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Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research

Opportunities — Islamophobia Research Hub at York University

Posted on January 29, 2025

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Published on January 29, 2025

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The Islamophobia Research Hub at York University currently has four opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and research assistants:

The Islamophobia Research Hub is a community-engaged, change-making initiative to combat Islamophobia. Based at the York Centre for Asian Research at York University, the Hub's central role is to produce cutting-edge analyses of Islamophobic praxis and build innovative solutions. The Hub’s activities in research, innovation and narrative change drive towards dismantling Islamophobic systems and ideologies. 

Learn more about the Hub at this link.

Questions about our opportunities welcome at islamophobia@yorku.ca.  

Full postings listed below.

Postdoctoral Researcher (Economic Integration)

Project: Economic Integration of Muslims in Canada
Location: York University, Toronto
Hours: Full-time
Term: 10 months (with possibility of renewal)
Start: April 1, 2025
Compensation: $72,000 annual (pro-rated)

The Islamophobia Research Hub at York University is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead a community-engaged research project examining the economic integration of Muslims in Canada. This project will explore the barriers faced by Muslim communities in accessing equitable economic opportunities, including employment discrimination, underemployment, and/or systemic exclusion. The research aims to produce actionable policy recommendations to promote greater economic inclusion for Canadian Muslims.

Key Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Researcher will take the lead on designing and managing the project, including:

  • Developing the research framework and methodology, with a focus on mixed methods approaches.
  • Completing a literature review and analysis.
  • Applying for research ethics approval.
  • Conducting and overseeing data collection, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys with community members, employers, and/or policy experts.
  • Analyzing data to identify patterns of economic exclusion and key barriers to economic integration.
  • Writing and editing research reports and policy briefs for diverse audiences, including academic, community, and government stakeholders.
  • Convening a research table to build and maintain relationships with community organizations and policymakers to ensure the research remains community-informed and relevant.
  • Overseeing the publication and dissemination of findings, including coordination of translation and graphic design as needed.
  • Presenting research findings at conferences, workshops and public events.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • PhD in social sciences, public policy, economics or a related field.
  • Experience in qualitative and quantitative research, particularly in studies focused on racialized or equity-seeking groups.
  • Knowledge of quantitative data analysis tools.
  • Strong writing skills, with a proven track record of authoring academic publications, policy briefs or community reports.
  • Project management experience, including managing major research projects and meeting deadlines.
  • Proven ability to engage with diverse communities, particularly racialized and Muslim communities in Canada.
  • Experience working in collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.
  • Resident of Ontario.

Additional Assets

  • Bilingual (French and English)
  • Knowledge of employment laws and policies in Canada.
  • Familiarity with employment equity, anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-discrimination frameworks.
  • Experience with community-engaged research methodologies.
  • Experience in advocacy work related to economic inclusion or social justice.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • A cover letter detailing their relevant research experience and interest in the project (one page maximum).
  • A CV highlighting academic achievements, publications and relevant research projects.
  • A writing sample.
  • Contact information for three references who can speak to their academic and professional capabilities.

Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2025

Applications should be sent to: islamophobia [at] yorku.ca to the attention of Dr. Nadia Hasan

Posting on the Islamophobia Research Hub website

Postdoctoral Researcher (Humanitarian Aid and Development)

Project: Systemic Biases in Humanitarian Aid and International Development Funding Regimes
Location: York University, Toronto
Hours: Full-time
Start Date: September 8, 2025
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of renewal)
Compensation: $72,000 annual (pro-rated)

The Islamophobia Research Hub at York University invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to lead an innovative research project examining systemic biases in the distribution and governance of humanitarian aid and international development funding. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to academic scholarship while producing actionable insights to address systemic barriers and biases in global funding mechanisms. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the Hub’s leadership and community organizations to conduct original research and develop a dashboard for year-over-year analysis of trends in development funding and aid distribution.

Key Responsibilities

The Post-Doctoral Researcher will be responsible for the following:

Research Design and Execution

  • Develop a research framework to analyze the role of systemic biases in shaping humanitarian aid and development funding policies and practices.
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including policy analysis, interviews with stakeholders, and data collection on development funding and aid distribution.
  • Investigate systemic biases in global funding mechanisms, focusing on the experiences of Muslim-majority countries and Muslim-led organizations.

Data Analysis and Dashboard Development

  • Collect and analyze year-over-year funding data, identifying trends, disparities, and patterns of exclusion.
  • Collaborate with technical experts to design and develop a dashboard for visualizing trends in humanitarian aid and development funding.
  • Ensure the dashboard is accessible and user-friendly for researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups.

Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination

  • Author academic publications, policy briefs and community reports based on research findings.
  • Present findings at conferences, workshops and public events.
  • Engage with community organizations, advocacy groups and policymakers to ensure the research is community-informed and actionable.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • PhD in a relevant field (e.g., sociology, political science, public policy, international development, or related disciplines).
  • Expertise in researching global humanitarian and development policies, laws, mechanisms and practices.
  • Experience in data analysis, with the ability to interpret large datasets and identify trends.
  • Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) or willingness to learn.
  • Strong writing and communication skills, with a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Experience working with diverse communities, particularly Muslim communities, and a strong understanding of Islamophobia and systemic racism.

