Assistant Professor - Biological Psychology

About the role

The Department of Psychology at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor in Biological Psychology (area open) beginning in August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Teaching responsibilities for this position will include undergraduate and graduate coursework in biological psychology (e.g., introductory psychobiology, neuroscience, drugs, brain, and behavior).
• The candidate will be expected to develop a program of research in biological psychology and to pursue both internal and external funding.
• The candidate must maintain a productive research program, which may consist of collaborative research across the University, with other academic institutions, or other external agencies.
• Student mentoring is valued in our department, and a successful candidate will mentor and support undergraduate and graduate students of diverse backgrounds in conducting research.
• The successful applicant should be prepared to take an active role in the MA in Research and Experimental Psychology graduate program, which includes serving as a mentor and advisor to graduate students, instructor in graduate courses, and member of the MA program committee.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Biological or Physiological Psychology (or closely related field, such as Cognitive Neuroscience) by date of appointment.
• Demonstrated scholarly productivity and strong research agenda in the scientific study of Biological Psychology.
• Proficiency with experimental research methods typically used in Biological or Physiological Psychology.
• Commitment to, and demonstrated potential for, teaching and mentoring excellence at the undergraduate level and within the MA in Research and Experimental Psychology graduate program.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a collegial atmosphere of shared governance.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Biological or Physiological Psychology (or closely related field, such as Cognitive Neuroscience) by date of appointment.
• Demonstrated scholarly productivity and strong research agenda in the scientific study of Biological Psychology.
• Proficiency with experimental research methods typically used in Biological or Physiological Psychology.
• Commitment to, and demonstrated potential for, teaching and mentoring excellence at the undergraduate level and within the MA in Research and Experimental Psychology graduate program.
• An awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a collegial atmosphere of shared governance.

Skills

• Proficiency with human psychophysiological research methods, such as EEG, peripheral psychophysiology (e.g., skin conductance, heart rate variability, pupillometry), or hormonal assays.
• Note that the department does not have animal or neuroimaging facilities.
• Proficiency with modern data analytics tools (e.g., data analytics or machine learning libraries in Python or R).
• Commitment to seeking external funding to support research-related activities and/or to enhance student learning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Pay

Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $ 88,000 - $ 92,000

Schedule

Target Start Date: August, 2027