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 37,000 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.
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.
Athabasca University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciencesinvites applications for two tenure-track academic positions in the field of Legal Studies.
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest Faculty at Athabasca University and is home to a diverse community of educators, researchers, and learners committed to excellence in online education. As the Dean notes:
"We offer a diverse range of courses and programs in education, distance education, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, and social sciences. Our undergraduate and graduate offerings are designed to equip you with critical thinking skills, information literacy, theoretical knowledge, and other essential competencies to navigate our rapidly changing world and deepen your understanding of both current and historical issues.
We are committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusiveness, collegiality, openness, and cultural awareness, and furthering access, belonging, and accountability within the Faculty and beyond. Our Faculty includes accomplished scholars and instructors with expertise in innovative research and teaching, supported by a dedicated team of staff.
We take great pride in being a student-centered Faculty, focused on ensuring that your academic journey is rich, meaningful, and memorable."
The Positions:
Applicants must clearly indicate in their cover letter whether they are applying for Position A or Position B.
Position A
This position at the rank of Assistant Professor commencing December 1, 2026 is a full-time position located in Alberta.
Athabasca University is a fully accredited and comprehensive academic and research post-secondary institution with a commitment to facilitating open access to education.
The Legal Studies area which includes the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting program is housed within the largest Faculty, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, in Athabasca University's Centre for Social Sciences.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach new courses, based on their research expertise and as determined by the needs of the program. The candidate will also teach, coordinate, and revise the existing courses in the program. Evidence of a strong research record and teaching excellence is required, and experience in supervising graduate students will be considered an asset. When opportunities arise, the successful candidate will be required to teach in the graduate program(s). Commitment to exploring and advancing the use of contemporary digital technologies in online teaching and learning is preferred. All faculty members are expected to participate inadministrative committees, including those pertaining to centre, faculty, or university-wide endeavors. Additionally, members are expected to participate in service to the greater external community.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Law and have demonstrated excellence in teaching, a robust research record, and success in securing Tri-Agency or comparable external research funding. Applications are particularly encouraged from those whose scholarship critically addresses law in society. We are seeking a candidate with an active research program in one or more of the following areas: commercial law, dispute resolution, Indigenous laws, jurisprudence or legislative drafting. Candidates should address their areas of course specialization and preferred areas of course development and research in their cover letter. Experience in distance learning and familiarity with digital teaching technologies would also be preferred assets.
Position B
This position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor commencing December 1, 2026, is a full-time position located in Alberta.
Athabasca University is a fully accredited and comprehensive academic and research post-secondary institution with a commitment to facilitating open access to education.
The Legal Studies area which includes the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting program is housed within the largest Faculty, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, in Athabasca University's Centre for Social Sciences.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach new courses, based on their research expertise and as determined by the needs of the program. The candidate will also teach, coordinate, and revise the existing courses in the program. Evidence of a strong research record and teaching excellence is required, and experience in supervising graduate students will be considered an asset. The successful candidate will be required to teach in the graduate program(s). Commitment to exploring and advancing the use of contemporary digital technologies in online teaching and learning is preferred. All faculty members are expected to participate inadministrative committees, including those pertaining to centre, faculty, or university-wide endeavors. Additionally, members are expected to participate in service to the greater external community.In addition to teaching in the undergraduate Legal Studies program, the successful candidate will teach in the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting and will serve as its Program Director. This administrative responsibility includes a stipend and a partial teaching release.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Law and will have demonstrated excellence in teaching, a robust research record, and success in securing Tri-Agency or comparable external research funding. Applicants must demonstrate scholarship that critically addresses law in society, with expertise in legislative drafting, statutory interpretation, public law, or a closely related field. Experience in legislative drafting would be viewed as a strong qualification. Candidates should address their areas of course specialization and preferred areas of course development and research in their cover letter. Experience in distance learning and familiarity with digital teaching technologies would also be preferred assets.
The institutional academic job profile can be viewed at:Academic Role Description
For further information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Marc Nesca, Associate Dean by phone at 1-866-441.5459 or by e-mail [email protected].
To Apply:
Applications will only be received and accepted through our online recruitment system. When applying, please include:
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a letter of application
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curriculum vitae
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evidence of research effectiveness including
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a research statement
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one or more research outputs (formal or informal knowledge dissemination that you want to highlight based on the CV)
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evidence of teaching effectiveness, ideally a teaching dossier including
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a teaching philosophy statement
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teaching or course evaluations, if available
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a sample syllabus
Note: Applications from those with incomplete doctorates will not be reviewed.
Work at AU
A university like no other for people like no other
Athabasca University (AU) has widened access and increased opportunity to higher education for over 50 years for everyone by providing access to high-quality university education and professional development for students by removing physical, digital and systemic barriers to learning and success.
An open and online university, AU is a unique hybrid workplace with more than 1300 staff working across five faculties and six portfolios. From AU’s home on the Indigenous lands of Treaty 6, Treaty 8 and Metis Northern Alberta, we are Alberta’s only rurally-situated university with:
- Over 37,000 students across five faculties—with 33,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students
- 900 courses over 70 programs—with choices from micro-credential and baccalaureate to masters and doctoral levels
- Some of the country’s most well established and largest accredited academic and professional programs in business, registered nurse and nurse practitioner programs, science, and humanities & social sciences
- 560,000 alumni across 101 countries
As Alberta and Canada’s premier and largest online university, AU’s commitment to widening access and participation has been consolidated under its current Like No Other Strategic Plan, which focuses on fostering a better and more equitable world via teaching, research, and impact in place and digital space.
Under the Like No Other plan, AU seeks to be a trust- and team-oriented workplace focused on quality and innovation in which everyone is respected authentically and is and feels welcome.
Putting our learners at the centre, AU seeks to reduce barriers to access, build opportunities for growth, and foster community and connection while integrating equity, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous conciliation, and transformative systems across our activities and impacts.
AU’s centre for Indigenous peoples and communities, Nukskahtowin (or “Meeting Place”), is a welcoming place for all people and ideas to come together. Since 2001, the main goal has been to recognize and develop traditional Indigenous knowledge and to support, protect, and keep Indigenous knowledge, education, and oral traditions strong. After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we renewed our commitment to all forms of Indigeneity at AU.
Acting from values, AU is committed in our systems and practices to working together to create a respectful, safe, and healthy environment in which to work and learn. The university, staff and students share the responsibility of creating and fostering a safe, healthy, and respectful working and learning environment.
AU seeks to be and build a welcoming community and connection in place and digital space. Throughout the year, AU has a range of in-person, hybrid, and online activities that span working, team meetings, retreats, and staff celebrations. AU’s campus in Athabasca has been modernized over the past years to create an attractive and inclusive workplace for all people and teams with capacity for small to large gatherings and hybrid events, as well as portfolio, faculty, and organization-wide professional development, retreats, and celebrations. With onsite library, laboratory and makerspace facilities for staff and students, AU seeks to build culture and community throughout the year through a program of staff professional development and recreational activities.
Considerations in applying
A hybrid workplace, AU encourages applications from all eligible candidates—women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply.
AU is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible workplace and learning environment that supports students and staff with disabilities, aiming to remove social, physical, and technological barriers. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].
AU recognizes that life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness) are expected to have an impact on any candidate’s record of achievement. These impacts should be taken into consideration during the hiring process.
Athabasca First
Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to 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:
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Defined Benefits Pension Plan
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Alberta Health Care
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Extended Health Care
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Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
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Disability Coverage
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Vacation
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Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
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Discretionary Benefit Fund
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AU Course Allowance
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A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
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Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
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.
While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference. Successful applicants must reside in Alberta, Canada. Working outside of Canada is not supported by AU. You are legally not permitted to work for AU if you are living outside of Canada.
