MFA Cohort Director—Fiction

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 is seeking candidates for the half-time, limited-term faculty position of Cohort Director in its Master of Fine Arts in Fiction program.

Reporting to the Director of Writing & Publishing, the Cohort Director supervises and guides an incoming MFA student cohort, as well as their designated mentors, from admission through their two-year program to graduation.

The Cohort Director will:

• Teach one half-credit course per year (Writing Craft I or Publishing I, Writing Craft II or Publishing II).
• Supervise four full-credit courses during the two-year program (Mentorship I, II, III and IV).
• Serve on the MFA Fiction Admissions Committee.
• Assist the Director in hiring Mentors for their cohort.
• Oversee the work of Mentors in their cohort.
• Collaborate with the Director and the other Cohort Director to develop curriculum, organize and deliver residency programming, webinars and events, evaluate awards applications and assist in recruitment and program marketing.

Candidates must have an advanced degree and proven track records as editors or authors, as well as teaching experience at the university or equivalent level.

The successful candidate will be hired on a renewable three-year limited-term appointment.

The starting date for this position is May 1, 2026. Salary will be commensurate with academic and professional experience.

A complete application must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief teaching and publishing dossier, one sample of creative or scholarly work, and the names of three references.

Deadline for applications: February 25, 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

gillian.turnbull@ukings.ca

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.