The Department of Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University invites applications for one (1) 9-month limited term appointment (LTA) to begin August 17, 2026. Candidates will be expected to teach some combination of the following courses: Research Methods (Psychology 291), Cognitive Psychology I and II (Psychology 221/222), or Sensation and Perception (Psychology 298). An ability to teach a course in the history of psychology would be considered an asset. Availability to teach courses in-person is required. **This position is subject to final budgetary approval.
About the StFX Psychology Department
The Psychology Department at StFX, the largest Department in the Faculty of Arts, attracts students from across the University. We offer degrees within the Faculty of Arts (BA, BA Honours) and the Faculty of Science (BSc, BSc Honours). The Department also offers a well-subscribed Applied Forensic Psychology program. As a department, we are collectively working towards improving our understanding of thoughts, feelings, and actions. We aim to share the knowledge gained through our research, teaching, and service to move the discipline of Psychology forward. Our vision is to help students to appreciate the complexity of human nature and to apply what they have learned to leave the world better than they found it and to apply their knowledge and skills to address critical crises and global and/or rural challenges (e.g., aging, housing, domestic violence, substance use, income and wealth inequality, climate change, etc.). To this end, the Psychology Department is led by a team of professors and lab instructors who have expertise within streams of Developmental, Social, Clinical & Health, Cognition & Perception, Neuroscience, and Forensics. Existing Departmental research infrastructure includes an 8x8 functional near infrared spectroscopy system (NIRx), a 32-channel electroencephalography system (BrainVision), multiple eye tracking systems (Pupil Labs Neon, EyeLink II & 1000), and VR suites (HTC Vive, Oculus) Facilities for small animal (rats primarily but potentially mice too) testing, include accredited animal care facility, operant chambers for food/drug self-administration, animal tracking software, and shared surgical suite with stereotaxic and microinjection equipment suitable for rats or mice. The Psychology Department will be moving to the new Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health upon completion of construction (estimated 2027).
Our department values offering enriching educational experiences to students, such as hands-on learning, research opportunities, Service Learning, and/or Work-Integrated Learning. Our department hosts the Antigonish Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition for high school students, which is the regional competition that feeds into the CIHR Canadian National Brain Bee. As a rural institution, we also look for ways to serve our community through advancing research priorities relevant to the rural context.
Candidate Qualifications
Ideally, candidates for this position will have (or be nearing completion of) a PhD in Psychology.
Teaching Expectations
Limited-term faculty are assigned to teach a total of 18-credits, which equates to three courses per term. As noted above, successful candidates for this limited-term appointment will be expected to teach courses within the areas of Research Methods, Cognition, and/or Sensation and Perception. Previous teaching experience and demonstrated ability in fostering a climate of inclusion in the classroom is an asset.
Consideration of applications is expected to commence April 13, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should compile their application into a single PDF document The PDF application package should include the following information:
**Please send your application package to:
Dr. Erin Austen, Search Committee Chair
Department of Psychology, LTA position, StFX University
c/o Breagh MacDonald, Administrative Assistant for Psychology
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Arts
St. Francis Xavier University
email: psychology@stfx.ca
St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
We are committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact People & Culture at hr@stfx.ca or 902-867-5038.
In alignment with our institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, we strongly encourage applications from scholars who self-identify as Black (especially African Nova Scotians), Indigenous (especially Mi’kmaq), and/or People of Colour. Qualified candidates will be provided the opportunity to self-identify through a process with People & Culture. The successful candidate may be required to provide additional self-identification information prior to hiring. Self-identification is voluntary and will be used to support recruitment practices aimed at addressing historic and ongoing underrepresentation. All qualified candidates will receive full consideration, and evaluation will be based on both academic excellence and demonstrated contributions to equity and inclusion in teaching, research, mentoring, and/or service. Please note that while all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
About St. Francis Xavier University
Established in 1853, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is consistently recognized as one of the best universities in Canada. StFX exceeds the needs of today’s undergraduates through providing the very best academic experience -- outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research opportunities, and global exchanges -- all within Canada’s most vibrant and inspiring residential campus. Here, the focus is on the academic and the personal development of every student, making community and social engagement a large part of the learning experience. Our students are academically strong and highly engaged in every aspect of life, determined to make a positive impact on the world. In 2022, Maclean's annual university rankings put StFX #1 in student satisfaction and #2 in reputation across Canada in the primarily undergraduate category. For more, visit www.stfx.ca
About Antigonish, Nova Scotia
The beautiful and historic town of Antigonish is located within the northeastern corner of Nova Scotia. Only a 15-minute drive from the ocean and a two-hour drive to major urban centres, Antigonish is a family-friendly community with a diverse and growing population and provides access to excellent education at all levels. The town is surrounded by rolling countryside and beautiful beaches and is a hotspot for outdoor recreation, sports and other active lifestyle activities. Antigonish supports a vibrant culture in the arts with music, performing arts, visual arts and crafts, and fabulous festivals happening throughout the year. For more information visit www.townofantigonish.ca or www.visitantigonish.ca
