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Job Description:

The Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in cognitive psychology. We welcome applicants with a record of research excellence in cognitive psychology and related disciplines. We are particularly interested in candidates who would bring a distinct area of expertise beyond the cognitive psychology program’s existing strengths in learning and long-term memory, spatial cognition, legal psychology, and judgment and decision making. Areas of particular interest include attention, perception, working memory, cognitive control, psycholinguistics, and quantitative modeling, although other areas that add breadth will also be considered. We also welcome applied work that advances understanding of cognitive processes in real-world contexts.

Responsibilities include establishing and maintaining an active program of research, pursuing external funding, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in cognitive psychology, mentoring undergraduate students, providing doctoral training in cognitive psychology, and contributing service to the department, college, university, and profession. The start date for the position is August 16, 2027.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in psychology or a closely related field, conferred by the start date of the appointment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of excellence in research/scholarship in cognitive psychology using behavioral methods

• Evidence of or potential for securing external research support

• Research expertise in cognitive psychology that adds breadth beyond the program’s existing strengths in learning and long-term memory, spatial cognition, legal psychology, and judgment and decision making

• Evidence of or potential for effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring

Department/Program & College Description:

The psychology department at Iowa State University offers thriving Ph.D. programs in social, cognitive, and counseling psychology and is home to the largest number of undergraduate majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Consistent with the university’s land-grant mission, our research builds psychological theory through empirical investigations and applies scientific findings to benefit individuals, communities, and society. With outstanding doctoral students, extensive support for research and grant writing, and a research-friendly teaching load (standard teaching load is 3 scheduled courses per year), Iowa State provides an ideal environment for professional growth and academic success. Our department is highly collegial, supportive, and collaborative.

The cognitive psychology doctoral program has existing strengths in learning and memory, spatial cognition and navigation, and judgment and decision making, with applications in areas including AI, education, virtual environments, and legal psychology. Faculty and students have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration through programs and initiatives in human-computer interaction, neuroscience, statistics, gerontology, and psychology and law.

Iowa State University is located in Ames, a vibrant community of approximately 66,000 in central Iowa, about 30 miles north of Des Moines. Ames offers extensive parks and trails, strong public schools, a comparatively low cost of living, and convenient access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of the state’s largest metropolitan area. More information about the university and city can be found here: https://www.provost.iastate.edu/faculty-success/prospective. 
 

Department Unit/Website:

https://psychology.iastate.edu/

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Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

2) Resume/Curriculum Vitae

3) Statement of Research Interests

4) Statement of Teaching Interests and/or Philosophy

5) Contact information for three references

To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by September 21, 2026, but will be accepted until the position is filled.

For questions, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Jason Chan, at [email protected]

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

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Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.