Education - (2) Assistant Professors (Open, Digital, and Distance Education)

Guided by Like No Other, Athabasca University’s (AU) strategic plan, AU’s approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Our academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background. 

Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, Alberta, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. We are a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 35,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world. 

AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission. We are strongly committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and with Indigenous Peoples and communities, conciliation. 

Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to grow our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. With an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute, learn and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development. 

Assistant Professors for Open, Digital, and Distance Education (tenure-track).The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest Faculty in Athabasca University and offers a wide range of online courses and programs in the areas of education, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, and social sciences.

In the words of the Dean of the Faculty, "Our undergraduate and graduate courses and programs have been designed to equip our learners with critical discernment, information literacy, theoretical knowledge, and other relevant skills in our rapidly evolving globalized societies to develop an understanding of current and historical issues.

Committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is home to highly accomplished faculty and tutors with robust and innovative research and teaching portfolios, as well as many dedicated staff.

The faculty takes pride in being student-centred and committed to making our learners' journeys rich, meaningful, and memorable. Please make sure to browse through the faculty's website to learn more about our courses, programs, and people."

The Positions
The Open, Digital, and Distance Education Programs, in Athabasca University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, invite applications for two tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor.  These are full-time positions commencing February 1, 2025. Athabasca University is a fully accredited, postsecondary institution with a commitment to facilitating open access to education.

We are hiring for two positions in the Masters of Open, Digital and Distance Education, and the Doctorate of Distance Education programs. For both positions, a completed Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education, Educational Technology, Instructional Technology, or a related field is required. 

Position A: 
We are seeking a candidate with an active research program in one or more of the following areas: instructional design, learning design, generative artificial intelligence, micro-credentials, augmented reality or gamification.  Research programs in related fields may be considered.

Position B:
We are seeking a candidate with an active research program in one or more of the following areas: Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies in distance education; Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies in education; blended or online rural education; blended or online education for remote underserved populations.  Research programs in related fields may be considered.

The successful candidates are expected to teach in the Master of Education and Doctor of Education programs.  All teaching is fully online.  Experience with online systems of course offerings and distance education are required.  Experience teaching online in graduate programs is required.  Experience supervising graduate students is preferred.  The candidates will be expected to develop new courses as determined by the needs of the program and their research interests. The candidates will also coordinate and revise existing courses in the program. Evidence of research excellence at the graduate level, i.e., a robust research portfolio and a successful record of securing tri-agency or similar funds, is required. All faculty members are expected to participate in administrative committees, including those pertaining to centre, faculty, or university-wide endeavors. Additionally, members are expected to participate in service to the greater external community. 

Awareness and knowledge about open education is an asset.  All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.
The full job profile can be viewed at: Academic Role Description

Qualifications: 
All qualified candidates will be considered. Applications will only be received and accepted through our online recruitment system. When applying, please include:

• A letter of application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Evidence of research effectiveness including
• A research statement
• A published article
• One or more research outputs (formal or informal knowledge dissemination that you want to highlight based on the CV)
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, ideally a teaching dossier including
• A teaching philosophy statement
• Teaching or course evaluations if available
• A sample syllabus
• Artifact of teaching initiatives (e.g., websites, videos, podcasts)
• Names and contact information of three referees

Please note that applications from those with incomplete doctorates will not be reviewed. 

Contact Information
For further information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Alexa DeGagne, Chair of Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences via email at [email protected]

Athabasca First
Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to the Town of Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.

What AU Offers: 
Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:

• Defined Benefits Pension Plan
• Alberta Health Care
• Extended Health Care
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Vacation
• Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Discretionary Benefit Fund
• AU Course Allowance
• A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Educational credentials will be verified before an offer of employment is extended. An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials. 

All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.  

E-Transcripts shared directly from your Post-Secondary Institution via email are acceptable. 

WES https://www.wes.org/ca/ may be used to verify international educational credentials. Processing time for verification of international qualifications may take up to one month; please plan accordingly. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. 

Athabasca University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of visible minorities. 

Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference.

Working outside of Canada is not supported by Athabasca University. You are legally not permitted to work for Athabasca University if you are living outside of Canada.