Post Doctoral Scholar in Mulitsensory Storytelling

The Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Multisensory Storytelling

Supervisor: Dr. Kathy Sitter (kcsitter@ucalgary.ca), Professor, Canada Research Chair, Director of The Multisensory Research Studio (www.multisensorystudio.ca), Faculty of Social Work.

Area: Multisensory storytelling, sensory ethnography, creative knowledge translation, disabilities, neurodiversity, and dementia.

Duration: 12 months, possibility of extension depending on funding

Start Date: June 15, 2026

Annual Stipend: $60,000/year plus extended health care benefits (dependant on funding)

Location: Calgary-based; virtual position to be considered for the right candidate

Job Description:

A full-time Postdoctoral Scholar (PDS) opportunity is available at the University of Calgary, Canada, to begin on or about June 15, 2026 under the supervision of Dr Kathy Sitter. This PDS will contribute to a variety of projects aimed at sensory ethnography, multisensory storytelling, and knowledge translation projects.

There are multiple research avenues for PDS involvement, with potential opportunities in:

• Supporting the development and implementation of a large national study mapping disability histories across Canada using sensory ethnography, participatory methods and creative knowledge translation practices
• Developing multisensory storytelling as a creative methodology
• Exploring the strengths of legacy storytelling in dementia care
• Collaborating with partner organizations related to disability and AI technologies.

The PDS will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with researchers from various disciplines (e.g., medicine, nursing, urban studies, engineering), as well as community organizations and institutions across the country. They will have access to ongoing data collection and will be encouraged to expand their own research in these areas through the development of complementary research projects. The PDS will be supported in the supervision of junior students, manuscript creation, sharing of research findings (e.g., conferences, community presentations), scholarship and grant applications, and career guidance.

Qualifications:

Requirements include:

• PhD in a relevant social science or educational discipline (e.g., nursing, health psychology, education, sociology, anthropology, education or equivalent);
• Note: Applicants must have completed their degree within the last 7 years
• Expertise in social research related to two or more of the following areas: disabilities, neurodiversity, dementia, knowledge translation, installations, sensory studies
• A strong background in knowledge mobilization, curating, storytelling methods, familiarity with quantitative and mixed methods data is an asset
• A strong background managing or co-leading small teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated productivity for peer-reviewed publications
• Interest in working collaboratively with national and local research partners, as well as supervision and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students

Application Details:

While applications are welcomed from all qualified individuals, preference will be given to Canadian candidates. Preliminary inquiries by e-mail are welcome. To apply, individuals should submit:

• A curriculum vitae
• A letter of interest describing how your research experience, qualifications, research interests and career goals fit with this position
• The names of 2-3 individuals who would be willing to provide a reference upon request
• Sample of up to three related peer-reviewed publications

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF to Dr. Kathy Sitter (kcsitter@ucalgary.ca). Review of applications will begin mid-March and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants are thanked in advance for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders’ in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii’ taa’poh’to’p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university’s commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.