Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Constitutional Pluralism

Posting Date - October 21, 2027

Closing Date - November 27, 2027

The University of Alberta Faculty of Law invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Constitutional Pluralism. The successful candidate will lead an innovative program of research examining the coexistence, interaction, and negotiation of multiple legal orders – including Indigenous, federal, provincial, and international legal systems – within Canada’s constitutional frameworks.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to pursue their research program with the support of, and in engagement with, two research centres housed in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law. The Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge works alongside Indigenous communities and nations to revitalize and implement their own laws and governance, and offers a dynamic hub for community-engaged research, teaching, and collaboration in Indigenous law. The Centre for Constitutional Studies fosters research and public education on constitutional law in all its dimensions, including plurinational governance, federalism, and interactions between Indigenous and state legal orders. Together, these centres make the Faculty an especially welcoming and supportive home for scholars working in constitutional pluralism.

The successful candidate will pursue an original program of research in constitutional pluralism, building collaborations within the Faculty, across the University, and with external partners and communities. They will also contribute to the JD and graduate curriculum and participate in the collegial governance of the Faculty and University.

The successful candidate must hold (or be very near completion of) a doctorate in law or a cognate discipline with a strong legal component to their research program. The successful candidate must have a documented record of research excellence in constitutional law and legal pluralism, or directly related areas, demonstrated through impactful contributions in venues such as peer-reviewed journals, public intellectual platforms, and community-based knowledge exchange. The successful candidate must be able to teach law courses in the JD program and to supervise and teach LLM or PhD candidates. Hiring preference will also be given to candidates with prior experience securing external research funding (e.g. SSHRC, or equivalent national or international funding bodies), and a strong track record in teaching and graduate or postdoctoral student supervision. 

Tier 2 CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging researchers (i.e., candidates must have had their first independent academic research-related appointment for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination). Applicants who are more than 10 years from their first independent academic research appointment (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental or extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program's Tier 2 justification process. Please consult the University of Alberta CRC Coordinator, Glen Thomas (crcadmin@ualberta.ca) for more information. Full program information, including details on eligibility criteria and acceptable leaves, can be found on the Canada Research Chairs website: http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.

The University of Alberta recognizes the legitimate impact that life circumstances such as disability, leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) and other family and community responsibilities can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These life circumstances will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

The successful applicant will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. Nominations are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a Canada Research Chair is conditional upon their approval.

To apply:
 

1. Applicants will receive a self-identification questionnaire link from equity@ualberta.ca 1-2 weeks after the job posting closing date. The survey will be sent to the email address that is listed on the application. Please be sure to check the spam box. Please do not forward the link as it is unique to the email address. For any questions or concerns, please contact equity@ualberta.ca. 
   1. NB: The University of Alberta must collect self-identification data from all applicants as part of its participation in the CRC Program. This data is used to ensure that the institution is progressing towards meeting its EDI targets as set by Ottawa.
2. Submit a current CV; a maximum 1-page description of the proposed CRC Tier 2 research program; a maximum 2-page description of research achievements; a maximum 2-page teaching summary; names of three confidential referees who we may contact about your application; copies of law and graduate transcripts; and a sample publication. Candidates without a JD or equivalent degree should take special care to link their research and teaching statements to the demands of a law school appointment. Supplementary materials may be requested from candidates selected for interviews. Submit required materials by clicking the "Apply Online"  button below by November 27, 2026.
3. Questions about this application or this competition should be sent electronically to Jessica Eisen, Associate Dean of Research, at eisen@ualberta.ca.

Questions about the CRC Program can be directed to Glen Thomas, CRC Coordinator and Advisor, crcadmin@ualberta.ca.
 

Applicants who require an accessibility arrangement for their application, interview, and/or subsequent recruitment meetings can contact lawproj@ualberta.ca to arrange appropriate accommodations.
 

Posted: – October 21, 2026

The successful candidate will be offered a tenured or tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate Professor (with tenure) and will be nominated for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, including a comprehensive benefits package. Nominations are subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment as a Canada Research Chair is conditional upon their approval. 

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.

This role is subject to the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation, which includes a two-stage affirmation process. Should you affirm your First Nation, Métis, or Inuit citizenship or membership, you will be required to participate in a document verification process and asked to submit supporting documentation confirming citizenship, membership, or the right to be registered as such in an Indigenous collective in Canada, prior to nomination if you are deemed meritorious for the opportunity. Such an affirmation is optional and not a prerequisite for consideration for this opportunity.