Researcher – Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative

UNIVERSITY OF ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE

JOB OPPORTUNITY

PROFILE

The University of St. Michael’s College, federated with the University of Toronto, is a Catholic institution of higher learning founded by the Congregation of St. Basil, whose motto, “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge,” sets the tone for campus life. Committed to the pursuit of knowledge, meaning and truth, USMC is a dynamic center where Catholic intellectual thought thrives in a context of academic freedom and rigorous debate. The University of St. Michael’s College boasts a large and dynamic undergraduate division, an acclaimed Faculty of Theology and one of the busiest and most important libraries on the University of Toronto campus.

Position Summary

The University of St. Michael’s College (USMC) has received an Planning Grant from the Lilly Endowment to research and produce a full application for a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative 2025 Individual School Grant.

The aim of the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative “is to help theological schools strengthen and sustain their institutional capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian churches.” USMC has proposed a project that combines the resources of its own Continuing Education Division and the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM) to provide accessible education to lay and ordained Catholic parish leaders, and to better-align its current and future offerings with their real-world needs. USMC intends to engage with those working in Catholic parishes to understand those needs, and will dedicate resources to wed these findings with current research. This research will form the basis of a 12-page proposal (complete with a five-year implementation plan and budget narrative) which, if successful, could award USMC and RSM with $1,000,000 to implement this project.

USMC is therefore hiring a Researcher to investigate the real-world needs of ordained and lay Catholic parish leaders in Canada, and to create a written report with recommendations to address these needs firmly grounded in contemporary scholarship.

While much of the work for this position can be done remotely, the successful candidate will be required to attend certain meetings and events in-person on USMC’s campus.

Based on their performance, the successful applicant may have an opportunity to assist with research for another Pathways for Tomorrow grant (due August 15^th) should USMC and Regis College be invited to participate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aid the Lilly Grant Advisory Committee in planning and facilitating a major in-person event with Catholic pastoral leadership from across the GTA in March/April 2025;
• Design survey questions for ordained and lay parish leaders to ascertain their needs and challenges, clearly grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the current academic literature on Catholic parish ministry in Canada;
• By May 1, 2025, complete a written report synthesizing survey and interview data with scholarly literature, and including concrete recommendations for how USMC and RSM can best address the needs of congregational leaders in Canada and, especially, the GTA;
• Support the hired Grant Writer to complete and submit the Pathways grant proposal (due May 15, 2025).
• Working collaboratively with the Lilly Grant Advisory Committee, meeting (at least) weekly for direction, information, consultation, and edits;
• Working closely and collaboratively with the hired Pathways for Tomorrow Grant Writer to ensure that findings are accurately reflected in the proposal;
• Becoming familiar with the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, the mission of the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, and the missions of both USMC and Regis College;

QUALIFICATIONS

• A graduate-level degree (or ABD status in a doctoral program) in Catholic theology or a related field
• Familiarity with Catholic pastoral theology or research on contemporary Catholic parish ministry a significant asset
• Experience creating and interpreting surveys a significant asset
• Event planning experience an asset
• Excellent writing skills
• Capacity to transform information from discussions and meetings into accurate, compelling text
• Detail, deadline, and outcome oriented
• Ability to understand and execute complex instructions
• Comfort with re-writing and re-drafting documents
• Proficient with Microsoft Office

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

The University of St. Michael’s College is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, people who take a religiously informed view of human experience, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact Human Resources at hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca.