Posting Reason:
New PositionJob Family:
Academic Leadership and FacultyUnion affiliation:
APUOFaculty/Department:
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs_FTCampus:
Social Sciences BuildingDate Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):
2026/09/02Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Tenure-track faculty positions in Security and Defence Studies
The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa invites applications for two (2) tenure-track faculty positions in the field of security and defence studies. The first position is open rank. The second is at the rank of Assistant Professor.
Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to:
· Canadian defence policy and military affairs
· National security and intelligence policy and governance
· International security policy and strategic studies
· Foreign interference and democratic resilience
· Defence procurement and industrial strategy
· Security implications of geoeconomics
· Area studies with a security and defence studies perspective
· Arctic security
· Emerging technologies and security (cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, autonomous systems)
· Civil-military relations
· Security implications of climate change
· Critical infrastructure protection
The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading university and the largest bilingual university (French and English) in the world. Located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes significantly to the economy, culture and quality of life of Canada’s capital.
The Faculty of Social Sciences comprises nine departments, schools and institutes, which offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in both English and French. With its 10,000 students, 260 full-time professors, and a wide array of programs and research centres, the Faculty of Social Sciences plays a key role at the heart of the University of Ottawa. Its graduate students are trained by excellent researchers and undertake cutting-edge research in the Faculty’s Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Qualifications
· Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs, sociology, economics, law, history, or a related discipline (completed by the time of appointment).
· Demonstrate excellence or the potential for excellence in teaching and research.
· Given the mission of the GSPIA as a professional school of public policy and international affairs that educates future policy leaders, candidates should demonstrate a very strong understanding of governmental institutions, public administration, and policy-making processes in democratic societies. Candidates with policy experience are encouraged to apply.
· For one of the two positions, preference will be given to candidates who are able to teach in French at the time of appointment.
Duties
· Successful candidates will be expected to teach a master’s level course in GSPIA’s MA program in security and defence studies, among other graduate and undergraduate courses;
· Research activities;
· Supervision of graduate students;
· Participating in academic and administrative activities;
· Other activities as specified in the collective agreement.
Terms
Two new tenure-track position. Note that tenure is conditional on active knowledge of Canada's two official languages (English and French).
Salary
Salary scale for an Assistant Professor starts at $99,377 (as of May 1, 2025).
Starting Date
July 1, 2027
Benefits package
The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package, which includes long-term disability insurance, basic group life insurance, health insurance, University of Ottawa pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as reimbursement of eligible relocation expenses.
Location of Work
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, 120 University, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is October 31, 2026; however, applications may be considered after this date until the position is filled.
A complete application must include the following elements:
· Curriculum vitae,
· A letter describing their teaching and research experience and interests,
· A clear statement of their level of fluency in French and English.
Applicants must request that three referees send letters of recommendation directly to:
Professor Costanza Musu
Director, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Ottawa
E-mail: [email protected]
More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.
The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.
All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada
The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.
The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.
Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs, sociology, economics, law, history, or a related discipline, completed by the time of appointment
- Excellence or potential for excellence in teaching and research
- Very strong understanding of governmental institutions, public administration, and policymaking processes in democratic societies
- Active knowledge of Canada's two official languages, English and French, as a condition of tenure
- Ability to teach in French at the time of appointment
University of Ottawa Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about University of Ottawa and has not been reviewed or approved by University of Ottawa.
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Retirement Support — A contributory defined‑benefit pension (UOPP) provides formula‑based lifetime income using best‑average earnings and years of service, with cost‑of‑living adjustments noted in plan materials. The university positions the plan as one of the top DB offerings in Ontario and publishes regular summaries and reports.
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Healthcare Strength — Eligible full‑time employees typically receive extended health and basic dental, life insurance, long‑term disability, and a health‑care spending account, complemented by an EFAP and 24/7 telemedicine. Coverage is designed to complement provincial plans, with UHIP bridging for newcomers not yet eligible for OHIP.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid statutory holidays, a university‑wide winter closure, vacation that increases with service, and reduced summer hours are highlighted as part of the package. Academic leaves such as sabbaticals are also outlined for faculty in their collective agreements.
University of Ottawa Insights
What We Do
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive university in Canada that offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs across ten faculties.








