The African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto, an academic unit in the Faculty of Arts and Science, invites applications for a prestigious endowed postdoctoral fellowship, the Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies.
Historically established at New College in 1978, African Studies at the University of Toronto, African Studies at the University of Toronto is a leading undergraduate program in Canada and among the top in North America. The Centre provides a vibrant intellectual, social, and cultural hub for the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary study of African societies and their diasporas, with a strong commitment to public scholarship, social justice, inclusivity, epistemic diversity, and community engagement.
Supported by a generous gift from Mr. Richard Rooney and the Faculty of Arts and Science, this inaugural fellowship offers an outstanding opportunity for emerging scholars to contribute to innovative research and knowledge production in African Studies. The fellow will join a collaborative and supportive academic community and will be selected from an international pool based on research excellence, demonstrated potential, and alignment with the Centre’s scholarly priorities.
Area of Research:
African Studies (broadly defined), including but not limited to social sciences, humanities, creative arts, and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary fields grounded in Africa and its diasporas. Research that advances decolonizing approaches and innovative directions in the field is particularly welcome.
Description of duties:
The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellow in African Studies will conduct independent, innovative, and impactful research aligned with the African Studies Centre. The fellow will:
- Develop and carry out a research program contributing to scholarly knowledge in African Studies
- Engage with faculty mentors and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines
- Participate actively in the intellectual life of the Centre, including seminars, events, and public scholarship initiatives
- Contribute to knowledge dissemination locally, in Africa, and globally
- Support the Centre’s commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement
The fellow will be selected based on academic excellence, research achievements, future potential, and alignment with the Centre’s research priorities.
Salary:
$70,000 per year, plus benefits
Please note that should the minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement fall below the rates stated in this posting, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.
Required qualifications:
The Fellowship is open to domestic and international candidates who have or will have successfully completed their PhD degree between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2026.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields
- Have recently been awarded a PhD or equivalent degree by the application deadline
- Be eligible to start a postdoctoral position in the African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto by November 1, 2026
Public intellectual work and community engagement experience and commitment will be considered an asset.
Application instructions:
All individuals interested in this position must submit the following documents as a single PDF document (filename: LastName_FirstName.pdf) to afrc@utoronto.ca by the closing date:
- Letter of application (including a cover letter and a statement of research and contributions, max. 3 pages)
- A page describing how the applicant will contribute to the African Studies Centre and the University of Toronto (1 page)
- Detailed CV
- Research proposal (2 pages) outlining the proposed research project, its importance and impact, how it aligns with the applicant’s academic/professional goals, and its intended contributions
- Names and contact information for three academic references
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date: July 10, 2026
Expected start date: November 1, 2026
Term: 12 months
FTE: This is a full-time position.
The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and professional development and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.
Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship Application – Download PDF Copy
Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact: businessofficer.afr@utoronto.ca