Job Description

The Department of Communication Arts in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Communication, Technology, and Design beginning July 1, 2022. 

The Department of Communication Arts, located in a research-intensive university, is committed to program objectives (https://uwaterloo.ca/communication-arts/about-our-department) providing students with lifelong capacities 1) to examine agency and implication; 2) to support the development of critical and creative competencies; and 3) to encourage a language and imagination for the public good. The Department has undergraduate programs in Communication Studies, Communication Arts & Design Practice, and Theatre & Performance, and a minor in Digital Arts Communication open to students across the university. These attractive and growing programs currently serve approximately 200 majors and 150 minors, and the department is in the process of proposing a practice-based graduate MA program. In addition, the Department delivers approximately 130 sections of communication courses to students from several different programs at the University. Presently these sections are offered to students in the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Math. 

The successful candidate will have a strong research agenda and clear practitioner profile, demonstrated excellence in teaching, and have a PhD in Communication, Information Studies, Design, or an equivalent field (must have a PhD in hand or be ABD with dissertation near completion). The ideal candidate will support current departmental programs by teaching undergraduate classes in Digital Arts Communication and Communication Studies, and will provide teaching and critical intellectual leadership and support for the proposed graduate program. A demonstrated pedagogical commitment to theoretically-informed practice, student-centered learning, and engagement of broad public concerns is required. Applicants’ research may concern any issues in communication, technology, and design, especially as they pertain to race and ethnicity, decolonization, disability, Indigenous issues, environmental justice, LGBTQ2S+, labour, and/or other concerns for social justice. Expertise in critical race, Indigenous, dis/ability, trans, feminist, and/or queer approaches to the practice and study of digital media and communication will be an asset. Ideal applicants will have a high degree of technological literacy, the ability to secure external funding, collaborative potential with other faculty across the University, the ability to engage in outreach activities with industry in their area and be able to contribute to the growth of the department. 

The salary range for this position at the rank of Assistant Professor is $90,000.00 to $120,000.00, and at the rank of Associate Professor is $110,000.00 to $160,000.00. Duties include research, teaching, and academic service. 

The closing date for applications is February 22, 2022. Application materials must be submitted as PDF files through the Online Faculty Application System (https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/). Please include electronic copies of a cover letter (addressed to Dr. Grit Liebscher, Interim Chair, Communication Arts), curriculum vitae, research statement (1-2 pages), statement of teaching effectiveness (1-2 pages) with additional teaching evidence (e.g. 1-2 examples of syllabi, small selection of course evaluations), and provide names and contact information for three individuals who will upload letters of reference for you (once prompted to do so). Application materials should identify how the candidate’s teaching, research and service aligns with the Department’s program objectives (see above) and advances equity, anti-racism, decolonization, and inclusion.

 The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous).

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. 

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Rina Salazar at admin.cxarts@uwaterloo.ca. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Dr. Grit Liebscher at gliebsch@uwaterloo.ca. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.