The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University is accepting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship for a project entitled ‘People, Places, Policies & Prospects: Affordable Rental Housing for Those in Greatest Need’ (‘P4’). The anticipated start date will be April 15th, 2023 or May 1st, 2023, with a duration of 12 months. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for the successful implementation of the Ottawa regional research of this national, multi-sectoral, and interdisciplinary project, with the support and supervision of the interim Principal Investigator, Dr. Blair Rutherford (until December 31, 2023). Beginning January 1, 2024, the Academic Lead, Dr. Jacqueline Kennelly will become the supervisor for this position.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University (located in Ottawa, Canada) is one of the oldest and most highly regarded departments within its disciplines in Canada. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs in Sociology and Anthropology, our department is a lively hub of academic research, training, and learning. Learn more at https://carleton.ca/socanth.
Research Project Overview
The P4 project is funded by CMHC and SSHRC, and forms one node of the national Collaborative Housing Research Network established by CMHC (https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-research/collaborative-housing-research-network). The national P4 project is led by Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid at Cape Breton University, with regional sites in Cape Breton, Ottawa, and Saskatoon (https://rentalhousingresearch.ca). The Ottawa regional research focus is on the experiences of young people who have left homelessness and are now living in different forms of affordable rental housing. The specific research objectives of the project, both nationally and regionally, are as follows:
- To understand the scale and scope of affordable rental housing provision across Canada, including which kinds of approaches are used, where, and for whom.
- To examine the outcomes and experiences of tenants living in affordable rental housing as they relate to financial security, housing satisfaction, housing stability, health and well-being, and neighbourhood opportunities (such as social connections and opportunities for employment).
- To establish how outcomes and experiences may differ based on the affordable rental housing approach provided, including public housing, market rentals subsidized through housing allowances and supplements, and subsidized, non-profit and co-operative housing.
- To examine, using a gender lens, the potential differential experiences and effects of rental housing on women and their families.
- To understand how neighbourhood conditions (such as high levels of poverty, or lack of transit or nearby amenities) and policy environments (such as service and legal systems) affect tenant experiences and outcomes.
Working alongside the interim PI, the Academic Research Lead, and with community partners in Ottawa, the post-doctoral fellow, with the support of a Graduate Research Assistant, will be responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting a team of 3 Lived Experience Co-Researchers; recruiting 80-100 research participants across a range of affordable housing options in Ottawa for interviews; working with Co-Researchers to conduct interviews and undertake initial data analysis; liaising with regional, national and international team members; and participating in the development of knowledge products from the research (e.g. conference presentations, academic papers, presentations for stakeholders).
Interim Principal Investigator
Dr. Blair Rutherford
Full Professor, Dept of Sociology and Anthropology
Academic Lead
Dr. Jacqueline Kennelly
Full Professor, Dept of Sociology and Anthropology
Director, Centre for Urban Youth Research
Salary
The postdoctoral fellow will be offered a salary of $65,000 per annum, with the additional ability to opt into an extended health and dental benefit plan. The postdoc will be considered unionized and will be a member of PSAC Local 77000. Information on this bargaining unit can be found here: https://psac77000.ca/. Professional development funds can be accessed through the postdoc union for conference travel and other forms of academic professional development.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent of this position will, under the direction of Dr. Blair Rutherford and Dr. Jacqueline Kennelly, be responsible for leading the research activities of the project, including but not limited to the following core responsibilities:
- Supervising the work of the Graduate Research Assistant (GRA);
- Providing GRA with appropriate research training, as needed;
- Co-writing the Research Ethics Board protocol with the PI and Academic Lead;
- Hiring and providing appropriate training and support for Lived Experience Co-Researchers;
- Coordinating with the GRA and Co-Researchers to run the interviews and organize transcription;
- Undertaking data analysis, in collaboration with PI, Academic Lead, GRA, and Co-Researchers, as appropriate;
- Reporting regularly on progress to the PI, Academic Lead, and project partners (community and academic);
- Collaborating, as needed, with the Academic Lead and other project partners, on the development of outputs such as conference presentations, journal articles, public presentations, etc.
- Undertaking the financial administration of the project, under the direction of the PI.
Job Requirements
The chosen candidate will have completed their PhD in Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, or other cognate fields by the time the postdoctoral fellowship begins. Expertise in community-engaged and participatory research, housing studies, and/or youth studies an asset. Familiarity with advanced social theory also of benefit. Ability to work collaboratively in a time-limited academic project, and to produce high quality academic and policy outputs a necessity. More specifically, the successful candidate will have demonstrated skills and experience in most or all of the following:
- Project co-ordination and time management;
- Communication across a diverse range of actors through a mix of different mediums;
- Qualitative data collection methods and data analysis;
- Ability to be self-directed and meet specified deadlines;
- Experience in either or both of academic and public outputs;
Scholars with lived experience of homelessness particularly encouraged to apply. Bilingualism in French and English, and/or knowledge of any Indigenous languages also an asset.
Accommodations and Accessibility
Should you require a copy of this posting in an alternate format, please contact us as soon as possible and we would be happy to get one to you in a timely manner. We believe in the importance of supporting on the-job success for the incumbent and are pleased to discuss and/or provide specific tools, resources or other requirements for day-to-day work requirements, as needed.
About Carleton University:
Carleton University is a dynamic and innovative research and teaching institution with a
national and international reputation as a leader in collaborative teaching and learning, research
and governance. To learn more about our university and the City of Ottawa, please visit
www.carleton.ca/provost.
Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of
excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute
to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to: women; visible
minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of
any sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Carleton understands that career
paths vary. Legitimate career interruptions will in no way prejudice the assessment process and
their impact will be taken into careful consideration.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted for an interview, please inform us should accommodation be required,
and arrangements will be made in a timely manner. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Candidates that would like to apply for this fellowship opportunity are invited to submit their cover letter along with a resume/CV to Dr. Jacqueline Kennelly at jacquelinekennelly@cunet.carleton.ca by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, February 24, 2023.