Research Associate (Limited Term)

Date Posted: 06/11/2025
Req ID: 43411
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Institute of Islamic Studies
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Structural Islamophobia Research Lab (SIRL) at the Institute of Islamic Studies at the University of Toronto invites applications for the position of Research Associate (Limited Term) for a two (2) year appointment.

The Research Associate will examine Canada’s federal immigration law and policy in order to understand the mechanisms through which Muslim-identified individuals face disproportionate scrutiny. Within this broad scope, we invite inquiry into how racial and Orientalist notions are coded into laws, policies and institutional practices in various arenas of the immigration regime, and how these notions may shape regime findings and actions, such as inadmissibility, CBSA stops and detentions, and visa programs from Muslim majority countries. 

The successful applicant will ideally be well-versed in Canada’s immigration regime, while bringing to the study interdisciplinary methodologies from the humanities and interpretive social sciences, including but not limited to critical race and decolonial theoretical approaches, which would inform the project and the analysis undertaken therein.

The anticipated start date is September 1, 2025

Applicants should apply online and include a covering letter, curriculum vitae and three reference names with their contact addresses and phone numbers. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to Professor Anver Emon at anver.emon@utoronto.ca.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: 

• PhD in law or comparable discipline, with emphasis on minority and/or indigenous rights.

Skills:

• 5 years of experience in research on immigration, human rights,  comparative law, international law and TWAIL, critical approaches to law and policy, with preference given to those with experience in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Research and/or work experience with constitutional and administrative courts, and state institutions.
• A proven record of research on immigration laws and policies.
• Experience obtaining and analyzing government data/records including using ATIPs.
• Knowledge of diverse social science methodological approaches.
• An appreciation for the landscape of Islamophobia studies. 
• Experience working with Muslim communities and organizational partners.

Other:

• Experience working in grassroots and community clinics, supporting the vulnerable in claims against the state.
• Language fluency in either one or more of the following: Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Pashto, Swahili.
• Additional skills required include project management, leadership and interpersonal skills to assist in the guidance and implementation of the research project that is comprised of a multi-disciplinary and international team of scholars. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. 

Closing Date: 07/11/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $52,574 - $98,576
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching