Maria T. Schneider Social Innovation Institute, Triffo School of Business in Edmonton

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement.

We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities. Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 20,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science.

The Triffo School of Business is seeking applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Maria T. Schneider Social Innovation Institute. The position will commence January 1, 2027, or as close to that date as mutually agreed, subject to final budgetary approval. This position will support and build on MacEwan University's Teaching Greatness: Strategic Vision 2030.

The CRC will build on the Triffo School of Business' strengths in community-driven social innovation, transforming ideas into action and community impact. The successful applicant will receive a full-time, probationary tenure-track position (at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor) and may be rooted in any of the four Departments in the Triffo School of Business.

The successful applicant will also serve as the Director of MacEwan's Maria T. Schneider Social Innovation Institute. Upon starting the academic appointment, the successful applicant will work with the University to apply for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. In addition to establishing a research program, the workload includes teaching and curriculum development, as well as contributions to university service. The successful applicant will have a reduced teaching load during the CRC appointment.

The Schneider Institute will be housed in MacEwan's new academic building, scheduled to open in Winter 2027. The Schneider Institute supports the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem from idea generation to commercialization and the implementation and scaling of ideas into a business enterprise. The Schneider Institute is an important hub for students, faculty members, and community partners to collaborate on social innovation and scale ideas into social enterprises.

As part of its leadership in innovative teaching and research, the Schneider Institute serves as a space to facilitate ideation and convenes events to develop tools and approaches to support innovation. Among the Institute's interests are community-driven innovation and scaling up innovative ideas to drive entrepreneurial growth among disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

As Director, your responsibilities will include leading the Schneider Institute in meeting and growing its mandate, managing students and research personnel, and fundraising and managing a budget to support its activities. Candidates with experience or interest in researching Indigenous business will have many opportunities at MacEwan University. Edmonton has the second-largest urban Indigenous population in Canada, and MacEwan University has many Indigenous business partners and opportunities to connect with Indigenous communities and businesses.

As a successful applicant, you will have:

• A PhD in business, management, or a related field;
• Evidence of outstanding teaching ability, and a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching;
• An active program of original and innovative academic research in innovation, entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and/or Indigenous business, or a related field, and evidence of a research program and research productivity.

You should submit a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of a Tier-2 CRC, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, including how they align with the CRC focus, and a teaching dossier (including your teaching philosophy and recent teaching evaluations). The cover letter should indicate in which of the Triffo School of Business' four Departments you would seek an appointment.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups.

We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.

Accessibility Statement: We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities.