Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Probationary Tenure-Track

Position Description 

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at St. Francis Xavier University invites applications for a probationary tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin July 1, 2026. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Applicants must have completed a PhD in the Earth Sciences or Environmental Science-related discipline by the time of appointment.  Candidates will have demonstrated excellence in greenhouse gas emissions research related to greenhouse gas mitigation and nature-based climate solutions and show excellence in undergraduate teaching and experiential learning.

The ideal candidate should have the capacity to teach across a broad range of Earth, Environmental, and Climate Science courses. The department has five full-time professors, offers undergraduate programs in solid Earth geoscience and environmental science, and typically houses 10-20 graduate (MSc and PhD) students. Courses may include: Environment, Climate, and Resources (EESC 172), Data Analysis in Earth and Environmental Sciences (EESC 265), Environmental Earth Science Field School (EESC 376), Earth Observing (EESC 377), Sustainable Energy Systems and Infrastructure (EESC 473), and potential involvement in graduate course delivery. Some of these courses require data manipulation, proficiency in R, Python, or a similar language.  The ideal candidate should also demonstrate an ability to teach some courses outside their main area of expertise.

The successful candidate will contribute to a research-intensive interdisciplinary department and build upon research strengths and capacity that align with the strategic plans of the University. Applicants are expected to provide evidence of innovative and internationally visible research activities on nature- based greenhouse gas emissions solutions and an independent, externally funded research program on related themes. The candidate is expected to have access to NSERC or other funds and to supervise graduate and honours students. The department offers a research-based MSc program; departmental faculty can supervise PhD students in-house through an agreement with Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Research infrastructure within the department includes 8 greenhouse gas spectrometers, several pollutant analyzers, gas chromatographs, isotope ratio mass spectrometer, eddy covariance tower, computational facilities, and others.

About the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
To learn more about the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, please visit Earth and Environmental Sciences Department | St. Francis Xavier University.
Application Instructions

Consideration of applications will commence on November 21, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching which may include a teaching philosophy and/or evidence of effectiveness of teaching, a statement of research interests and plans, and the names of three references via email to:

Dr. James Braid

Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, Nova Scotia   B2G 2W5

Please forward applications to the following email address:

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 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 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 2025, Maclean's annual university rankings put StFX #1 reputation in Canada for primarily undergraduate universities. 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

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