Assistant Professor in Human Geography and Migration
Last updated: October 16, 2025, 2:59 p.m.
Job title: Assistant Professor in Human Geography and Migration
Position code: 25-E-GEOG-O
Date posted: October 10, 2025
Application deadline: December 1, 2025
Advertised until: Position is filled
Position description
The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Human Geography and Migration at the rank of Assistant Professor. Duties include research, teaching at both graduate and undergraduate levels, and service to the institution.
The successful candidate will have a research program primarily focused on contemporary human migration, relying on empirical qualitative or quantitative research methods. The country or region of focus and methodological specialization are open. Research themes can include (but are not limited to): digital technologies, immigration policies, climate change and human migration, migration intermediaries or migrant decision-making.
Duties include research, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and service to the institution. The successful candidate will contribute to the research program of the multi-institutional Canada First Research Excellence Fund of which Concordia is part, entitled, "Canada Migrant Integration in the mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides". The successful candidate will also be expected to engage meaningfully in the strategic development and scholarly activities of the Faculty of Arts and Science Institute for Migration and Society.
Qualifications and assets
Candidates must have completed their PhD in Geography or a related field. The main criteria for selection are scholarly and teaching excellence. The successful candidate will provide evidence of high-quality scholarly output that demonstrates potential for independent research leading to peer assessed publications and the securing of external research funding, as well as strong potential for outstanding teaching contributions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are encouraged to share any career interruptions or personal circumstances that may have had an impact on their career goals in their letter of application. These will be carefully considered in the assessment process. The Department values diversity among its faculty and strongly encourages applications from those who will contribute to that profile. Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic functions of the university, proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of French, including reading and grading student work in French, is an asset.
How to apply
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements:
Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
or
No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Concordia University is strongly committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and recognizes the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence in teaching and research. As part of this commitment to providing our students with the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive educational environment of a Next‐Generation University, we require all applicants to articulate in their EDI statement how their background, as well as lived and professional experiences and expertise have prepared them to teach in ways that are relevant for a diverse, multicultural contemporary Canadian society.
Possible examples to demonstrate a diverse experience may include, but are not limited to:
• teaching about underrepresented populations
• mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds
• relevant community work and/or organizing work
• offering or organizing educational programming
• participation in training and workshops
All applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a short equity survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary and no identifying information about candidates will be shared with hiring committees. Candidates who wish to self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group to the hiring committee may do so in their cover letter or by writing directly to the contact person indicated in this posting.
Applications should be addressed to: Dr. Craig Townsend, Chair of the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, and must include a cover letter clearly identifying the title and position code (25-E-GEOG-O), a detailed curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, a research statement which must include a section on how the candidate intends to contribute to the “Canada Migrant Integration in the mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides” project and to the Institute for Research on Migration and Society and three names and addresses of potential referees. Electronic applications should be submitted to chair.gpe@concordia.ca by Monday, December 1, 2025 but will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The appointment is expected to commence in August 2026.
Adaptive measures
Applicants who anticipate requiring adaptive measures throughout any stage of the recruitment process may contact, in confidence, the equity office at: equity@concordia.ca.
About us
The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment focuses on the processes and practices of human intervention in the environment, broadly understood. The department is a welcoming and highly interdisciplinary unit with human geographers, urban planners, and environmental scientists. Many of the geographers in the department study the social forces that shape and result from techno-scientific knowledges and practices. As well, several scholars research the interconnections between political economy and various forms of difference including race and racialization. Scholars in the department explore such interventions through studies of literature (geohumanities), cultural and political geographies, political economy, environmental justice, studies of human settlements, geospatial technologies, biophysical spaces, and more.
The Department aims to create the conditions for research that engages multiple intellectual and political horizons and to foster the kinds of reflection and action required by the challenges of the present moment. The curriculum reflects a balance among theoretical, technical, and applied elements, and promotes critical thinking and environmental and spatial awareness and literacy. The Department aims to train professional geographers, environmental scientists, and urban planners, as well as to produce articulate and informed graduates who are committed to improving the quality and sustainability of the natural, human, and built environment.
At the undergraduate level the Department offers honours, specialization, and major programs leading to a BA in the Human Environment, Urban Planning or Urban Studies, and a BSc in Environmental and Sustainability Science or Environmental Geography. In addition, we offer minor and certificate programs in Geospatial Technologies. At the graduate level the Department offers a PhD and MSc in Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies and a Diploma in Environmental Assessment and Masters in Environment: Environmental Assessment.
For more information, please visit the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment website.
The Faculty of Arts and Science is the largest faculty at Concordia. Through our 27 departmental units and our several research centers, we foster an inclusive and supportive environment, where knowledge generation and innovation thrive in the Humanities, the Social and the Natural Sciences. We have a strong tradition of connection with communities. Our research and creative activities are both disciplinarily grounded as well as resolutely interdisciplinary and interconnected. Our scholars tackle the complex issues facing our world globally and locally. Our teachers activate students to make an impact. Our students challenge conventional ways of thinking and doing.
Our research activity is funded by Tri-Council agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC), from the FRQ (FRSQ, FQRNT, and FQRSC), as well as national and international funding bodies, both public and private. Our academic communities develop and utilize cutting-edge pedagogical tools and strategies with an emphasis on experiential learning to teach within and across boundaries.
For more information, please visit the Faculty of Arts and Science website.
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