World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026-2027 (With up to $55,000)

WUSC-University of Ottawa Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity – (one year – 2026-27)

POSITION TITLE:  Postdoctoral Fellowship in Access to Higher Education for Displaced Students at Canadian Postsecondary Institutions
PROJECT: UnborderED Knowledge Research Project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council  of Canada (SSRHC)
SUPERVISION: Co-supervised by Co-investigators at WUSC (World University Service of Canada) and the University of Ottawa
AREA: Forced Displacement, Social Sciences, Higher Education, Student Refugee Program

POSITION LOCATION: Canada (remote or hybrid) – Ottawa, Ontario Area Preferred
CONTRACT TERM: 1-year term
SALARY LEVEL: $55,000 per annum plus benefits. Research and/or mobility stipends, as well as funding for knowledge mobilization, may be available in consultation with uOttawa and WUSC.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Have been awarded a PhD, or equivalent, in the last five years (although specific circumstances and valid interruptions to this time frame can be taken into account);
• Have lived experience of forced displacement (the dedicated funding for this project from SSHRC is assigned to postdoctoral fellows with such background);
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of the application and must be resident in Canada for the duration of the employment contract;
• Have complete fluency in both English and French.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
EXPECTED START DATE: August 31, 2026

RESEARCH PROJECT DESCRIPTION
UnborderED Knowledge is an SSHRC-funded research project. This bilingual, interdisciplinary, pan-Canadian partnership aims to widen, deepen and institutionalize access to higher education, research and training opportunities to bridge the gap between the talents of students and researchers with lived experiences of forced migration, and opportunities in Canadian research communities and labour markets.

In the context of the UnborderED Knowledge project, which, among other objectives, aims at further understanding to what extent existing initiatives for displaced students and researchers in Canada institutionalize equitable access and outcomes, this position will take a close look at one of the longest-standing initiatives for refugee students in Canada, the WUSC Student Refugee Program (SRP).

The SRP is soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary (in 2028) and has sponsored nearly 3000 refugee students to begin their studies and resettle in Canada. WUSC has gathered a lot of participants’ data and anecdotal evidence over the years showing the impact of the program on Canadian higher education institutions and communities. However, little is known about its impact on the institutionalization for displaced students to access higher education and benefit from inclusive practices at participating institutions.

Given that the program is implemented in partnership with over 100 post-secondary institutions across Canada from more than four decades and receives different levels of institutional support at every campus, this position offers the opportunity to do a specific study on this unique initiative, which will feed into the overall UnborderED Knowledge project objectives and more specifically, inform and contribute its research goals. This research project will also be part of the broader research agenda of WUSC to assess the impacts of the SRP in a comprehensive manner.

Under the direction of two supervisors from WUSC and the University of Ottawa, this position will identify, through an initial desk review and virtual or in-person interviews, how the SRP contributed to the institutionalization for displaced students to access higher education and benefit from inclusive practices at participating postsecondary institutions in Canada.

The research project will aim at providing insights on the following question:
How has the SRP contributed to deepen and institutionalize access to higher education and inclusive practices for displaced students at Canadian postsecondary institutions?
The project will also examine the following related questions:

• How is the SRP intertwined with broader institutional supports for displaced students?
• What is its relationship with institutional EDI policies?
• How is the SRP contributing (or preventing) to unlocking administrative opportunities for recruitment, retention, and educational success of displaced students?
• How has the SRP impacted student bodies, faculties and its respective members at participating institutions?
• What are some promising practices (and gaps) emerging from the SRP to deepen and institutionalize opportunities?

RESPONSIBILITIES
The postdoctoral fellow will lead the design, implementation and knowledge mobilization of the research. This will include:

• In coordination with WUSC and the University of Ottawa, oversee all aspects of the research process, including refining the key research questions and related research design, obtaining the necessary ethics approval, conducting a literature review, carrying out the data collection and analysis
• Develop and deliver project deliverables (listed below).
• Provide regular updates on research process and findings to, and participate in broader discussions with WUSC and the UnborderED Knowledge Research Project Team.
• In collaboration with WUSC and the University of Ottawa, develop and deliver presentations, reports, and other knowledge-sharing products to communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the collaborative and scholarly environment of the UnborderED Knowledge team.
• This position will require some in-person work in Ottawa, but most work can be completed remotely. Office space is available for those that choose to work full-time/  and/or hybrid in Ottawa.

Deliverables:
The individual will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception report outlining the methodology and tools, research questions, data analysis plan and work plan
• Draft research report outlining the key preliminary findings
  Validation/interpretation workshop with key project stakeholders
• Final research report incorporating feedback from WUSC and the postsecondary institution and addressing any comments or concerns.
• Dissemination plan
• Presentation of the report to the UnborderED consortium and other relevant stakeholders, including a summary of key findings.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate will:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent in a relevant field, such as Social Sciences/Humanities, Geography, Education or another closely related discipline.
• Have expertise in primary research methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys) and research design.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and synthesize research findings, particularly for non-academic audiences (e.g., through the development of tools and/or guidelines).
• Have exceptional writing and oral communication skills in English and French.
• Show excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrate interest and/or experience in qualitative research.
• Have experience with research ethics applications.
• Have experience or a strong interest in conducting research in collaboration with communities (i.e., community-engaged research).
• Be interested in, or experienced in group facilitation (discussions, workshops).
• Be committed to conducting equity-oriented research, particularly for populations experiencing vulnerability, including students and/or marginalized groups.

APPLICATIONS

• Cover letter, including summary of research experience and experience relevant to research topic
• Curriculum vitae (CV), including list of publications

If you are interested in this position, please apply through our website.

Additional Application Instructions 

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form.
WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [email protected].
We may utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to facilitate the initial screening of applications based on criteria outlined in the job description. The ultimate decision to interview and hire is determined by our dedicated hiring team.
Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About WUSC
WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We collaborate with a diverse network of partners, volunteers, students, schools, governments, and businesses who share our vision of a more inclusive, equitable world. Together, we foster youth-centered solutions that enable young people—particularly women and displaced populations—to thrive and belong. WUSC operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and in Canada, delivering a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with multilateral and bilateral donors.

In Canada, WUSC has been implementing the Student Refugee Program (SRP) for nearly 50 years. The SRP combines resettlement with opportunities for higher education in Canada. Globally, the SRP sponsors over 150 refugee students per year through active partnerships with over 100 Canadian university, college, and CEGEP campuses.

About the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa), founded in 1848, is the world’s largest French-English bilingual university. Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, its 105-acre urban campus is within walking distance of Parliament Hill and major national institutions. As a member of the prestigious U15 group of Canadian research-intensive universities, uOttawa is consistently ranked among the top 10 research institutions in the country. It is particularly recognized for its high research intensity. The university serves a diverse community of nearly 50,000 students, including a large number of international students from 150 countries.

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is involved in significant global and local refugee initiatives through a multi-faceted approach, including

Student Support: Partnering with WUSC, the university sponsors students via the Student Refugee Program and maintains the War Refugee Student Scholarship Fund to cover tuition and living costs.
Scholars at Risk: Through the Scholars at Risk (SAR) program, uOttawa has hosted over 11 academics fleeing persecution, offering temporary research placements to protect academic freedom.

Legal Advocacy: The Refugee Hub manages the national Refugee Sponsorship Support Program (SSP), providing pro-bono legal training and matching lawyers with Canadians seeking to sponsor refugees.

Global Education: Collaborative certificates, like the Community Mobilization in Crisis program in Lebanon, provide tuition-free learning for displaced youth without standard documentation.

Research and advocacy through projects like UnborderED Knowledge.