Human Resources

University Hiring Freeze

 

Dalhousie University has implemented a hiring freeze effective September 4, 2024, as a result of an emerging  financial shortfall for 2024/25.

This freeze applies to regular/ongoing positions as well as term, temporary, and casual faculty and staff positions. We anticipate the freeze to remain in effect until at least the end of our current fiscal year March 31, 2025. 

As a candidate applying for a position at Dalhousie, you will be impacted as all recruitment efforts will be paused, with some exceptions. Note: Grant-Paid and Postdoctoral Fellow positions (not funded by the university's budget), Canada Research Chairs, and positions approved on an exception will be exempt from this hiring freeze.

Please review the frequently asked questions below, and if you have further questions reach out to a member of our Human Resources team.

If you are a hiring manager, please visit the HR myDal site [login required] for more information.

Who is exempt from the hiring freeze?

Grant-Paid roles and Postdoctoral Fellow positions will proceed as they normally do.  Research grants and contracts come from outside of Dalhousie’s operating budget. 

Part-time academic, teaching assistant, marker and demonstrator positions identified for the 2024-25 academic year will proceed as planned but may be subject to change, at the discretion of the Faculty’s dean.

The recruitment of the Dalhousie Diversity Faculty Awards (DDFA) and Canada Research Chairs (CRC) will also continue, as we work towards the federal government’s targets.   

The Student Employment Program will continue.

All other exceptions will be required to go through the Exception Request Process [login required].

Why do I see job postings online if there is a hiring freeze?

Jobs posted on dal.ca/careers are either exempt from the hiring freeze (see "Who is exempt from the hiring freeze?") or the hiring team is pursuing an Exception Request Process. 

You are welcome to apply to job postings. You will be notified by email if there is a change to the status of a competition to which you applied.  

I recently applied to a job posting. Will my application still be considered?

All applicants will be notified by email if there is a change to the status of a competition to which they have applied. Unless otherwise notified, your application will be reviewed in alignment with Dalhousie's usual recruitment practices. 

Will I be notified if a job posting to which I’ve applied is cancelled?

Yes, you will be notified by email if there is a change to the status of a competition to which you applied.  

I recently interviewed for a position. What happens now?

All applicants, including those contacted for interview, will be notified by email if there is a change to the status of a competition to which they have applied.

My references are being checked by a hiring team. What happens now?

Searches that are engaged in the reference check stage are permitted to continue to completion. Your references will continue to be checked in alignment with Dalhousie's usual recruitment practices.

I recently received or accepted a job offer with Dalhousie. Will my offer be honoured?

Yes, all job offers will be honoured and we look forward to having you join the Dal team!

Who do I contact if I have concerns?

Human Resources remains available to support job seekers and applicants. 

For academic and staff competitions, please contact careers@dal.ca.

For grant-paid competitions, contact grantpaid@dal.ca.

I have applied through the Talent Pathways program, will my application still be reviewed and considered?

The Talent Pathways program will remain open, and your application will be reviewed and considered for any temporary positions that are exempt from the hiring freeze.