The Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory (AHVA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC), Tier II specializing in the art history, architectural history, or visual culture of South Asia. This position is expected to be a full-time, tenure-track appointment made at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The anticipated start date of employment is as early as 1 July, 2023.
Applicants’ research interests may include any historical period and any geographic region in South Asia. The candidate will be well versed in the most advanced theoretical and methodological concerns of the field and have competency in the languages their specialization requires.
Applicants must have a PhD in art history or a related discipline. They are expected to provide strong evidence of active and excellent research and to demonstrate a record of teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will be required to teach courses across the historical span of art and architecture of South Asia and will be expected to maintain an active program of research, publication, teaching, graduate supervision and service.
The Canada Research Chairs Program supports outstanding researchers in areas that will further UBC’s strategic research plan. The successful candidate should remain eligible to hold a Tier II CRC following approximately 12-18 months from their proposed UBC appointment start date. All Chair nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat.
The successful applicant will be an emerging scholar who is active in their field of research and whose profile and research proposal both meets CRC program criteria and demonstrates an excellent fit with institutional strategic goals and the aims of the position.
To meet the criteria of the CRC program, Tier II nominees must:
- be excellent emerging researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity
- have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years
- as chairholders, have the potential to attract, develop and retain excellent trainees, students and future researchers
- be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality
Tier II chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier II chair assessed through the program’s Tier II justification process. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria: www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca and http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/program-programme/nomination-mise_en_candidature-eng.aspx
The University of British Columbia, one of the largest and most distinguished universities in Canada, has excellent resources for scholarly research. The Art History program offers BA, MA, and PhD degrees as well as a diploma, and partners with departmental programs in Visual Art and in Critical and Curatorial Studies. For more information, visit: ahva.ubc.ca. The department maintains close ties with the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology and the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, and is a participant in the Bachelor of Media Studies program. This position presents the opportunity to engage with an interdisciplinary group of scholars within UBC’s larger academic community, including the Department of Asian Studies, the Asian Library, the Institute of Asian Research and the Himalaya Program. UBC offers a range of language courses and programs related to South Asia, including Hindi-Urdu, Nepali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. Located in a region that includes one of the world’s largest populations with South Asian ancestry, UBC is well-connected to these diverse local communities.
Applicants must submit their application at https://ahva.air.arts.ubc.ca/2022-2023-application-for-crc-chair-south-asia/ and upload the following in the order listed within a single PDF (max size 15MB):
- letter of application
- detailed curriculum vitae
- statement of research philosophy
- statement of teaching philosophy
- evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g. teaching evaluations and/or course syllabi)
- scholarly publication or a sample dissertation chapter
- statement of experience working with a diverse student body and contributions or potential contributions to creating/advancing a culture of equity and inclusion
- name, title and affiliation, and contact information of three references
Please note we do not require letters of reference for your initial application. However, your listed references should be willing to provide a confidential letter of reference at a later date should your candidacy progress.
Review of applications will begin on December 12, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date are assured of full review.
Given uncertainty caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, applicants must be prepared to conduct interviews remotely if circumstances require. A successful applicant may be asked to consider an offer with a deadline without having been able to make an in-person visit to campus should travel or other restrictions apply.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.
In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g. maternity leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan, and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following designated groups: women and gender minorities (gender-fluid, non-binary, trans, Two-Spirit), visible minorities (members of groups that are racially categorized), persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples. Applicants to Canada Research Chair positions are asked to complete this equity survey as part of the application, and candidates from these groups must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated equity groups to be considered for the position. Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, candidates must also provide their name to be considered. The Equity Survey link can be found at: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable work environment for all members of its workforce. An inclusive work environment presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. To learn more about UBC’s Center For Workplace Accessibility, visit the website here https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/working-injury-illness-or-disability/centre-workplace-accessibility. To learn more about how the university is working to create a more inclusive working and learning environment, see the Inclusion Action Plan’s goals related to recruitment and retention here https://equity.ubc.ca/about/inclusion-action-plan/recruitment-retention-and-success/.
Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed. Please contact ahva.head@ubc.ca.
Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a) and 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will only be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this hiring process. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and only the names of those who identify as women and gender minorities (gender-fluid, non-binary, trans, Two-Spirit), visible minorities (member of groups that are racially categorized) and/or Indigenous peoples will be shared with the search committee. Currently, UBC has a gap in representation for people with disabilities. Until such time as this is remedied, the names of those self-identifying as having a disability will be provided separately to the search committee. Responses will be stored in a secure database.