Deadline: July 10, 2026
Applications are open for the Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies 2026-2027. The African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto, an academic unit in the Faculty of Arts and Science, invites applications for a prestigious endowed postdoctoral fellowship, the Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies.
Historically established at New College in 1978, African Studies at the University of Toronto, African Studies at the University of Toronto is a leading undergraduate program in Canada and among the top in North America. The Centre provides a vibrant intellectual, social, and cultural hub for the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary study of African societies and their diasporas, with a strong commitment to public scholarship, social justice, inclusivity, epistemic diversity, and community engagement.
Supported by a generous gift from Mr. Richard Rooney and the Faculty of Arts and Science, this inaugural fellowship offers an outstanding opportunity for emerging scholars to contribute to innovative research and knowledge production in African Studies. The fellow will join a collaborative and supportive academic community and will be selected from an international pool based on research excellence, demonstrated potential, and alignment with the Centre’s scholarly priorities.
Areas of Research and Duties
The areas of research are African Studies (broadly defined), including but not limited to social sciences, humanities, creative arts, and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary fields grounded in Africa and its diasporas. Research that advances decolonizing approaches and innovative directions in the field is particularly welcome.
The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellow in African Studies will conduct independent, innovative, and impactful research aligned with the African Studies Centre. The fellow will:
- Develop and carry out a research program contributing to scholarly knowledge in African Studies
- Engage with faculty mentors and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines
- Participate actively in the intellectual life of the Centre, including seminars, events, and public scholarship initiatives
- Contribute to knowledge dissemination locally, in Africa, and globally
- Support the Centre’s commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement
The fellow will be selected based on academic excellence, research achievements, future potential, and alignment with the Centre’s research priorities.
Benefits
- Fellows are offered a salary of $70,000 per year, plus benefits.
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to domestic and international candidates who have or will have successfully completed their PhD degree between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2026.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields
- Have recently been awarded a PhD or equivalent degree by the application deadline
- Be eligible to start a postdoctoral position in the African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto by November 1, 2026
Public intellectual work and community engagement experience and commitment will be considered an asset.
Application
All individuals interested in this position must submit the following documents as a single PDF document (filename: LastName_FirstName.pdf) to [email protected] by the closing date:
- Letter of application (including a cover letter and a statement of research and contributions, max. 3 pages)
- A page describing how the applicant will contribute to the African Studies Centre and the University of Toronto (1 page)
- Detailed CV
- Research proposal (2 pages) outlining the proposed research project, its importance and impact, how it aligns with the applicant’s academic/professional goals, and its intended contributions
- Names and contact information for three academic references
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
For more information, visit Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship.