Additional Assets

  • Experience in dashboard development or user-centered design.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into policy recommendations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  1. A cover letter detailing their research background, relevant expertise, and interest in the position.
  2. A CV highlighting academic achievements, publications, and technical skills.
  3. A sample publication or writing sample that demonstrates their research capabilities.
  4. Contact information for three references who can speak to their qualifications and research experience.

Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2025

Applications should be sent to: islamophobia [at] yorku.ca to the attention of Dr. Nadia Hasan

Posting on the Islamophobia Research Hub website 

Research Assistant (Documentation Project)

Project: Documenting Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism in Canada
Location: Remote with potential for in-person meetings at York University, Toronto
Hours: 10 hours per week
Term: 3 months (with possibility of extension)
Anticipated start date: February 12, 2025
Compensation: $30/hour

The Islamophobia Research Hub at York University is seeking a part-time Research Assistant to support an important research project aimed at documenting and analyzing evolving forms of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism across Canada. This project involves collaborative engagement with community organizations, qualitative research, and the development of a comprehensive report to be shared with public audiences and policymakers.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Hub’s leadership team to support the following tasks:

  • Organize interviews, meetings and consultations with key stakeholders, including community organizations and advocacy groups.
  • Assist with the external review process by coordinating feedback from peer reviewers and community partners.
  • Collaborate on writing, data analysis and report preparation, ensuring the findings are clear, accessible, and actionable.
  • Coordinate the translation, graphic design and layout of the final publication to ensure it is professional and accessible to diverse audiences.
  • Assist with the public launch of the final report, including event planning and outreach to community groups, media, and policymakers.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • Graduate degree (or equivalent experience) in social sciences or a related field (e.g., sociology, political science, human rights, education, law).
  • Experience conducting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups and/or community consultations.
  • Strong writing and communication skills, with an ability to write for both academic and public audiences.
  • Proven project management skills, with a track record of organizing large projects and meeting deadlines.
  • Experience working collaboratively in team research environments.
  • Experience working with Muslim communities in Canada, with a strong understanding of the social and political contexts impacting these communities.

Additional Assets

  • Knowledge of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism in Canada.
  • Familiarity with multilingual communication and translation processes.
  • Experience in event planning and public outreach.
  • Familiarity with graphic design tools or the ability to coordinate with designers.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  1. A cover letter outlining their relevant experience and interest in the project (one page maximum).
  2. A CV or resume detailing their academic background, research experience, and relevant skills.
  3. Contact information for two references (name, affiliation and email addresses)who can speak to their research and project management skills.

Deadline to Apply: February 6, 2025

Applications should be sent to: islamophobia [at] yorku.ca to the attention of Dr. Nadia Hasan

Posting on the Islamophobia Research Hub website

Research Assistant (Muslim Youth and Storytelling)

Project: Voices of Anger and Hope: Virtual and Ethnographic Narrative Strategies of Anger and Hope Adopted by Muslim Youth in Canada, Europe and the Maghreb
Location: York University, Toronto (Hybrid or Remote Work Possible)
Hours: 8–16 hours per week
Term: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Compensation: $30/hour
Start date: March 3, 2025

The Islamophobia Research Hub at York University is seeking a Research Assistant to support a SSHRC-funded Partnership project led by Dr. Abdelwahed Mekki-Barrada (Université Laval) exploring how Muslim youth live and express emotional distress (and/or emotional wellbeing) in Canada and if and how they use storytelling and artistic expression to navigate identity, belonging and resistance to Islamophobia. Reporting to Dr. Nadia Hasan at York University, the RA will have the opportunity to contribute to a community-engaged project that aims to centre the voices of Muslim youth by documenting their experiences and creative practices through interviews and artistic collaborations.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about community-engaged research, youth empowerment and the arts as tools for social change.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will work closely with the project lead at York University to support various stages of the research process, including:

  • Coordinating interviews and focus groups with Muslim youth participants, including outreach and scheduling, ensuring ethical and culturally sensitive practices.
  • Transcribing interviews and focus group recordings with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Coding and analyzing qualitative data to identify key themes and insights.
  • Collaborating on writing research reports, articles, and creative outputs based on the findings.
  • Maintaining organized research files and ensuring data is securely stored.
  • Supporting community engagement activities, including workshops or exhibitions that showcase the participants’ stories and creative works.
  • Research travel within and outside Canada as required.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., sociology, anthropology, education, cultural studies, media studies, or social work).
  • Bilingual (French/English).
  • Familiarity with qualitative research methods, particularly interviews, focus groups, and participatory observation.
  • Strong notetaking, transcription and data analysis skills.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Familiarity with storytelling, creative expression, and youth culture, particularly within Muslim communities in Canada.
  • Experience working with diverse communities, particularly Muslim youth.
  • Knowledge of anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia frameworks is an asset.

Additional Assets

  • Experience in arts-based research methods or working with youth-led artistic initiatives.
  • Familiarity with qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti).
  • Experience in event coordination or community outreach.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  1. A cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in the project (1 page maximum)
  2. A CV or resume highlighting their academic background, research experience, and relevant skills
  3. Contact information for two references who can speak to their research and community engagement experience

Deadline to Apply: February 14, 2025

Applications should be sent to: islamophobia [at] yorku.ca to the attention of Dr. Nadia Z. Hasan.

Posting on the Islamophobia Research Hub website 

Themes

Global Health & Humanitarianism

Status

Concluded

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