Assistant Professor - South Asian History

Date Posted: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 09/29/2026, 11:59PM ET
Req ID: 48724
Job Category: Faculty - Tenure Stream (continuing)
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dept of History
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of History in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in South Asian History. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have earned a PhD degree in History or a closely related field by the date of appointment or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching in South Asian history. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths.

Our department seeks a historian of early modern or modern South Asia who applies an innovative methodology and conducts research in archival sources, defined broadly. The candidate’s research should speak to a variety of cross-cutting themes, which may include but is not limited to transnational circulation and migration, colonialism, economic history, inter-religious public life, and histories of violence. For historians of the early modern period, areas of research focus might include state formation, and the concept of early modernity itself. For scholars of the modern period, specializations might include anti-colonial nationalism, economy and capitalism, and social justice.

The successful candidate will have demonstrable research proficiency in at least one South Asian language, to a superior standard. Candidates who work with Persian and Urdu primary sources are especially encouraged to apply but candidates with superior proficiency in other appropriate languages will also be considered.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated by an especially promising dissertation and/or through a record of high-quality, original, peer-reviewed publications commensurate with their career stage; the submitted research statement; presentations at significant conferences; awards and accolades; and strong endorsements from referees.

The successful candidate must be able to teach a broad range of undergraduate courses in South Asian history and be committed to teaching survey classes that address the early modern and modern periods. Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier (including the required materials outlined below), and strong letters of reference.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program.

In addition, the successful candidate will be assigned a teaching and service load.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range is $120,000 to $160,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

ABOUT US

The Department of History offers exciting opportunities to interpret the past and probe its significance through research, education and life-long learning.

One of the largest history departments in North America, we are home to a critical mass of expertise. Each year, our internationally renowned faculty guide more than 7,000 talented students through the fascinating realm of historical study. Undergraduate courses encompass the globe and span the ages, while the unmatched range and quality of our highly competitive graduate program attract the most dynamic scholars. Active in local, national and international research and public affairs, faculty, students and alumni bring perspectives that enrich dialogues on the most important issues of our time.

For more information visit https://www.history.utoronto.ca/

APPLICATION PROCESS

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by September 29, 2026.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. Applicants must submit the following materials:

• a cover letter;
• a current curriculum vitae;
• a research dossier, consisting of a research statement outlining current and future research interests and a recent chapter or article-length writing sample (published or unpublished) that demonstrates research proficiency in South Asian languages;
• a teaching dossier, including
• a brief account of teaching experience and vision (this statement should include an explanation of how the candidate has addressed or would address equity issues in classroom teaching and supervisory mentorship)
• a proposed syllabus for our survey course HIS282Y, History of South Asia
• a 250-word description of a specialized seminar in South Asian History, that they would envision teaching and
• teaching evaluations, if available;
• the name and contact information of three references.

The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours of an application being submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. Submission guidelines and details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ.

If you have questions about this position, please contact history.ea@utoronto.ca.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence as articulated in University of Toronto’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence. We seek candidates who share these values and who demonstrate throughout the application materials their commitment and efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Please note: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used in the initial screening or assessment of applications; however, all final assessments and hiring decisions are made by the search committee members.

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

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.