The African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto has announced applications for the inaugural Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies, offering an exceptional opportunity for emerging scholars from around the world to advance innovative research focused on Africa and its diasporas.

The prestigious fellowship, supported by a generous endowment from Richard Rooney and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science, aims to strengthen scholarly engagement in African Studies while promoting interdisciplinary research, public scholarship, social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Successful candidates will receive a competitive salary of CAD $70,000 per year plus benefits and will join one of North America’s leading centres for African Studies.

About the Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship

The fellowship is hosted by the African Studies Centre, an academic unit within New College at the University of Toronto. Established in 1978, the Centre has become one of Canada’s leading hubs for African Studies and is widely recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching, research, and community engagement.

The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship seeks to support outstanding early-career scholars whose work contributes to advancing knowledge and understanding of African societies, cultures, histories, and contemporary issues.

The fellowship welcomes applicants conducting research in:

African Studies broadly defined
Social Sciences
Humanities
Creative Arts
Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields
African diaspora studies
Decolonial and innovative approaches to African scholarship

Research projects that promote epistemic diversity and challenge traditional frameworks of knowledge production are particularly encouraged.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The selected fellow will undertake independent and impactful research while actively contributing to the intellectual life of the African Studies Centre.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing and implementing an original research programme
Contributing to scholarly knowledge production in African Studies
Collaborating with faculty mentors and interdisciplinary researchers
Participating in seminars, conferences, workshops, and public engagement activities
Supporting local, African, and global knowledge dissemination initiatives
Advancing the Centre’s commitments to social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement

The fellowship provides an opportunity to work within a vibrant academic community dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges through innovative and socially engaged scholarship.

Fellowship Benefits

The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship offers several attractive benefits, including:

Annual salary of CAD $70,000
Comprehensive employee benefits package
Access to world-class research resources
Membership in a leading African Studies academic community
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
Engagement with international scholars and researchers
Professional development and networking opportunities

The fellowship is a full-time appointment with an expected workload of 40 hours per week.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications are open to both domestic and international candidates.

To qualify, applicants must:

Have completed or expect to complete a PhD degree between June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2026
Demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential
Be eligible to begin a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Toronto by November 1, 2026
Show alignment with the African Studies Centre’s research priorities

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with:

Experience in public intellectual work
Community engagement experience
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Research addressing contemporary African and diaspora issues

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

Cover letter and statement of research contributions (maximum three pages)
One-page statement describing contributions to the African Studies Centre and the University of Toronto
Detailed curriculum vitae (CV)
Two-page research proposal outlining:
- Research objectives
- Significance and potential impact
- Alignment with academic and professional goals
- Contribution to African Studies
Names and contact information of three academic referees

Applications should be submitted electronically to:

afrc@utoronto.ca

Important Dates

Applicants should take note of the following deadlines:

Application Deadline: July 10, 2026
Expected Start Date: November 1, 2026
Fellowship Duration: 12 months

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the selection process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Toronto continues to strengthen its commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The institution strongly encourages applications from:

Indigenous Peoples
Black and racialized scholars
Women
Persons with disabilities
Individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities

The University recognizes that diverse experiences and perspectives are essential to achieving excellence in research, teaching, and community engagement.

A Unique Opportunity for Emerging African Studies Scholars

The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship represents a significant opportunity for early-career researchers seeking to advance impactful scholarship on Africa and its diasporas. Through generous financial support, access to world-class academic resources, and participation in a collaborative intellectual environment, the fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in African Studies.

Scholars whose research aligns with themes of social justice, decolonization, community engagement, and innovative approaches to African knowledge production are strongly encouraged to apply before the July 10, 2026 deadline.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding