Assistant Professors of Library & Information Studies

Location - These roles are in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta invites applications from qualified candidates for two (2) tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Library & Information Studies. The successful candidates will contribute to a well established, successful, and internationally accredited program currently supporting approximately 300 students in hybrid and asynchronous online streams. The preferred start date is July 1, 2027 but is negotiable.

We seek applicants who are intellectually curious, excited about rigorous research and scholarship and its applications, committed to high quality teaching and learning in face-to-face and online environments, and who extend our interests in the public good, Indigenization, and the global information professions as they are practiced in diverse communities.

Applicants must have both graduate-level teaching experience relevant to the School’s evolving MLIS curriculum and demonstrated expertise and scholarship in or informing library and information studies in one of the following areas.

• AI, Data, Documentation, Leadership, or Management studies
• Indigenous LIS
• Information ethics
• Information organization & knowledge systems
• Intellectual freedom & social responsibility

• Teaching (40%). The incumbents will be expected to teach, revise, and develop a variety of both foundational and elective courses within the MLIS that are delivered on-campus and asynchronously online; integrate advances in educational technologies; apply innovative pedagogies; and ensure alignment with the 2023 ALA accreditation standards. Additional duties include substantial academic advising and supporting thesis-based students, including in the combined MA (DH)/MLIS program.
• Research and Scholarship (40%). The incumbents will be expected to advance a program of funded research, publish research in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant sources, present at conferences, and otherwise contribute to the creation and dissemination of new knowledge in the identified field(s) of expertise and engagement. Diverse approaches to research and scholarship are welcome. The College’s Office of Research provides various supports for faculty researchers.
• Service (20%). The incumbents will be expected to participate in significant service and professional development activities that advance LIS education locally, nationally, and internationally; serve on committees within the School, Faculty, and University; contribute to the ongoing development and (re)accreditation of the MLIS program; and support the University’s commitments to access, community, belonging, and Reconciliation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in LIS or a closely related field. Doctoral candidates near completion will also be considered.
• Demonstrated graduate-level teaching experience
• Demonstrated research expertise in a relevant area with a focus on innovative knowledge creation, dissemination, and engagement with relevant communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MLIS or equivalent from an accredited program is highly desirable.
• Prior experience teaching online is an asset.

About the School of Library & Information Studies

The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) has proudly offered the only American Library Association (ALA)-accredited Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS) program in the Prairie Provinces for 50 years. This flagship program, situated within the Faculty of Education, has been available in both hybrid and online modalities since 2013 and holds the distinction of being Canada's longest-running, fully online graduate program in LIS. Beyond the MLIS, SLIS further enhances its offerings with the joint Master of Arts in Digital Humanities (MA DH)/MLIS and the combined Master of Business Administration (MBA)/MLIS degrees.

A core value of the School is its commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, which includes Indigenous students and instructors. We are deeply committed to advancing the SLIS vision, mission, and values alongside key institutional strategies, including All Together, the Faculty strategic plan, Braiding Past, Present & Future, the Indigenous strategic plan, and Changing the Story, the access, community, and belonging action plan. We foster a collaborative, supportive academic community and actively seek candidates who possess the ability and willingness to work in a collegial environment.

For more information about the School, please visit our web site at https://www.ualberta.ca/en/school-of-library-and-information-studies/index.html
 

Working and Living in Edmonton

Benefits, Health, & Wellness

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account, parental leave, medical leave, pension, and retirement benefits. For faculty members, some moving and relocation expenses may be reimbursed. Spouses/partners are offered employment services through the University’s Spousal/Partner Employment Program. In the Faculty of Education, candidates whose spouses or partners are eligible for academic faculty positions are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with the Dean at the offer stage or during employment. We value minimizing the long-distance separation of families whenever possible, subject to budgetary and staffing needs. The North Campus offers a medical clinic and nearby childcare and housing options.

Living in Edmonton

The University of Alberta is located in Edmonton, Alberta, a vibrant, cosmopolitan city situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis Homeland with a metro population of 1.7 million people. As Alberta's capital, Edmonton is a major cultural, educational, and economic hub that blends urban sophistication with natural beauty, featuring North America’s largest continuous urban parkland system along the stunning North Saskatchewan River Valley.
Known globally as the "Festival City," Edmonton hosts over 50 annual festivals that celebrate arts, culture, and a highly collaborative community spirit. For scholars in library and information studies, the city offers a uniquely rich environment deeply invested in lifelong learning, public literacy, and community education. Edmonton is home to a progressive, deeply engaged information ecosystem, including the internationally recognized, award-winning Edmonton Public Library (EPL) system, extensive government and corporate archives, and the University of Alberta’s world-class library network—one of the largest research library systems in North America.
Offering an exceptional quality of life, Edmonton combines a thriving culinary scene, a diverse arts community, and excellent schools with a relatively low cost of living and high standard of living compared to other major Canadian metropolitan areas, making it a welcoming and livable city for academics and their families.
 

How to Apply

Please read the application instructions carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please submit the following files online using the University’s application portal.

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae (CV)
3. Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)
4. Research statement (1-2 pages)
5. One sample of scholarly work.
6. Contact information for three references. Referees will be contacted and asked to supply letters only if a candidate is shortlisted. Please alert potential references in advance, as the reference letter collection phase will be limited in duration.

The closing date is October 30, 2026.

The successful candidates will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.