Place is not just the surface upon which life happens, but an ongoing state created by process and relations (Massey 1994, 2005; Rose 1993); places are practices (Dehyle 2009). In Indigenous studies, Land refers not only to soil, but to water, air, animals, and most importantly, the relations between them, as Land constitutes the life of the collective (Bang 2014). Land refers not only to the material aspects of Landscape, but also "to its spiritual, emotional, and intellectual aspects" (Cajete 2000; Styres & Zinga 2012; Tuck 2015 and many others). As such, knowledge is situated in place and Land, and extricable from it.

Dr. Max Liboiron invites applications to an open PhD position in place-based knowledge. There is no predetermined project for this position other than that it should use a place or Land-based lens to consider knowledge and/or the creation of knowledge. As this is an interdisciplinary project, applicants can be housed in a range of departments: Geography, Environmental Studies, Sociology, or the Interdisciplinary Program (each has a different application deadline and requirements; applicants should familiarize themselves with the application requirements of their target department). While not required, applicants are encouraged to work within the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR), a feminist marine science and technology lab run by Dr. Liboiron that includes students from both natural and social sciences.

Funding is $19.2k/year (4 years), and additional research or teaching assistant positions may be available in addition to the stipend. Students must pay tuition out of their stipend. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Liboiron (mliboiron [at] mun.ca) and include: a statement of intent outlining the type of project they would like to undertake, including a statement on the politics of that project (feminist or otherwise) and which department they would apply to; a previous research paper; and a CV.

The Interdisciplinary Initiative (IDI) in Applied Indigenous Scholarship at Western University is seeking applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship. Our successful Postdoctoral fellow will develop an independent program of research in areas that could include determinants of Indigenous well-being, Indigenization processes, and reconciliation in post-secondary environments. In carrying out this research, the candidate will draw broadly from theoretical frameworks relevant to Indigenous Studies and methodologies that are consistent with Indigenous research and knowledges.

About us

The IDI in Applied Indigenous Scholarship is a newly funded initiative (2016-2019).The IDI is led by Western University's Indigenous scholars and is reinforced by an interdisciplinary network of 26 scholars and staff representing eight of Western's faculties. Our IDI activities will support the implementation of Western's forthcoming Indigenous Strategic Plan (November 2016) through a number of teaching and research initiatives meant to enhance understanding, foster opportunity and nurture knowledge exchange on Indigenous research, curriculum and competency across the Western community.These include activities such as community outreach activities, development of Memorandums of Understanding with Indigenous communities and organizations, building cultural competency material, and various other activities that will be identified and developed in the near future.

About the position

The successful candidate will be housed in the Faculty of Social Science and will have the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by, an interdisciplinary campus-wide team of scholars, services and academic programs. In addition to their own research program, the candidate will be directly involved in the implementation of activities related to the Indigenous Strategic Plan, as outlined above. This position will provide the candidate with an opportunity to build an innovative and well-supported research program, while at the same time, developing programmatic skills related to administrative planning, curriculum development and community engagement, among various other activities deemed relevant to the IDI.

Eligibility Requirements

We are seeking an Indigenous candidate with a PhD in relevant areas of study. We expect that the Candidate will demonstrate thorough knowledge, experience and passion relating to Indigenous matters and methodologies. We expect the candidate should live within commutable distance to London and must be on campus at least three days a week. We are prepared to support our successful candidate with a one-time moving allowance.

Rate of pay

The successful candidate will earn an annual salary of $45,000, with a $5,000 annual research budget.

How to apply

Please append CV, Cover letter, Summary of Research Interests and the contact information of three referees (including PhD Supervisor) in a single pdf by email to Professor Chantelle Richmond by September 14, 2016. cag Eligible candidates will be interviewed by telephone or in person. More information about postdoctoral studies at Western is available at: http://grad.uwo.ca/postdoctoral/prospective_postdocs.htm