Postdoctoral Researcher/Funded Research Fellow
Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research (CIECR)
Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates a full-time, one-year Postdoctoral or Research Fellow position at the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research (Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto).
Our digital repository includes three decades of reconciled data collected by the Canadian Revenue Agency from nearly 85,000 charities. This collection has been linked to University of Toronto’s expansive and enriched Canadian census and economic databases, along with other datasets provided by denominations and independent researchers. The Institute will not only share this vast reservoir of data with academics and church leaders, but it will provide access to analytical tools, including AI supported processing and dynamic visualization, that will augment traditional church research and foster informed decision-making in church leadership. This position will help develop and support a new initiative, the Canadian Congregational Survey (CCS), which will be an annual key-leader and congregational member survey.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will:
- Expand their expertise in key aspects of charitable/church work in Canada and mixed-method empirical research.
- Collect and assess meaningful quantitative and qualitative data related to the project.
- Draw from project-pertinent facets of CIECR’s data repository.
- Enhance and showcase their digital, networking, and dissemination skills.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and collaborative working practices.
- Author/co-author research outputs for peer-reviewed and public-facing publications.
Duties:
- Work with Dr Sam Reimer (project-lead) on developing and administering the CCS
- Produce regular, in-house, and public-facing updates about their research journey and discoveries.
- Support data collection through survey instruments.
- Assist in producing written and oral reports, in versions suitable for academic publication, church leaders, and congregants; includes a final publication of the study upon completion.
- Occasionally engage in meetings and shared activities with Wycliffe College faculty, staff, and students.
Qualifications/Skills required:
Essential Requirements:
- Doctoral level degree (or successfully defended before January 2026).
- Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research.
- Significant knowledge of/experience working with church or parachurch ministries.
- Strong interpersonal capacity, collaborative working ethos, and the ability to develop new skills as needed.
- Passion for the well-being of the Canadian church and its mission.
Desirable Requirements:
- Communication and marketing experience, especially digital skills.
- Strong academic writing skills.
- Ability to communicate successfully with trained and untrained audiences.
- Theological or ecumenical fluency.
- Close enough proximity to Wycliffe to meet semiregularly (in-person) with the team.
Salary: $50,000 per annum plus benefits, pro-rated for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
Contract dates: Position to commence between Sept 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027.
To Apply: Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees.
Additional inquiries concerning the post may be made to stephen.hewko@wycliffe.utoronto.ca
Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday August 14, 2026.
Interviews are planned to be held the week of August 17, 2026.
We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.
About Wycliffe College
Founded in 1877, Wycliffe College is a graduate school of Theology within the Toronto School of Theology (TST) and affiliated with the University of Toronto, one of the world’s leading research universities. Wycliffe offers conjointly awarded graduate degrees through the University of Toronto and serves students preparing for ministry, academic scholarship, and leadership in the church and society.
The College is rooted in the evangelical and Anglican tradition and committed to the study of Scripture as foundational for Christian faith and practice. Its ethos values intellectual rigour, spiritual vitality, and service to the wider church.
Wycliffe College is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. For further information about Wycliffe College (https://www.wycliffecollege.ca).
