Tenure Track Position in Indigenous Science

Toronto Metropolitan University

Tenure Track Position in Indigenous Science
FOS, Chemistry and Biology
Posted: March 30, 2026
Deadline to Apply: Thursday, April 30, 2026


Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit and the Wendat Peoples, the Department of Chemistry and Biology in the Faculty of Science at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] (formerly Ryerson University) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor effective August 1st, 2026 subject to final budgetary approval.

This position is restricted to candidates who self-identify in the Applicant Diversity Self-ID questionnaire in the recruitment portal, as First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America and who subsequently successfully complete an affirmation process at TMU. This process involves candidates providing relevant documentation to support the claim of Indigenous identity and participating in discussions with the University’s Indigenous Human Resources Lead in order to share relevant information about their lived experience.

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. Teaching duties will entail teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, supervision of students and/or curriculum development. The successful candidate will further pursue a strong, innovative research program or creative activity that may in part be demonstrated through Indigenous community-based/community-engaged SRC, Indigenous-specific creative projects, and the dissemination of SRC through mechanisms that include writing for Indigenous audiences, Indigenous peer review processes and recognition of Indigenous protocols when presenting research findings (Indigenous feasts, newsletters, oral presentations, and reports to the Indigenous community) that recognize the ethics of and responsibilities to collaborate with Indigenous communities. Service to external bodies may also include participation in or service to Indigenous organizations.

Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Chemistry, Biology or a closely related discipline by the appointment date. Candidates who are all-but-dissertation (ABD) and are able to demonstrate that they are very close to completion may also be considered.

In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of:

A strong emerging scholarly, research and creative activity in a field of study relevant to chemistry or biology, including but not limited to chemistry; environmental biology, ecology, and evolution; cell and molecular biology; epidemiology, pedagogy and teaching related to these fields; or methodology advancement and development related to these fields that is led by, or engaged with First Nations, Inuit, or Métis nations across Turtle Island. We welcome applicants with a focus on Indigenous research methodologies and epistemologies which embrace the intellectual, physical, emotional and/or spiritual dimensions of knowledge in creative and interconnected relationships with people, places and the natural environment. Candidates may consider how their scholarly, research, and creative activities align with respect for Indigenous data sovereignty (e.g., OCAP® principles: Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession); Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC); relational accountability; reciprocity and community benefit; and knowledge co-creation rather than knowledge extraction. Candidates are encouraged to reflect on their ability to apply Two-Eyed seeing (Etuaptmumk) frameworks to research, articulated by Mi’kmaw Elders, which call for learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and from the other eye with the strengths of Western science, and using both together for the benefit of all. Candidates with scholarly, research and creative activity related to human and/or environmental health are particularly encouraged to apply.
Demonstrated potential for teaching excellence at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum in Chemistry, Biology, and/or Biomedical Sciences and/or graduate programs in Environmental Applied Science and Management and/or Molecular Science as evidenced by a teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, experience with course and curriculum review and/or development, examples of best practices in pedagogy, including effective use of classroom technology and any experience with experiential learning, sample syllabi, strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, and other relevant achievements in teaching;
a commitment to our values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population; and
an ability and willingness to contribute to the life of the Department of Chemistry and Biology, and the University through collegial service.


Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits. The minimum salary for the Assistant Professor rank is $103,916.30 per annum. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.


Working at TMU
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, TMU offers over 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning. Distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum and a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city building, reflected in its award-winning architecture.

At the intersection of mind and action, TMU is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Our new academic plan, Transformative Futures, offers an exciting roadmap towards our ongoing pursuit of academic excellence and to addressing the complex and evolving challenges of our time.

At the heart of TMU’s remarkable achievements and its ambitious aspirations are its students, faculty and staff. Committed to a people first culture, the university prides itself on offering exceptional benefits and perks, celebrating the achievements of its faculty and staff and maintaining its unwavering commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including its ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, confronting Anti-Black Racism and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Among its many recognitions include being ranked number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. We invite you to explore employment at TMU as well as our community of diverse faculty and staff networks.

Connect with us on LinkedIn for the latest news and opportunities at TMU.


Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science
The Department of Chemistry and Biology offers undergraduate and graduate (Master’s and Doctoral) programs to over 2500 students. Our faculty prides itself on the excellence of its scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities, the quality of its teaching and community engagement. We are interested in candidates who will contribute to the Department of Chemistry and Biology’s existing strengths and assist in advancing its priorities. Please visit us at to learn more: https://www.torontomu.ca/chemistry-biology/


How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by April 30th, 2026:

a letter of application;
a curriculum vitae;
a statement of research interests;
a teaching dossier that includes a teaching philosophy statement, results of teaching evaluations and an EDI statement (for guidelines, refer to https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/science/Faculty-of-Science_A-Practical-Guide-to-Writing-about-Equity-Diversity-and-Inclusion.pdf) and;
names and contact information of three individuals who may be contacted for references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we believe that diversity of knowledge, worldviews and experiences that come from membership in different groups, is fundamental to innovation, teaching and scholarship and that our students are best served by faculty who reflect the diversity of TMU’s student body and the community in which TMU is situated. To ensure representation of the excellent talent in Canada, we are particularly interested in applications from members of historically disadvantaged and marginalized groups including: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Department Hiring Committee Chair Dr. Michael Olson at michael.olson@torontomu.ca

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at indigenous@torontomu.ca.

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.