Assistant Professors of Library & Information Studies

Location - These roles are in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta invites applications from qualified candidates for two (2) tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Library & Information Studies. The successful candidates will contribute to a well established successful and internationally accredited program currently supporting approximately 300 students in hybrid and asynchronous online streams. The preferred start date is July 1 2027 but is negotiable.

We seek applicants who are intellectually curious excited about rigorous research and scholarship and its applications committed to high quality teaching and learning in face-to-face and online environments and who extend our interests in the public good Indigenization and the global information professions as they are practiced in diverse communities.

Applicants must have both graduate-level teaching experience relevant to the Schools evolving MLIS curriculum and demonstrated expertise and scholarship in or informing library and information studies in one of the following areas.

• AI Data Documentation Leadership or Management studies
• Indigenous LIS
• Information ethics
• Information organization & knowledge systems
• Intellectual freedom & social responsibility

• Teaching (40%). The incumbents will be expected to teach revise and develop a variety of both foundational and elective courses within the MLIS that are delivered on-campus and asynchronously online; integrate advances in educational technologies; apply innovative pedagogies; and ensure alignment with the 2023 ALA accreditation standards. Additional duties include substantial academic advising and supporting thesis-based students including in the combined MA (DH)/MLIS program.
• Research and Scholarship (40%). The incumbents will be expected to advance a program of funded research publish research in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant sources present at conferences and otherwise contribute to the creation and dissemination of new knowledge in the identified field(s) of expertise and engagement. Diverse approaches to research and scholarship are welcome. The Colleges Office of Research provides various supports for faculty researchers.
• Service (20%). The incumbents will be expected to participate in significant service and professional development activities that advance LIS education locally nationally and internationally; serve on committees within the School Faculty and University; contribute to the ongoing development and (re)accreditation of the MLIS program; and support the Universitys commitments to access community belonging and Reconciliation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in LIS or a closely related field. Doctoral candidates near completion will also be considered.
• Demonstrated graduate-level teaching experience
• Demonstrated research expertise in a relevant area with a focus on innovative knowledge creation dissemination and engagement with relevant communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MLIS or equivalent from an accredited program is highly desirable.
• Prior experience teaching online is an asset.

About the School of Library & Information Studies

The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) has proudly offered the only American Library Association (ALA)-accredited Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS) program in the Prairie Provinces for 50 years. This flagship program situated within the Faculty of Education has been available in both hybrid and online modalities since 2013 and holds the distinction of being Canadas longest-running fully online graduate program in LIS. Beyond the MLIS SLIS further enhances its offerings with the joint Master of Arts in Digital Humanities (MA DH)/MLIS and the combined Master of Business Administration (MBA)/MLIS degrees.

A core value of the School is its commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples which includes Indigenous students and instructors. We are deeply committed to advancing the SLIS vision mission and values alongside key institutional strategies including All Together the Faculty strategic plan Braiding Past Present & Future the Indigenous strategic plan and Changing the Story the access community and belonging action plan. We foster a collaborative supportive academic community and actively seek candidates who possess the ability and willingness to work in a collegial environment.

For more information about the School please visit our web site at and Living in Edmonton

Benefits Health & Wellness

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account parental leave medical leave pension and retirement benefits. For faculty members some moving and relocation expenses may be reimbursed. Spouses/partners are offered employment services through the Universitys Spousal/Partner Employment the Faculty of Education candidates whose spouses or partners are eligible for academic faculty positions are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with the Dean at the offer stage or during employment. We value minimizing the long-distance separation of families whenever possible subject to budgetary and staffing needs. The North Campus offers a medical clinic and nearby childcare and housing options.

Living in Edmonton

The University of Alberta is located in Edmonton Alberta a vibrant cosmopolitan city situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis Homeland with a metro population of 1.7 million people. As Albertas capital Edmonton is a major cultural educational and economic hub that blends urban sophistication with natural beauty featuring North Americas largest continuous urban parkland system along the stunning North Saskatchewan River Valley.
Known globally as the Festival City Edmonton hosts over 50 annual festivals that celebrate arts culture and a highly collaborative community spirit. For scholars in library and information studies the city offers a uniquely rich environment deeply invested in lifelong learning public literacy and community education. Edmonton is home to a progressive deeply engaged information ecosystem including the internationally recognized award-winning Edmonton Public Library (EPL) system extensive government and corporate archives and the University of Albertas world-class library networkone of the largest research library systems in North America.
Offering an exceptional quality of life Edmonton combines a thriving culinary scene a diverse arts community and excellent schools with a relatively low cost of living and high standard of living compared to other major Canadian metropolitan areas making it a welcoming and livable city for academics and their families.

How to Apply:

Please read the application instructions carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please submit the following files online using the Universitys application portal.

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae (CV)
3. Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)
4. Research statement (1-2 pages)
5. One sample of scholarly work.
6. Contact information for three references. Referees will be contacted and asked to supply letters only if a candidate is shortlisted. Please alert potential references in advance as the reference letter collection phase will be limited in duration.

The closing date is October 30 2026.

The successful candidates will be offered a tenure-track appointment at the rank ofAssistant Professor including a comprehensivebenefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed bySchedule A of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.