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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Postdoctoral Fellow in Business Sustainability, Brock University (Canada)

  • 1.  POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Postdoctoral Fellow in Business Sustainability, Brock University (Canada)

    Posted 01-10-2023 12:26

    Join one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities and a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara, Brock University is an inclusive, welcoming campus community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities for those with passion, energy and expertise. We're looking for team members who want to help us continue to deliver an exceptional student experience, perform impact-driven research and generate life-changing breakthroughs for our world. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

    We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow trained in advanced qualitative methods to join our research program to investigate the role of public and private institutions in shaping systems for sustainable development and growth.

    This fellowship is funded by a number of existing research grants (two SSHRC Insight Development Grants along with two internal Brock University grants). The postdoctoral fellow will simultaneously work on two major projects: Project AOSTRA and Project Inclusiveness.

    Project AOSTRA is related to the role of public and private institutions in shaping technological and social innovations (Project AOSTRA). This project builds on earlier work and therefore data is already collected. Data for this project comprises historical archival data, which were collected across various museums, archives, and libraries in Canada.

    Project Inclusiveness is aimed at examining the role of location (building, materiality, and the meaning ascribed to these physical elements by the incumbents) on organizations' goals and practices related to inclusiveness. Qualitative data comprising interviews, observations, and documents will be gathered from four Canadian inner-city libraries for this study.

    Data compiled for these projects provide ideal opportunities for new scholarship that would be developed collaboratively between the Postdoctoral Fellow, the principal investigator, and project teams.

    The Postdoctoral Fellow will be supervised by Dr. Asma Zafar (Principal Investigator of Project Inclusiveness) and Dr. Sylvia Grewatsch (Principal Investigator of Project AOSTRA) at Brock University. It is expected that the successful candidate will work full-time, and in close collaboration with the principal investigators and a team of research assistants. The candidate will divide their time on the two projects as follows: Project Inclusiveness 58%, and Project AOSTRA 42%. Candidates should be enthusiastic about qualitative research, working with community partners promoting social innovation, and be willing to work in a fast-paced and high-productivity environment.

    Responsibilities will include:

    • Obtain necessary work-permit and government clearance to work in Canada, if required.
    • Prepare and manage ethic approvals to work independently on qualitative data.
    • Collaborate with the research team in all aspects of the development of scholarly manuscripts, involving data collection, data analysis, review of relevant literature, manuscript preparation and submission, as well as conference presentations.
    • Support and/or lead the development of at least 1-2 peer-reviewed articles per year.
    • Overseeing the day-to-day running of the project.
    • Other project related duties as they emerge.
    • The candidate will have opportunities to develop their own independent research interests, as they align with our project goals, and expand their own networks and their research portfolio.

    Qualifications:

    Successful candidates will possess/demonstrate:

    • Ph.D. degree in a field related to organizational or strategic management, political sciences, sustainability studies, or a closely related field; a strong research interest in sustainable/regenerative business practices and governance is desirable.
    • Experience and knowledge of working with rich qualitative data, including, conducting interviews, ethnographic observations, and managing complex archival datasets.
    • The ability to conduct systematic literature searches.
    • Familiarity with sustainability research, systems thinking, and the resource-constraints and complexities faced by social service entities.
    • Theoretical knowledge related to at least some combinations of the following: social and technological innovation, social entrepreneurship, public-private partnerships, social-ecological systems, the emerging intersection of place and organizational studies.
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills; evidence of the ability to write at a peer-review scientific level must be provided.
    • Fluency in English is required.
    • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
    • Ability to self-motivate and to work semi-independently on research projects through to publication (evidenced in letters of reference and by publication record).
    • Experiences of with working with a large set of archival data and OMEKA are an asset.

    How to apply

    Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest outlining their experience and fit for the position, curriculum vitae, contact information for two academic references, and a job market paper via the online application system. To submit interest, please click the orange "Apply" button at the top or bottom of posting. (Note: file maximum of 5MB per upload).

    If required, supplemental application information beyond the 5MB limit can be sent to Dr. Asma Zafar (azafar@brocku.ca) and Dr. Sylvia Grewatsch (sgrewatsch@brocku.ca) by January 30, 2023. The application deadline is February 1, 2023.

    Salary Information

    The start date for this position is April 1, 2023, but can be negotiated. Anticipated salary ranges from $45,000-50,000/annum (plus benefits and reasonable research/dissemination expenses), dependent on experience and qualifications. This full-time position (40h/week). This is a two-year position, assuming academic achievement at a level at or above expectations, with a formal review after the first year by both Principal Investigators.

    Applicants are required to upload a resume and cover letter as part of the application process.

    Brock University recently paused its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirement although masks are still required in instructional spaces. This decision is subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it. If the University once again requires all employees working on campus and/or in-person with other employees, students, or members of the public to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination.  Those who meet specific and limited medical or human rights accommodation criteria may be required to participate in rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening protocols.

    Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of Employment Equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples including those who identify as members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, members of visible minorities and racialized groups, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply. We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca  to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. It is Brock University's policy to give consideration to qualified internal applicants.


    The application deadline is February 1, 2023. We appreciate all applications received!

    With best regards,
    Asma Zafar and Sylvia Grewatsch  

    Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca



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    Sylvia Grewatsch,
    Assistant Professor for Strategy,
    Goodman School of Business, Brock University
    Canada
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