Department of Psychology Limited Term Appointment

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.

Application Instructions

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:

1. a cover letter highlighting suitability for the Department of Psychology Limited-Term Appointment.
2. curriculum vitae being sure to highlight any of the following teaching-relevant items:
   1. publications in referred journals and/or publications of other scholarly work
   2. record of research funding or clear outline of plans for future research projects and funding.
   3. dissemination activities (e.g. conference presentations invited talks workshops)
   4. awards and/or other recognitions
   5. student mentorship (can include co-supervisions and informal mentorship)
   6. undergraduate and/or graduate teaching experience
   7. engagements in professional development opportunities for teaching
3. statement of teaching philosophy (max. 2 pages) plus supporting materials. Supporting materials could include 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).
4. names addresses (including email) and telephone numbers of three referees. Please note that referees will be contacted only for those applicants who are being considered for an interview.

**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:

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 .

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.

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 2022 Macleans annual university rankings put StFX #1 in student satisfaction and #2 in reputation across Canada in the primarily undergraduate category. For 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 or .