The Structural Islamophobia Research Lab (SIRL) Fellowship

Call for Applications
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The Structural Islamophobia Research Lab Fellowship
Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Application Deadline: December 02, 2024

The Structural Islamophobia Research Lab (SIRL) – at the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS), University of Toronto – supports the best and brightest minds committed to examining institutionally entrenched modes of Islamophobia that defy simplistic analyses and require creative research methods.

This call for applications is for candidates to examine the potential existence of Islamophobia in the immigration regime in Canada. Within this broad scope, we invite inquiry into whether racial and Orientalist notions are coded into laws, policies and institutional practices in various arenas of the immigration regime, and how these notions may shape regime findings and actions, such as inadmissibility, CBSA stops and detentions, and visa programs from Muslim majority countries.

Over the years, and specially under the War on Terror, several aspects of Canadian immigration have come under scrutiny (such as security certificates, unconstitutional detentions, and others); nevertheless, there remains a gap in a holistic analysis of Islamophobia in Canada’s immigration system. This call for applications is designed to reverse this trend. The successful researcher project will ideally be well-versed in critical race and decolonial theoretical approaches, which would inform the analysis undertaken, and relevant social science methodologies to undertake complex research
endeavors.

Eligibility Requirements
• Open to candidates with a completed PhD no earlier than December 2021.
• PhD candidates may apply if they complete their dissertation defence successfully no later than July 1, 2025
• All nationalities may apply
• Preference will be given to those with:
o A proven record of research on immigration laws and policies in Canada
o Experience obtaining and analyzing government data/records incl. using ATIPs
o Knowledge of diverse social science methodological approaches
o A theoretical commitment to critical race and decolonial approaches
o Experience working with Muslim communities and organizational partners

Details on the Fellowship
• Remuneration: $60,000 CAD per year
• Duration: One to three years
• Location: Required to be in residence at the University of Toronto
• Start Date: No earlier than February 3, 2025 and no later than September 1, 2025
• Only one fellowship on this topic is available at this time

Application Process
• Application materials include CV, statement of interest, and a writing sample.
• Please submit all application materials via email to islamicstudies@utoronto.ca
• In the subject heading of the email, please use the following: “SIRL Application”
• The application deadline is December 2, 2024
• Decisions will be announced by January 20, 2025

For any questions, please direct inquiries to islamicstudies@utoronto.ca

More information on: Institute of Islamic Studies