Tenure-Track, Assistant or Associate Professor in the School of Physical & Health Education

Nipissing University

The School of Physical and Health Education in the Faculty of Education and Professional Studies at Nipissing University invite applications for a Tenure Track, Assistant or Associate Professor in Indigenous Physical Activity, Health and Wellness. This position is located in North Bay, Ontario and will commence July 1, 2025.

The ideal Scholar-candidate will have completed or be near completion of their PhD in an area of study within Indigenous Physical Activity, Health, and Wellness or a related field. Related fields include Human Development, Child and Youth Health; Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes; Population and Public Health; Circulatory and Respiratory Health; Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis; Exercise and aging; and Health Prescription. Through the Scholar’s doctoral or postdoctoral research, the Scholar will have worked with Indigenous groups or Communities to assess and promote Physical Activity, Health, and Wellness. The Scholar will have demonstrated potential for external research funding through CIHR, SSHRC or other established granting agencies at the federal, provincial, or local level. The successful candidate is expected to develop a strong, externally funded research program. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate teaching and supervision within the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE) program. The candidate will contribute to graduate supervision and teaching within the Master of Science in Kinesiology (MSc Kin) program.

The Scholar is expected to develop an active research program within the School of Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University that will preferably include:

• Community-based, participatory research involving Northern and rural communities, with a specific focus on Northern Ontario;
• The intersections between physical activity, physical and mental health and wellness, and Indigenous health and knowledge systems;
• Understanding and improving Indigenous health inequalities, taking into consideration community interests, social, and environmental factors; and,
• Mentorship and collaboration with existing researchers in the SPHE at Nipissing and their research partners (e.g. Canadore College).

The Scholar will contribute to delivery of courses in the BPHE and MSc Kinesiology programs, based upon their expertise. More importantly, the Scholar will develop additional electives focused on Indigenous approaches to physical activity, health, and wellness, that consider the Northern Ontario or Canadian context. The proposed Scholar will be involved in supervision of students in the MSc Kinesiology and possibly other graduate programs (e.g. MEd, PhD Education). Ultimately, the Scholar will strengthen the ability of the BPHE and MSc Kinesiology programs to focus on rural, remote, and Indigenous populations (as stated in the Nipissing University Strategic Plan and the MSc Kinesiology founding rationale) and would further differentiate the BPHE and MSc Kinesiology program at Nipissing University from other programs within the province.

Within the Fulfilling our Responsibility to Truth and Reconciliation, Nipissing University has committed to:
• Ensure that all students, staff, and faculty understand the history of the traditional lands and the historic and contemporary roles and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including the people of Nipissing First Nation, on whose lands and waters our university is situated,
• Develop a regular forum for ongoing conversations with Indigenous students and communities; implement mechanisms that reciprocally connect Indigenous communities and the University, and
• Support the development of curricula and pedagogy that incorporate Indigenous knowledges, cosmologies, and ways of knowing.

Nipissing University has recently launched a new Careers landing page (https://www.nipissingu.ca/careers) where prospective applicants can discover exciting career opportunities, learn more about the vibrant City of North Bay, and explore what makes our institution a unique and rewarding place to work.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their teaching and research interests, a description of their connection with Indigenous communities, a curriculum vitae, and a list of three referees by 4:00pm on December 8, 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to include a letter of reference that speaks to their experience working with Indigenous communities, focusing on community involvement and relationship-building efforts. We are particularly interested in learning about contributions and commitment to fostering respectful and collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Review of applications will commence December 9, 2024, and will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. All application materials should be combined into a single PDF and sent to careers@nipissingu.ca.