Riley Postdoctoral Fellowship in Canadian History, Department of History

The Department of History at the University of Winnipeg acknowledges that we live and work in the ancestral and traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew, Assiniboine, Cree, Dakota, Dene, Métis Nations. We also acknowledge that the discipline of history has been used to support programs of dispossession and assimilation directed against Indigenous peoples. Teaching and learning Indigenous histories allows us to confront colonial history as well as honour and respect the people who have called this place home for millennia.

The H. Sanford Riley Fellowship in Canadian History promotes public engagement with the study of Canada’s history at the University of Winnipeg and in the wider community. The Fellowship is made possible by a generous endowment from H. Sanford (Sandy) Riley of Winnipeg, an enthusiastic student of Canada’s history. He is a former Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg and a vigorous supporter of Canada's National History Society. The Fellowship is a component of the H. Sanford Riley Centre for Canadian History.

The Department of History at The University of Winnipeg invites qualified candidates to apply for a one-year or a two-year Riley Postdoctoral Fellowship in Canadian History. The purpose of the Riley Postdoctoral Fellowship is to support recent PhD graduates who are engaged in one or more of the following: (1) undertaking original research; (2) publishing research findings; and (3) research-creation.

DETAILS

• Application Deadline: 30 April 30
• Position Start date: 1 July 2026
• Value of award: $70,000 per year, plus benefits. PDFs are also eligible for a Teaching and Professional Development Account in alignment with amounts outlined in the University of Winnipeg Faculty Association collective agreement.
• Residency: There is no residency requirement associated with this postdoctoral fellowship.

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in Canadian history or other field relevant to Canadian history by the application deadline.
• Applicants must be within 8 years of completion of doctoral defense at the application deadline.
• Postdoctoral Fellow will develop a self-generated program of original research on a topic of Canadian history
• Postdoctoral Fellow will have the support of a member of the Department of History at the University of Winnipeg who will serve as the candidate’s postdoctoral supervisor
• Postdoctoral Fellow will engage in full-time postdoctoral research for the duration of the fellowship
• Postdoctoral Fellow are required to provide an in-person public lecture on their post-doctoral project findings at the University of Winnipeg before the end of their fellowship.
• International applicants must apply for a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada upon approval of position.

ENTITLEMENTS

• UWinnipeg Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible to apply for and hold internal and external research grants, with the support of University of Winnipeg Research Office
• Postdoctoral Fellow is eligible to apply to teach as Contract Academic Staff in the Department of History
• Postdoctoral Fellows are employees of the University of Winnipeg, with all associated responsibilities and supports
• Office space, if available, which may be shared
• Access to photocopying through the History Department
• Access to administrative services
• Access to the University email
• Access to the University library privileges

CONSIDERATIONS        

• Postdoctoral Fellows cannot hold any of the following concurrently for the duration of the fellowship: (1) a tenure-track faculty position; (2) a Tri-Council postdoctoral fellowship
• The University of Winnipeg Postdoctoral Fellow Guidelines govern appointments and privileges of Riley Postdoctoral Fellows.
• To learn more about being a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Winnipeg, see the UWinnipeg Postdoctoral Fellow Services Guide

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Letter of Application, including Program of Work (maximum 1,250 words, plus a 2-page bibliography), including a description of the applicant’s:

• proposed research, and where it fits within Canadian historiography
• PhD dissertation, and its relationship to the proposed research. If the two are closely related, explain how the proposed research will develop or expand on the dissertation
• theoretical perspective and methodological approach
• plans for achieving their research objectives

2. Postdoctoral Supervisor

The Letter of Application should also identify a prospective postdoctoral supervisor in the Department of History at the University of Winnipeg, and explain how a Postdoctoral Fellowship situated in the University of Winnipeg’s Department of History will advance the applicant’s academic objectives. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in advance of submitting their application.

3. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 6 pages)

4. Name and contact information for two references.

• Letters of Reference not required at time of application.

5. Proof of Degree

• Provide proof of Ph.D.
• Proof of successful thesis defense will be accepted for candidates who have successful defended their thesis but have not yet convocated.

Send complete applications as an electronic file (PDF format) to Sandy Tolman, Department Administrator, s.tolman@uwinnipeg.ca. Questions about the Riley Postdoctoral Fellowship to can be directed to Dr. Erin Millions, Chair of the Riley Fellowship Committee, e.millions@uwinnipeg.ca

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at time of application. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.