Deadline: May 12, 2023
York University Post-Doctoral Visitorship (PDV) Programme 2023
Applications are invited for a Post-Doctoral Visitorship (PDV), housed in the Department of Politics at York University, and under the supervision of Professor Leah F. Vosko, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Political Economy of Gender & Work, in collaboration with colleagues involved in the Liberating Migrant Labour Research Partnership.
York University invite applications from scholars who completed a doctorate in September 2019 or later’ (or who have a scheduled defence date) in the Social Sciences, Law or a related discipline and have a research background in fields such as labour studies, migration studies, Indigenous studies, or related areas. The PDV will participate in the SSHRC Partnership Grant funded project titled, “Liberating Migrant Labour?: International Mobility Programs in Settler-Colonial Contexts”.
Project Description:
This multinational interdisciplinary research initiative, involving scholars and partners from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US, explores international mobility programs (IMPs), including programs for postsecondary students and recent graduates, specialized knowledge workers, and intercompany transferees. Compared to traditional guest worker programs that tend to recruit migrant workers into sectors characterized by depressed wages, recruitment challenges, and dirty, difficult, dangerous jobs, such as agriculture, care work, construction, and resource extraction, new ‘mobility programs,’ represent a step forward, as they offer open work permits and, in many cases, pathways to permanent residency. But as the growth of IMPs in settler colonial contexts such as Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US has begun to outpace traditional migrant worker programs, emerging research reveals how new IMPs, devoid of vital regulatory protections, can foster precariousness. “Liberating Migrant Labour?” investigates the conditions and outcomes of IMPS alongside traditional temporary labour migration programs within the context of settler-colonial states, whose political economies are premised upon the dispossession of Indigenous lands, resources, and political autonomy, and immigration regimes shaped historically by racialized distinctions between migrants and settlers.
York University seek to apply a holistic and transnational lens to the current functions and future design of immigration policy, and aim to bring about greater recognition of the link between calls for more liberatory migration policy and decolonial challenges to the dominance of settler state sovereignty and authority over peopling.
Applicants who completed their doctorate between September 2016 and September 2019 who experienced relevant career interruptions or delays are also eligible to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the research team with one or more of the following research activities related to “new” international mobility programs: historical/archival analysis; comparative analysis, using administrative and national survey data; and qualitative data collection and analysis;
- Actively participate in research team meetings and activities, and maintain ongoing communication with team members to support project objectives.
- Contribute to executive-level project coordination through close collaboration and communication with university and community researchers and partner organizations.
Once the PDV is established in their position, they will have opportunities to collaborate on publications, participate in conference presentations, and engage in other forms of knowledge mobilization.
The PDV will receive an annual salary of $50,615 (and access to the benefits offered by York University’s PDV program) prorated based on the hours and number of weeks worked and will have full access to York University libraries. This is a 12 month position, with possibility for renewal.
The PDV will be supervised by Professor Leah F. Vosko and will work closely with lead university-based researchers and partners in the Liberating Migrant Labour? project, as well graduate and undergraduate students.
Skills/Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have graduate level training in qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies, as well as strong skills in sourcing and reviewing scholarly literature. The ideal candidate will possess excellent collaboration skills and the ability to integrate interdisciplinary approaches to their work. Demonstrable proficiency in legal analysis, archival research practices, qualitative interviewing and/or statistical data analysis would be an asset to the role.
Candidates must be available to work in-person on the York University campus in Toronto, Canada, though some work may be completed remotely.
To indicate your interest in this position, submit a cover letter, CV and a sole authored writing sample (does not need to be published), including the names of three references, to Abinaya Gnanasekar (Gender & Work) at [email protected] by May 12, 2023.
Applications will be reviewed starting on May 15, 2023, and applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. The position will begin as soon as possible after hiring. Only considered applicants will be contacted.
