Now hiring Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC Chair in Hellenic Studies

The Department of Humanities at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a full-time appointment of a scholar who will hold the 5-year, renewable Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC Chair in Hellenic Studies, starting July 15, 2022. This position is advertised as open rank and will be filled by either an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor. A candidate for a junior Chair (Assistant or Associate Professor rank) will be a scholar who has a record of scholarly achievements well beyond that normally expected of a faculty member in that rank and who, based on their accomplishments to date, has the clear potential to make an extraordinary contribution to their discipline. Only those eligible to be appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor will be considered. Appointment with tenure at the Associate Professor rank is possible. 

Excellence in research and teaching are the primary criteria for this position. Candidates must have research expertise either in Greek Language and Literature of the Late Antique and Medieval periods or in the History of Art of the Byzantine era. Additional linguistic or regional expertise will be welcome. The ideal candidate will have a successful record in their chosen specialization and be well regarded in their field. Applicants must hold a completed PhD in any one of the following fields: Classics, Philology, History of Art, or a clearly related area of expertise (e.g. History with demonstrated Philological grounding or Religious Studies with Philological and Art Historical expertise).

Duties will include research, teaching courses at the undergraduate level, graduate supervision, university service, and outreach both within the university and in the wider community. Ability to teach outside the advertised disciplinary focus, notably in other specializations within the broader umbrella of Hellenic Studies and Humanities (Ancient and Modern Greek Art or Literature and Language, or Medieval Art and Literature of the wider world around and beyond Byzantium), will be assessed positively.

The successful candidate will develop courses that effectively integrate their field of expertise into the curriculum and research profile of the Department of Humanities, as well as actively engaging in the research and outreach activities of the Department and the affiliated Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Centre for Hellenic Studies.

SFU is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive universities in Canada. The Department of Humanities is a union between the Department of Humanities and the Hellenic Studies Program (since summer 2020) that reflects their shared commitment to dialogue across cultures in a manner that engages with ancient traditions and their receptions, by way of ideas, texts, and art. The Department boasts expertise in Classics, Classical and Early Christian Archaeology, Byzantine and Early Modern History, Modern Greek Literature, and Balkan History, as well as other areas in Humanities, including Asian Studies. More information about the department and the university can be found on our website at http://www.sfu.ca/humanities.html.

The holder of the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC Chair in Hellenic Studies will work closely with the members of the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies – in which they will assume active membership – to meet the mandate of the Chair’s Terms of Reference in a manner most conducive to strong research output and robust outreach among communities of Greeks and philhellenes in BC and the world over. The SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at SFU is a leading site for the study of Greece's history, language and culture. More information on the Centre may be found on its website: https://www.sfu.ca/hellenic-studies.html.,The SFU campus is located on Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver. Vancouver is a scenic waterfront city situated minutes from the mountains and a wide range of outdoor activities. It has a reputation as a clean, safe, multicultural and ethnically diverse city and is consistently ranked as one of the very top cities in the world in which to live and work.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, qualified Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is an institution whose strength is based on our shared commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is an underlying principle of our Strategic Vision, which pledges SFU to “foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity reflected among its students, faculty, staff, and our community.” SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, specifically Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the University; and treat all employees equitably. Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed starting November 30, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants will submit electronically a cover letter, CV, statement of research interests, teaching philosophy and SIX academic letters of reference. Original letters of reference should be submitted by the referees directly to Dr. David Mirhady, Chair of the Appointments Committee. Complete applications should be sent in pdf format c/o carolyn_richard@sfu.ca.

We acknowledge the Squamish, Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Katzie and Kwikwetlem peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University’s three campuses stand.  By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create a space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

The position is subject to availability of funding and the final approval of the Board of Governors. Under the authority of the University Act personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details see: http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/Faculty_Openings/Collection_Notice.html