Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science (Canada Impact+ Emerging Leader)

Description

The University of Calgary invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, in the area of intelligence and national security, with a particular focus on open-source intelligence. The start date for the appointment is on or before July 1, 2027. This position is linked to the University's successful Canada Impact+ Research Chair initiative, particularly the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Intelligence and Security in Changing Global Order, residing in the Centre of Military, Security and Strategic Studies (CMSS) at the University of Calgary, a global hub of research excellence on national security issues.

The successful candidate for the Emerging Leader will conduct innovative, high-impact research, secure external funding, build partnerships, contribute to teaching and curriculum development, and advance knowledge mobilization, innovation, commercialization, policy, and broader societal impact. Candidates should demonstrate research excellence, foster collaborative approaches, and a commitment to fostering inclusive research and learning environments.

We seek an outstanding early career researcher with a PhD or equivalent in Political Science or related discipline, as required by the University of Calgary, and who specializes in intelligence and international security studies who will establish an independent research program aligned with the strategic priority area, and conduct transdisciplinary research in collaboration with, but not limited to, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Intelligence and Security in Changing Global Order. Proven success in research and teaching in intelligence studies is essential. The successful candidate will have a track record of policy-relevant research and engagement with political and policy stakeholders in both the private and public sectors involved with intelligence and security policy. Candidates with specific experience and expertise in the areas of international intelligence cooperation, open-source intelligence analysis with specific reference to large qualitative data sets, and public attitudes toward security and intelligence, are particularly encouraged to apply. Expertise within arctic security would be an asset, though not required for success.

Research Area
Intelligence and security studies are an increasingly important component of contemporary strategic studies. The field examines how governments and other organizations collect, assess, interpret, and use information to understand threats, manage uncertainty, and inform strategic and operational decision-making. While traditionally associated with classified intelligence and state intelligence agencies, the rapid growth of publicly available information, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) has fundamentally expanded the field. Governments, private organizations, researchers, and non-state actors can now collect and analyse vast quantities of information to identify emerging threats, understand adversary behaviour, and generate timely assessments of the security environment. The Emerging Leader in intelligence and national security position will strengthen CMSS expertise in intelligence and security studies while complementing the Centre's existing and developing research strengths in diverse facets of security studies such as the arctic region, energy, conventional versus asymmetrical warfare, state versus non-governmental participants, and human security. Particular emphasis would be placed on open-source intelligence, emerging intelligence technologies, information analysis, and the application of these capabilities to contemporary security challenges. This position will support research examining how governments and other actors can exploit publicly available information to improve situational awareness, identify emerging threats, and understand activities that may otherwise remain difficult to observe.

Working alongside senior scholars in intelligence studies, including the Centre's developing expertise in intelligence and security, the position would help translate these capabilities into sustained research, graduate training, collaborative projects, and policy engagement. The successful candidate would therefore contribute not only to the study of intelligence and security but also to CMSS's broader objective of developing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to understanding emerging strategic challenges facing Canada and its allies.

The Emerging Leader will work in collaboration with the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Intelligence and Security in a Changing Global Order. The Chair will explore the role of intelligence and its role in Canada's national security policy in the new geo-political order that is emerging out of the post-Cold War `rules-based order'. The Chair will conduct world-leading transdisciplinary research into Canada's intelligence and security policy. It will also build strong relationships with Canada's foreign and defence policy communities to ensure program research reaches political and policy stakeholders. Finally, it will develop research capacity and wider expertise in intelligence and security issues through the creation of national and international networks of expertise around a multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Calgary.

The Emerging Leader will be able to provide pivotal contributions to the core aims of the research program as well as to the specific workstreams related to an Open-Source Arctic Security Observation Unit and Public Attitudes and Expectations toward Security and Intelligence in Canada. The Emerging Leader will have a growing reputation in the multidisciplinary field of intelligence studies. A strong portfolio of first-rate published work on contemporary security and intelligence issues would be an asset. Expertise on issues related to international intelligence cooperation, on the acquisition and exploitation of open-source intelligence and on new challenges facing policy-makers in the wider security environment would be particularly valuable. Experience engaging with high-level political and policy organizations and providing evidence to parliamentary bodies would be complementary. If the candidate had experience in communicating their research to the media and wider public, that would be an enormous benefit. These skills and experience would not only complement the skills and experience of the Chair but also add new areas of strength to the research program as a whole.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Contribute to the research and societal impact objectives of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Intelligence and Security in a Changing Global Order.
• Develop a research program designed to maximize policy engagement and societal impact in the wider field of contemporary intelligence and security studies.
• Develop and sustain an independent, externally funded research programme leading to peer-reviewed publication of national and international standing;
• Teach effectively at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses in the candidate's area of specialisation, across a variety of formats, settings and modalities.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students at the MA and PhD levels.
• Contribute to the collegial governance of the Department, the Faculty of Arts, the University, and to the wider scholarly and public community.

Eligibility
In accordance with the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program requirements :

• Candidates must be internationally based at the time of recruitment (both working and residing outside Canada).
• Successful candidates will have up until July 1, 2027 to start in the role.

Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are welcome to apply.

An Early Career Researcher is a researcher within five years from the date of their first research-related appointment, minus eligible delays in research, where:

• research-related appointments are defined as those where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently; and
• all eligible leaves (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) are credited as twice the amount of time taken, and professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not credited.
• More information at canada.ca

To Apply
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online via the University of Calgary Careers site using the `Apply Now' link. Complete applications should include:

• Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including the name and contact information of three referees.
• Statement of research interests, accomplishments and vision (maximum 2 page)
• A teaching statement, including an articulation of the candidate's teaching philosophy, approach to course design at the undergraduate and graduate level, and approach to research supervision (up to 2 pages).
• Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (maximum 1 pages)

Application Deadline: October 30, 2026

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Dr. Robert Huebert, [email protected] .

The University of Calgary's comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members. To learn about our comprehensive benefits package, please visit: https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/benefits-pension/perks/benefits-ucalgary .

The terms and conditions of this appointment, including salary, are governed by the collective agreement between the Faculty Association of the University of Calgary and the Governors of the University of Calgary. Detailed information is available here .