The Public History Lab at The Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy is looking to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow to support Professor Timothy Snyder and the Public History Engagement Project.

Area of Research: Democratic Institutions, Public Engagement, American History

Description of Duties: To conduct research related to democratic institutions and to past and/or current strategies for strengthening those. This work will be part of Professor Timothy Snyder’s Public History Engagement project, which is the umbrella for his democracy-focused research, writing and engagement. The project aims to (i) support the creation of evidence-based research and writing that will protect and sustain democratic institutions in the face of current challenges to those structures; (ii) develop a network of policy-makers, organizations, and other stakeholders to encourage engagement and facilitate meaningful pro-democratic coalition building; and (iii) ensure that this research and writing and these networks are shared strategically and widely.

This postdoctoral fellowship will allow the incumbent to spend half of their time on their own research and half of their time supporting the work of the Public History Engagement project. Their primary responsibilities will include conducting quantitative and qualitative research and writing up findings related to a variety of fields and sectors for use by the project. The ideal candidate will be able to produce high-quality sectoral scans of a wide range of topics and areas and be motivated by conducting research that is responsive to current events and used by high-level policymakers. The incumbent will have demonstrated experience writing for a variety of audiences and sharing findings in accessible, public-facing platforms.

Salary:  $75,000 per year, plus standard benefits

Closing Date: February 23, 2026

Supervisor: Professor Tim Snyder

Expected Start Date: May 1, 2026 (or as soon as possible)

Required Qualifications:  Candidates must have a PhD, preferably in a field that uses both qualitative and quantitative methodologies (for example, but not limited to, history, political science, or sociology). Candidates should have experience sharing academic research with diverse audiences and through different media. Strong writing and editing skills are essential.

This is an in-person position and requires residence in Toronto.

Application Instructions:  All individuals interested in the position must submit the following documents by the closing date to Lee Slinger, Manager, Public History Lab, at lee.slinger@utoronto.ca using the subject line “Postdoc – [Your Name]”:

1.  A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for the position
2. Your academic CV
3. A research sample that showcases your research ability and method skills (e.g., a dissertation chapter, a conference paper, or a published article)
4. The names and contact information for three academic referees (Your referees will only be contacted once you’ve advanced to the interview round)

 Term: 2 years with an opportunity for a one-year extension

FTE: This is a full-time position. The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow, recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and training and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please connect with Lee Slinger, Manager, Public History Lab, at lee.slinger@utoronto.ca.

Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons, persons of colour, women, Indigenous Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.