The African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to support the expansion of the research and teaching ecosystem around Africa and Black Diaspora Studies (ABLD) at McMaster University.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Africa and Black Diaspora Studies

African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM) Network

McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work with the African Caribbean Faculty

Association of McMaster (ACFAM) Network on expanding the ecosystem for research and teaching on

Africa and Black Diaspora Studies (ABLD) at McMaster University.

Over the past decade, members of the ACFAM Network have worked with leaders and allies across

the University to initiate and support academic, research and service initiatives that promote Black

and Afro-diasporic scholarship and communities. One of the initiatives seeded by ACFAM members is

Africa and Black Diaspora Studies (ABLD) at McMaster University. ABLD began as an interdisciplinary

minor, and is expanding into a robust ecosystem of research, teaching and community-engaged

initiatives focused on the study of Black and Afro-diasporic peoples around the world.

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) who will work closely with ACFAM and ABLD members

to support and execute these multi-stakeholder initiatives. Specific responsibilities may include the

following:

• Lead the development of ACFAM-focused impact reports and communications material

• Supporting the coordination of ACFAM activities including the Black Student Mentorship

Program (BSMP), THRIVE Faculty Mentorship Initiative, among others.

• Working collaboratively to organize and contribute towards ABLD-focused symposia,

conferences, public events, and research activities

• Teach up to 1 ABLDs-relevant course in an area of competence and overlapping interest

(schedule-permitting)

• Conducting background research, drafting material and/or supporting institutional proposals

and external grant-writing for ACFAM and ABLD.

• Supporting with the supervision of undergraduate and graduate research assistants and

providing research and program related mentorship to them.

• NOTE: time, mentorship and resources will be made available to support postdoctoral-led

research activities that align with the broad scope of our initiative and mission.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• *PhD (completed or about to obtain) in any discipline with a research focus relevant to Africa

and Black Diaspora Studies. (*Candidate must have been awarded a PhD within the past five

years.)

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Black Studies community in Canada

• Demonstrated capacity in multi-stakeholder engagement including students, Black community

members, faculty, and senior administration.

• Strong and relevant research skills, evidenced through publications, presentations and other

research activities

• Demonstrated capacity related to course design, pedagogical research and/or curriculum

development

• Strong technical oral and written communication skills, including grant and other proposal

writing experience

• Ability to work on complex and dynamic projects both collaboratively and independently

• Experience teaching University-level courses will be considered an asset

Due to the tight timeline for this role, preference will be given to candidates who are already located

in Ontario and legally authorized to work in Canada at the time of application.

Renumeration: Salary + benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.

Start Date: May 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Schedule: 35 hours/week

Location: Hybrid (approximately 50% time at McMaster campus in Hamilton, and 50% time virtual)

Term: contract will end in March 2026.

How to apply: Applicants should send their CV and cover letter to Dr. Alpha Abebe via email:

abebea@mcmaster.ca. Please also cc: abld@mcmaster.ca in your application email.

Short-listed candidates may be asked to send additional application materials (e.g. writing samples,

course outlines, etc.).

Deadline: Applications should be submitted no later than April 15th, 2025. Only candidates shortlisted

for interviews will be contacted.