Assistant Professor in Fine Arts Studio (Sculpture)

The Program of Fine Arts in the School of Critical and Creative Humanities, Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo invites applications for a tenure-track position in Studio (Sculpture) at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning July 1, 2027.

We are looking for a candidate who will support, strengthen, and expand our studio program, as well as our sculpture curriculum, while recognizing that sculpture can coexist with other visual media. The ideal candidate will have experience in sculpture with a strong exhibition record, and will bring innovative, experimental, and contemporary practice into their teaching.

Fine Arts currently offers a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Studio Art (https://uwaterloo.ca/fine-arts/undergraduate/programs/studio-practice-academic-plans) and Visual Culture (https://uwaterloo.ca/fine-arts/undergraduate/programs/visual-culture-academic-plans) and an MFA (Masters of Fine Art) in Fine Arts Studio. Many of our undergraduate students combine their degree with Arts and Business (https://uwaterloo.ca/academic-calendar/undergraduate-studies/catalog#/home) or Honours Arts Co-op (https://uwaterloo.ca/arts/undergraduate/co-op).             

We seek individuals who will support and enhance the diversity of our studio program, enrich the learning experiences of our students, and contribute to our vibrant community. The ideal candidate will be an artist with an accomplished record in sculptural practice grounded in experimentation, material inquiry, and contemporary critical art discourses, as well as a demonstrated passion for teaching. The successful candidate will be committed to teaching studio art foundations and hands-on studio instruction by engaging students in both the conceptual and material dimensions of studio-based learning. They will demonstrate expertise in the medium of sculpture, working across traditional and emerging materials, technologies, and presentation styles, as well as the ability to teach a broad range of sculptural processes and fabrication methods (for example mold-making, welding and metal fabrication, digital fabrication, clay-based work, ceramics, soft-material sculpture, and other hybrid sculptural practices). Given the interdisciplinary nature of our curriculum, the ability to collaborate and teach drawing, digital media, image-based practices, or related studio areas is considered an asset. 

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of an active research-creation trajectory with success in teaching at the undergraduate level. Duties will include conducting research and/or research creation, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, supervising graduate students, and contributing to the service needs of our Program, School, Faculty, and University. 

We are looking for candidates with an MFA, PhD or equivalent in Fine Arts Studio Practice or a related discipline.  If the candidate is at the ‘all-but-dissertation’ (ABD) stage or equivalent at time of application, the relevant degree must be awarded by the start date of the appointment. The salary range for this position at the rank of Assistant Professor is $100,000.00 to $125,000.00.

The closing date for applications is December 15, 2026. Application materials must be submitted online as PDF files through the Online Faculty Application System (https://ofas.uwaterloo.ca/). Please include electronic copies of a cover letter (addressed to Jay Dolmage, Director of the School of Critical and Creative Humanities); a curriculum vitae; a one-page research statement; a portfolio of recent artworks and/or other creative outputs documented through up to 20 images or audiovisual media, or a combination of both not to exceed 10 minutes; a one-page teaching statement; a one-page statement describing how you advance equity, diversity and inclusion within the classroom; and contact information for three individuals who will be called upon to provide letters of reference.

The University is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometers on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).

The University of Waterloo values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Candidates from these groups are encouraged to self-identify in their cover letter. 

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Occupational Health occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded, and confidentiality is maintained.

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Adrian Buchanan: adrian.buchanan@uwaterloo.ca 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.