Assistant Professor - Food Studies

University of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough invites applications for a full-time tenure-stream Assistant Professor in Food Studies, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. The appointment will be affiliated with the Culinaria Research Centre and the UTSC Food Studies program.

Candidates must have a PhD in Food Studies or related discipline, a record of excellence in research and teaching, and a demonstrated commitment to equity,

Qualifications

• PhD in Food Studies or related discipline by appointment
• Demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching in Food Studies
• Evidence of research excellence through publications, statements, and referees
• Teaching dossier including evidence of teaching performance
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion in materials and practice
• Interdisciplinary scholarship bridging humanities/social sciences with science

Responsibilities

• Pursue innovative independent research in food and sustainability connected to environmental factors
• Establish a competitive externally funded research program at the Culinaria Research Centre
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in the department
• Contribute to service duties within the department and university

Skills

Interdisciplinary research

Teaching excellence

Community engagement

Education

PhD in Food Studies

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences (DPES) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a full-time tenure-stream position in the field of Food Studies. 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 Food Studies or a related discipline by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching in Food Studies. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths . The proposed position would add to the existing departmental research performed within the Food and Environmental Studies discipline. This discipline incorporates a humanities and social science focus within the broader science department. Demonstrated commitment to the interdisciplinary field of Food Studies through scholarship, teaching, and professional activity is essential. We look for a scholar conducting culturally aware, community-engaged research with global scope.

Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated through a record of publications in top-ranked Food Studies journals or forthcoming publications that meet high international standards; the submitted research statement that outlines a high quality and innovative multi-year research plan; presentations at significant conferences; awards and accolades; and strong endorsements from referees of high standing.

Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through teaching accomplishments, the teaching dossier (including the required materials outlined below, as well as evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities), and strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor in kitchen, farm, or lecture contexts, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters.

Candidates must also show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and to the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment, as demonstrated through the application materials.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research in the broad area of food and sustainability, with clear connection to the impact of environmental factors on food and culinary practices. They will also establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program affiliated with the Culinaria Research Centre .

In addition, the successful candidate will be assigned a teaching and service load. The position requires teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, as well as providing service to the Department and University. The UTSC Food Studies program emphasizes experiential learning in the Culinaria Kitchen Laboratory.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range is $120,000-$145,000 CAD per annum, depending on experience. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

ABOUT US

The appointment is at the University of Toronto Scarborough, which is a research-intensive campus with a commitment to interdisciplinary research, a multicultural student body, and a modern campus. The University offers the opportunity to conduct research, teach, and live in one of the most diverse cities of the world. The appointment is in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences with full membership in the tri-campus Graduate Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences incorporating activity across all three campuses of the University of Toronto. At the University of Toronto Scarborough, the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences is a multidisciplinary unit comprised of four primary groups: Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Food & Environmental Studies and Physics & Astrophysics.

All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by 11:59 PM EST on November 23, 2026.

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 research statement outlining current and future research interests;
• samples of recent scholarly work (specific to the field of Food Studies);
• a teaching dossier, including:
• a one-page teaching statement,
• sample course materials,
• sample course syllabi, and
• teaching evaluations or evidence of superior performance in other teaching-related activities as listed above;
• 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.

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 aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening our academic mission.

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 [e-mail] .