Probationary Laboratory Instructor - Department of Psychology

Position Description

The Department of Psychology at St. Francis Xavier University invites applications for a Probationary Continuing Appointment as a Psychology Laboratory Instructor on a 9-month contract to begin August 10th 2026 and ending May 7th, 2027. Pending a successful evaluation, the contract may be renewable on an annual basis for a total of two academic years before being considered for a continuing appointment. Ideally, candidates for this position will have completed an undergraduate or Master’s degree in Psychology. **This position is subject to budgetary approval

The lab instructor (under the guidance of the individual faculty members in charge of assigned courses and collaboratively with other lab instructors) will help to plan, prepare, and facilitate labs, including overseeing lab activities and grading student lab assignments. The successful candidate must be prepared to teach labs associated with courses in Research Methods (Psyc 291) and Statistics (Psyc 292), as well as labs for a selection of our core courses: Brain and Behavior (Psyc 231/232), Cognition (Psyc 221/222), Developmental (Psyc 261/262), Sensation and Perception (Psyc 298) or Psychology of Behavior (Psyc 211). Candidates with evidence of experience or training in these key areas will be prioritized. Candidates must be available for in-person teaching.

About the Psychology Department

The St.F.X. Psychology Department is the largest department in the Faculty of Arts and among the largest within the university. Our Department includes full-time faculty members with diverse programs of research and funding support, and three lab instructors. Our courses attract students from all disciplines across campus, and we offer degrees in both the Arts and Sciences. We offer an honours program, course-based research experiences, as well as service learning and work-integrated learning opportunities. To learn more about the Department, please visit our website: StFX Psychology.

Application Instructions

Consideration of applications will commence immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a single PDF application package, which includes a cover letter highlighting your suitability for the position (including relevant training and experience, and evidence of collaboration, such as specific accomplishments  you contributed to as part of a team and your role), curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to:

Dr. Erin Austen, Chair

c/o Breagh MacDonald

Department of Psychology

Faculty of Arts

St. Francis Xavier University

email: psychology@stfx.ca

 

Review of applications will begin on May 11, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

Our institution is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), racialized persons (especially African Nova Scotians), persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and any others who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

We are also committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. Should you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact People and Culture at hr@stfx.ca or 902-867-5038.

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.