, awarded within the five years immediately preceding the appointment;
• Experience teaching in a postsecondary institution;
• Familiarity with the scholarship of teaching and learning, educational development, and evidence-based teaching approaches and practices;
• Experience writing literature reviews and ethics applications;
• Openness to a range of disciplinary approaches to scholarship and inquiry, and ability to work in interdisciplinary contexts;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Strong organizational, project management, interpersonal, and presentation skills;
• Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively.

Application Details

Applications should be emailed as a single PDF to Nancy Chick (Academic Director of the Taylor Institute, [email protected]) and CC’d to her Office Manager, Andrea Derksen ([email protected]).  A complete application consists of a cover letter outlining experiences and interests in SoTL, a current CV, a sample of academic writing (preferably related to this position), a teaching dossier of no more than 10 pages (including a teaching philosophy), and contact information of three referees.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only complete applications will be considered and only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful applicant will commence the postdoctoral position on July 1, 2017 or soon thereafter.  An earlier start date is negotiable.

Additional Information

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to become one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. Ranked as the top young university in Canada and North America, the University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

We’re increasing our scholarly capacity by investing in people who want to change the world, bringing the best and brightest to Calgary to form a global intellectual hub and achieve advances that matter to everyone.

About Calgary, Alberta

Named a cultural capital of Canada and one of the best places to live in the world, Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary believes that a respectful workplace, equal opportunity and building a diverse workforce contribute to the richness of the environment for teaching, learning and research, and provide faculty, staff, students and the public with a university that reflects the society it serves. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.