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[ursula]

Some Canadian universities do use the title lecturer in various ways.  It can be the equivalent of Instructor, that is, part-time stipendiary teacher.  At our shop, it is given to a full time person who does not yet have a PhD.  If a person is hired TT as an ABD, s/he will be hired as a Lecturer and then promoted to Assistant Professor upon completion of the PhD.

The tenure clock for TT people is the same whether they come in as Lecturer or Assistant Prof., but failure to complete the degree is pretty much the kiss-o'-death as far as tenure is concerned.

[llanfair]

At BigUni, I'm a Stipend Lecturer - I sign one-term contracts whenever they want me, and my title is "Lecturer", as Ursula says.

At MySLAC, I'm an Assistant Professor (Part Time).  Such is the difference between unis with part-time union membership and those without.

[mayjohn]

At BigUni, I'm a Stipend Lecturer - I sign one-term contracts whenever they want me, and my title is "Lecturer", as Ursula says.

At MySLAC, I'm an Assistant Professor (Part Time).  Such is the difference between unis with part-time union membership and those without.

Candidates should have a post-graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in Computer Science or a related field, and must demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. Appointments at the rank of Lecturer may be renewed annually to a maximum of five years. In the fifth year of service, Lecturers shall be reviewed and a recommendation made with respect to promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. from University of Toronto (https://utoronto.taleo.net/careersection/10050/jobdetail.ftl

Would anyone with experience from/of Canadian institutions please enlighten me (ignorant Yankee)  as to how this job posting relates to US ranks, tracks etc?

Thank you!

[ursula]

Well, a couple of us (me and llanfair) with experience of Canadian institutions have already told you what we know about the title lecturer in the Canadian system.  The example you cite seems to be a UofT specific thing.  You should check with their faculty union (UTFA) or their part-time union (CUPE 3903 or 3902, I forget which).

[llanfair]

Well, a couple of us (me and llanfair) with experience of Canadian institutions have already told you what we know about the title lecturer in the Canadian system.  The example you cite seems to be a UofT specific thing.  You should check with their faculty union (UTFA) or their part-time union (CUPE 3903 or 3902, I forget which).

U of T's part-timers are with CUPE??

[ursula]

Well, a couple of us (me and llanfair) with experience of Canadian institutions have already told you what we know about the title lecturer in the Canadian system.  The example you cite seems to be a UofT specific thing.  You should check with their faculty union (UTFA) or their part-time union (CUPE 3903 or 3902, I forget which).

U of T's part-timers are with CUPE??

Yep -- it's fairly common in Ontario.

[llanfair]

Well, a couple of us (me and llanfair) with experience of Canadian institutions have already told you what we know about the title lecturer in the Canadian system.  The example you cite seems to be a UofT specific thing.  You should check with their faculty union (UTFA) or their part-time union (CUPE 3903 or 3902, I forget which).

U of T's part-timers are with CUPE??

Yep -- it's fairly common in Ontario.

Yours, too?

[grasshopper]

Candidates should have a post-graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in Computer Science or a related field, and must demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. Appointments at the rank of Lecturer may be renewed annually to a maximum of five years. In the fifth year of service, Lecturers shall be reviewed and a recommendation made with respect to promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. from University of Toronto (https://utoronto.taleo.net/careersection/10050/jobdetail.ftl

Would anyone with experience from/of Canadian institutions please enlighten me (ignorant Yankee)  as to how this job posting relates to US ranks, tracks etc?

Thank you!

Renewable VAP.

[mayjohn]

Candidates should have a post-graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in Computer Science or a related field, and must demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. Appointments at the rank of Lecturer may be renewed annually to a maximum of five years. In the fifth year of service, Lecturers shall be reviewed and a recommendation made with respect to promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. from University of Toronto (https://utoronto.taleo.net/careersection/10050/jobdetail.ftl

Would anyone with experience from/of Canadian institutions please enlighten me (ignorant Yankee)  as to how this job posting relates to US ranks, tracks etc?

Thank you!

Renewable VAP.

Do you have any evidence about this (I mean this the best possible way -- do you know the specific institution and job type)?

[galway]

At U of T the lecturer positions are teaching, non-tenure track.  Tenure track positions are hired at the Assistant prof level (or equivalent for a senior hire). The titles are more like the US than the UK but full time lecturers are paid better than lecturers in the states (at least at institutions that I'm aware of).  Also you get OHIP which is good!  In my field both UTM and UTSC have graduate programs and faculty on these campuses have labs with grad students (MS and PhD students). 

[janedoh]

I'm an American in Canada, and at our place Lecturers and Senior Lecturers are non-TT, teaching only positions. Just like in the US (and like llanfair, ursula, and obprof mentioned. Just because you might not like their answer doesn't make it incorrect.)

Sounds like a teaching position that is semi-permanent. Good for them because they don't commit long term. Good for the applicant because there is possibility for advancement (i.e. better pay).

[grasshopper]

Renewable VAP.

Do you have any evidence about this (I mean this the best possible way -- do you know the specific institution and job type)?

Just check the HR website at any Canadian university, and it should be spelled out in the collective agreement.

See p. 13:
http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/Assets/new/guide.pdf?method=1

[cranefly]

Well, ya learn something new every day. I've never heard of this, but have been trying to convince our admins that this is the way to go as far as  contract labourers--it's better than being an adjunct, with a little more security and better pay.
 
The VAP idea sounds about right, then. It's definitely not TT or a research position.

[grasshopper]

Well, ya learn something new every day. I've never heard of this, but have been trying to convince our admins that this is the way to go as far as  contract labourers--it's better than being an adjunct, with a little more security and better pay.
 

Different institutions have different names for positions, though (of course). I'm a "lecturer" here, but there's no chance in hell that they'd renew my contract for 5 years, at which point I'd end up with a cushy, fairly permanent teaching position. My "lecturer" title just reflects the fact that I signed a one-year contract without a PhD. If I had had the PhD, I would have been a "Term (or Limited Term, or something like that) Assistant Professor".

[mayjohn]

Renewable VAP.

Do you have any evidence about this (I mean this the best possible way -- do you know the specific institution and job type)?

Just check the HR website at any Canadian university, and it should be spelled out in the collective agreement.

See p. 13:
http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/Assets/new/guide.pdf?method=1

Thank you grasshopper! This is what I was looking for. Finally some facts instead of the "sounds like..." unfounded opinions of our esteemed colleagues on this forum...

Thanks again!