Department: School of Accounting
Position supervisor: Dr. Oliver N. Okafor
Contract length: One Year
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Rate of pay: $50,847.46 Annual Salary
About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
About the program/department/team
Dr. Okafor’s research interests lie primarily in tax compliance, accountability, and EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion). His EDI research is interdisciplinary. He has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Business Ethics (JBE), Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal (AAAJ), European Accounting Review (EAR), Critical Perspectives on Accounting (CPA), Canadian Tax Journal (CTJ), Journal of Accounting and Public Policy (JAPP), Financial Accountability and Management Journal (FAAM), Accounting Forum (AF), Accounting Perspectives (AP), International Journal of Managerial Finance (IJMF), Social and Environmental Accountability Journal (SEAJ), Crime, Law and Social Change (CLSC), Australian Journal of Public Administration (AJPA) and International Migration (IM). He has also presented some of his research work in major conferences including the annual meetings of the American Accounting Association (AAA), Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA), and British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA). Oliver has received several grants and awards including SSHRC grants and TRSM Research Recognition Awards.
The opportunity
This postdoctoral fellowship will support a multi-stream, interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at attracting students - particularly those from equity-seeking groups - to business education, and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in professional practice in Canada. The project addresses systemic issues affecting Canadians, with a focus on Black, Indigenous, racialized, and immigrant communities across two interrelated domains: (1) Educational Access, which investigates how students navigate pathways into business education; and (2) Professional Inclusion, which examines the lived experiences of Black Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in Canadian workplaces. Drawing on critical race theory, organizational sociology, and education policy, the research aims to produce transformative scholarship and actionable tools for institutional change.
Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and co-investigators to support and lead various aspects of the research, including:

• Designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative studies across both research streams;
• Conducting interviews, focus groups, and surveys with students and professionals;
• Performing literature reviews and policy analyses;
• Analyzing data and co-authoring high-impact scholarly publications, policy briefs, and practitioner resources;
• Coordinating research activities and stakeholder engagement;
• Supporting knowledge mobilization efforts through conferences and community-based dissemination.
• Contributing to curriculum development and EDI programming within the Ted Rogers School of Management.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Accounting, a PhD in Management specializing in Accounting, or a PhD in a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in EDI-focused and public policy research.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, including experience with interviews, ethnography, or survey design.
• A record of scholarly publications or strong potential for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary and culturally diverse environments.

Key Qualifications:

• Lived experience or professional engagement with racialized, Black, Indigenous, or immigrant communities;
• Knowledge of Canadian business education and the accounting profession;
• Experience with youth-focused research, community-based participatory research, or policy engagement.

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following documents in a single PDF:

• A cover letter outlining relevant experience, research interests, and alignment with the project’s goals;
• Curriculum vitae;
• A Statement of EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Commitment;
• One representative writing sample (published or unpublished).
• Names and contact information for two academic referees.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
• Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources:
• Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
• External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
• All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Please refer the Job description for details