Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive Psychology

The Department of Psychology at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive Psychology beginning Fall 2024. This is an open area position within Cognitive Psychology, and applicants studying human, animal, or computational (or any combination) models are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or expect to complete their Ph.D. by September, 2024 in a relevant field. Applicants should have a strong record of research scholarship that has the potential to incorporate undergraduates as research assistants, and should have experience and passion for teaching undergraduates. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate inclusive pedagogical practices that advance SCU goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provide evidence of experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students. 

Santa Clara is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley. Faculty are teaching scholars who are expected to balance a commitment to teaching, research, and service. This is an in–person position. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Teaching

1. Teach lower- and upper-division courses in the major and university core curriculum, as assigned by the chair, to include Statistics & Research Methods, Introductory Psychology, and upper division courses such as Cognitive Psychology, Memory, Sensation and Perception, as well as additional courses in her/his/their area of expertise. SCU is on the quarter system and a typical load is two courses per quarter. Teaching responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
   1.  Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively.
   2. Assigning and evaluating written work, projects, and exams that align with course or core learning objectives and providing timely feedback to students.
   3. Holding weekly office hours at times reasonably convenient to students.
   4. Assigning and submitting student grades that are appropriate, accurate, and fair measures of student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline.
   5. Administering numerical and narrative evaluations in each section for all courses.

2. Develop and teach courses that contribute to curriculum development in the relevant degree program and/or the university core.  Faculty teaching university core courses should follow an approved syllabus or work with the chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee.

3. Participate in assessment of student learning for courses in the department.

4. Provide informed advice and mentoring to undergraduate students.

5. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or by the Chair of the Psychology Department.

Research

1. Develop a research program at SCU that will result in the publication of peer-reviewed publications, monographs, and/or creative work per the department scholarship standards.
2. Preference will be given to candidates with a research program that can accommodate participation of undergraduates.

Service

1. Provide effective service to the Department of Psychology, the College, the University and profession through contributions other than teaching and scholarship such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, leadership, and community service performed by virtue of professional expertise or association with the university as appropriate to rank and experience.

The health and safety of the university community is a top priority. All Santa Clara University students, and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or request a medical or religious exemption. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage for additional information.

Applicants are invited to visit the University’s website (www.scu.edu) for background on Santa Clara’s mission, scope of programs and degrees offered, and faculty opportunities for interdisciplinary programs and research.

Santa Clara University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity and inclusion, and, in this spirit, particularly encourages applications from women, persons of color, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. 

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Completion of the Ph.D. by the time of appointment.

2. Evidence of potential for effective and excellent university-level teaching in upper- and lower-division classes is required at the time of appointment

3. Evidence of a program of research and promise of publication in the area of expertise.

Appointment Type and Salary

Assistant Professor

Competitive salary and benefits package; housing assistance program

Starting Date: September 1, 2024

Application Deadline: October 1, 2023

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter or personal statement that includes (a) a statement of teaching philosophy, (b) a projected research agenda, (c) the applicant’s experience and skills in working with people of diverse cultures and identities, (d) a statement on the candidate’s ability to contribute to interdisciplinary ventures that contributes to the department, College or university priorities, and (e) the applicant’s understanding of the mission of Santa Clara; (2) a current curriculum vitae; (3) sample syllabi and teaching evaluations (if available) from any courses taught; (4) at least one example of representative scholarship; (5) graduate school transcript(s); and (6) the names of three references that may be contacted by the search committee chair. All materials should be submitted via Workday.