Postdoctoral Fellowship┋Area of Research: French Studies

The Department of French in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a 24-month postdoctoral fellowship effective January 1st, 2026.

Eligibility

1. The applicant either: a) has obtained a Ph.D. (normally within the last 5 years) or b) will have obtained a Ph.D. by the start date of the fellowship.
2. The applicant has an excellent research profile in French Studies (Literature or Linguistics).
3. The applicant has excellent proficiency in French.
4. The applicant has secured the sponsorship of an eligible supervisor, chosen from the professorate within the Graduate Department of French. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate directly with a potential supervisor.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Originality, importance, and impact of the proposed research. 
2. Feasibility of the proposed research. 
3. Excellence and research potential of the candidate:  
   - fellowships, scholarships, or other awards;  
   - previous research experience; 
   - publications in top-ranked and field-relevant academic journals;  
   - timely completion of doctoral studies.  
4. Capacity to teach a variety of courses offered within the department and experience teaching at the university level.  

Salary

$50,000 per annum 

The salary constitutes compensation for the following key responsibilities:

1. Working on a research project.
2. Participating in the intellectual life of the Department of French. 

In addition to the above salary, the successful applicant will be offered a minimum of one half-course as assigned by the Department of French.

This position will be held in the Department of French at the University of Toronto, St. George campus, in downtown Toronto and requires the fellow to be on campus. For more information about the University of Toronto and the Department of French, please visit www.utoronto.ca and www.french.utoronto.ca.  

All qualified candidates are invited to address their signed and dated application to Professor Patrick Thériault, the Graduate Chair of the Department of French.  

Complete applications must include:

1. A curriculum vitae;  
2. A cover letter of no more than two single-spaced pages (in French);  
3. A research project (no more than 4 pages, plus bibliography);
4. One letter of reference written by the postdoctoral supervisor in the French Department;
5. One additional letter of reference. Both letters (dated, signed and on letterhead) must be addressed to the Graduate Chair of the Department of French. Reference letters should be sent directly by the referees, preferably in PDF format, (with “Postdoctoral Fellowship” and the applicant’s name in the subject line);
6. A teaching dossier, which includes the following: course evaluations or other evidence of teaching competence, and a course proposal for a special or advanced topic seminar in your area of research.

Please send applications and reference letters (in French or English) by October 10, 2025 to Timothy Robinson at french.gradcounsellor@utoronto.ca.  

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

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

Closing Date: October 10, 2025  

Expected start date: January 1, 2026 

Term: 24 months (non-renewable) 

FTE: 100%

The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and professional development and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.

Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

Employment as a Course Instructor at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.