Department of Psychology Tenure Track Appointment (Neuroscience)

The Department of Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University invites applications for one (1) probationary Tenure-Track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin July 1 2026. We are searching for candidates who are interested in joining our department and have research expertise in the area of Neuroscience. We will prioritize applicants who have a demonstrated ability to teach Psychology 101 (Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science) and 102 (Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science and Profession) and Psychology 231 and 232 (Brain and Behaviour I and II) and who can teach existing 3^rd year neuroscience courses or develop new neuroscience courses that will be of interest to students. **This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

About the StFX Psychology Department

The Psychology Department at StFX is the largest Department in the Faculty of Arts and 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

Applicants should have a completed PhD (though we will also consider ABD candidates or candidates who can present evidence of near completion). Eligible candidates will have demonstrated a successful independent research program in neuroscience.

Teaching Expectations

As noted above successful candidates for the tenure-track position will be expected to teach courses within neuroscience and other courses of need within the Department (e.g. Introductory Psychology courses Psychology 101 & 102; Brain and Behavior courses Psychology 231 and 232). Previous teaching experience and demonstrated ability in fostering a climate of inclusion in the classroom is an asset. Under our current Collective Agreement new tenure-track faculty members receive a reduced teaching load for the first two years (3-credit reduction per year). The standard teaching load for tenure-track faculty is five 3-credit courses per year.

**Application Instructions

Consideration of applications will commence February 17th 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:

• a cover letter highlighting suitability for the Department of Psychology Tenure-Track position in Neuroscience.
• curriculum vitae including:
• 1. publications
  2. published other scholarly work
  3. record of research funding
  4. dissemination activities
  5. awards
  6. mentorship (can include co-supervisions and informal mentorship)
  7. undergraduate and/or graduate teaching experience
  8. teaching professional development
  9. service (e.g. committees outreach) and the applicants roles/contributions
• statement of research (max. 2 pages) that includes evidence of an established or promising program of research and an outline of future research plans (and plan for research funding/support).
• statement of teaching philosophy (max. 2 pages) plus supporting materials including information about teaching interests and evidence of teaching preparedness (e.g. engagement in professional development opportunities focused on teaching; description of past teaching experience; copies of course syllabi for courses taught previously; samples of course materials and teaching strategies).
• candidates are encouraged to include a statement (max. 2 pages) on how they have and/or will advance equity diversity inclusion and accessibility in their scholarship teaching and/or service.
• names addresses (including email) and telephone numbers of three references. Please note that references will be contacted only for those applicants who are being considered for an interview.

Note: 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 Mikmaq) and/or People of Colour. Qualified candidates will be provided the opportunity to self-identify through a process with People & successful candidate may be required to provide additional self-identification information prior to -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.

**Please send your application package to:

Dr. Erin Austen Search Committee Chair

Department of Psychology Tenure-Track in Neuroscience StFX University

c/o Breagh MacDonald Administrative Assistant for Psychology
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Arts
St. Francis Xavier University
email:

St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mikmaki the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mikmaq 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 or .

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 todays undergraduates through providing the very best academic experience -- outstanding teaching exceptional hands-on research opportunities and global exchanges -- all within Canadas 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.

Macleans most recent annual university rankings put StFX #1 in reputation across Canada in the primarily undergraduate more visit

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.