Established in 1789, the University of King’s College is Canada’s oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, King’s is known nationally and internationally for its highly acclaimed interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including its renowned Foundation Year Program, its professional programs in journalism and its fine arts programs in creative writing. King’s is a community where students, faculty, alumni, and staff work to bring greater understanding, creativity, and compassion to the world.
The University of King’s College School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing invites applications for a Limited-Term (3-year) Half-Time Appointment, at the rank of Associate Professor (Writing & Publishing), beginning May 1, 2026.
Reporting to the Director of Writing & Publishing, the Associate Director supervises the administration and delivery of the MFA program, including overseeing faculty mentors and sessional instructors.
Specific teaching duties will depend on the successful candidate’s background and will include graduate-level courses in writing craft, publishing and production in fiction, nonfiction, scripted and other forms of storytelling; supervising mentors in mentorship courses; and leading webinars and writing workshops aimed at students, prospective students, alumni and the general public.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in writing and publishing, with minimum five years of experience as an editor, author, or writing instructor, and minimum five years of experience teaching at the university level. Their prior work will show evidence of writing craft and storytelling skill; curriculum development; and experience undertaking program and faculty administrative duties, including such tasks as administering courses, timetabling, course planning, program marketing and recruitment. They will be intimately familiar with the creative and business sides of the publishing industry in Canada and the United States; and have extensive and current contacts among top-level authors, editors, publishers and industry organizations.
The successful candidate will have a graduate degree (MFA or PhD), will have experience in the classroom as a lead instructor, and show evidence of high-level organizational capabilities. The successful candidate is expected to engage actively in professional activity directly relevant to writing, publishing and storytelling. These duties include:
King’s offers two limited residency Writing & Publishing programs at the Master’s level: a two-year Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction degree and a two-year Master of Fine Arts in Fiction degree. Other Master’s level programs are under development. It also offers non-credit writing workshops, an alumni writing conference, and other writing and publishing instruction. The programs draw students from across Canada and abroad, from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The Writing & Publishing program enjoys a national reputation for excellence. In the ten years since graduating the first MFA class, more than 90 students have published or are under contract to publish books developed in the program.
The starting date for this position is May 1, 2026. Salary will be commensurate with academic and professional experience.
A complete application must include CV, examples of professional work, evidence of teaching competence, a plan for research, creative, or professional work, names of three references, and any other materials that would shed light on their suitability. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in late March and interviewed in April.
Deadline for applications: March 12, 2026.
Please send the full application package via email to:
Dr. Gillian Turnbull
Director | Writing & Publishing
School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing
University of King’s College
Questions regarding the position are welcomed and should be directed to Dr. Turnbull.
The University of King’s College is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community.