Bridging Divides Research Program - Senior Research Associate, 2-year term (Place and Infrastructure)

Department: Bridging Divides
Contract length: 2 years
Hours of work per week: 36.25 hours/week, in person.
Rate of pay: $75,000/year + Benefits
Starting date: 1^st April 2025 or as soon as possible after that

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do. Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet, external link, @TorontoMetHR, external link and @ECItorontomet, external link on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page, external link.

About Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides
The Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides (BD) research program is dedicated to building a new understanding of the challenges and opportunities that migrant integration poses for Canada (and all countries) locally and across borders.

The program’s unique interdisciplinary research design will drive leadership in the areas of citizenship and civic participation, the future of work, healthcare, and the responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, which is changing the way we work, live and interact. This intersectional approach will contribute to building communities and urban centres that are equitable, resilient and inclusive to migrants.

The program will focus on the urban context, including both large urban centres and small- and mid-sized cities, as these are the main destinations of both newcomers and settled immigrants.

The opportunity
The Bridging Divides Research Program is hiring a motivated Senior Research Associate to contribute to innovative research and assist with external funding applications in relation to the Place and Infrastructure theme (read about projects under the theme here). The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Bridging Divides Scientific Director Anna Triandafyllidou and Executive Director Martha Munezhi.

The successful candidate will work as a liaison between the central research and operations team of Bridging Divides and the Place and Infrastructure theme scientific co-leads. They will contribute to research fundraising in this thematic area, draft research and knowledge dissemination reports and digests, identify new research areas for development, and facilitate collaboration and joint research initiatives across the four Bridging Divides themes and partner BD’s partner universities.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD and possess at least two (preferably five) years of research experience post-PhD. They should have demonstrated experience in publishing original research in international conferences and high-impact journals.

In delivering the above work the successful candidate will be supported through a broad range of opportunities for research training, financial support for conference and fieldwork travel, and other forms of professional development (e.g. policy brief writing, blog writing, media training). The Bridging Divides research program offers a highly supportive peer-to-peer in-person working environment as well as significant operation and communication support through dedicated operations and communications managers.

Qualifications

• Completed PhD in Geography, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Proven experience in identifying funding opportunities and writing successful funding proposals for external grants.
• Ability to translate research findings into policy solutions and innovative, community-centered interventions.
• Previous work experience on collaborative projects or teams.
• Strong organizational skills to coordinate complex initiatives across diverse research themes and sub-projects.
• Demonstrated ability to write research papers for publication in academic journals.
• Deep understanding of equity, access, and social justice principles, with a commitment to addressing structural inequities.
• Fluent in oral and written English, other languages are an asset.
• International experience is also an asset.

How to apply
Candidates are invited to submit a complete application by 20 January 2025 to [email protected], with the following documents combined in one file clearly named with the candidate’s last name and first name:

1. A brief CV (2-4 pages), and a motivation letter (up to 2 pages) explaining what skills you bring to the position and why we should hire you.
2. A writing sample (a single paper or other short publication).
3. A list of 2 potential referees, which may include current or past employers or academic supervisors.

Please use the subject heading line: Senior Research Associate – PLACE AND INFRASTRUCTURE – “your name”.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications and also reach out to Tracey King, Indigenous Human Resources Lead for support during the selection process.