Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and/or Biological Psychology

 

Department Of Psychology

 

Faculty Employment Opportunity

Job #: 529444

Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location: Sonoma

Categories: Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track, Unit 3 CFA – California Faculty Association

Department of Psychology

Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and/or Biological Psychology

Starting August, 2024

Our Commitment

Sonoma State University is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution, as such we are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and we endeavor to employ faculty and staff reflecting the linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the region and state.

Guided by our core values as a university: diversity, sustainability, community engagement, and adaptability, Sonoma State University (SSU) offers an education that fosters intellectual, social, and personal growth. SSU is a public liberal arts and sciences university. As the only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges in the state of California, we are committed to preparing students for a life of active citizenship and public service. We have a vibrant campus life characterized by a lively co-curriculum that fosters broad-based intellectual and artistic opportunities in which the campus as a whole is actively engaged.

Sonoma State University is committed to creating a community in which bias and intolerance have no place.  It is our expectation that all students, faculty, and staff work together to honor this commitment and hold each other accountable to create an open and inclusive environment.

We are committed to facilitating spaces in which all can grow by building on our students’ assets as they explore new knowledge. These efforts include fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, experimentation, empathy, and communication. The successful candidate will be one who can collaborate with faculty, staff, administration, and students to achieve these goals. We are especially interested in candidates committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Faculty Responsibilities

In addition to teaching and scholarship, faculty are expected to engage in service to the University, profession, and community.  These responsibilities include:  advising students, participation in campus and system-wide communities, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participating in traditional academic functions.

Sonoma State is committed to the Teacher/Scholar model and places an emphasis on faculty support of undergraduate research and other professional opportunities for students. Faculty are also expected to foster our commitment to the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 through excellent teaching, advising, and mentoring. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the University’s Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Policy.  During the first two years of the probationary period the instructional assignment will be reduced by two courses per academic year for probationary faculty members, in order to assist in establishing their programs of research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, and carrying out other activities that would support them in meeting the requirements for retention, tenure, and promotion.. All faculty are required to have the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

The Department

The Psychology Department is one of the largest majors on campus with approximately 600 full-time and part-time students from diverse demographic backgrounds, and eight full-time faculty members. The Department, housed in the School of Social Sciences, emphasizes high-quality undergraduate teaching, scholarship, advising, and service to the community and the university. Our goal is to empower students with the psychological knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to be effective agents of change in the world. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Department’s website at www.sonoma.edu/psychology.

Duties of the Position

The position is in the areas of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and/or biological psychology. We seek a highly motivated, dynamic teacher/scholar who is capable of teaching classes in their areas of expertise, as well as general courses within cognitive and biological psychology. General courses could include Cognitive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Learning & Behavior, Neuroscience, and Sensation & Perception. 

Academic responsibilities include 12 units of undergraduate curriculum (typically three courses a semester). New faculty are offered one course release per semester for the first two years. Faculty members are encouraged to infuse diversity perspectives into their teaching and prepare students to work effectively with diverse populations. The ideal candidate will have a promising program of research that could involve undergraduates and an ability to integrate experiential/active learning methods into their teaching. In addition to teaching and scholarship, faculty are expected to advise students, take part in departmental administrative work, serve on campus-wide committees, and provide service to the community. Area of specialization is open, though candidates with interest in topics such as mindfulness, stress reduction, and social justice are especially encouraged to apply.

Professional Qualifications

To be recommended for appointment, the candidate must have:

• a Ph.D. in Psychology by time of appointment.
• the ability to teach courses in the area of cognitive and/or biological psychology.
• evidence of effective teaching.
• the ability to involve undergraduates as research assistants.
• an active program of research or scholarship with some record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional conferences. 
• ability to work effectively with diverse and underrepresented students, staff and faculty. 

Candidates from groups underrepresented in higher education are enthusiastically encouraged to apply.

To be recommended for tenure, the candidate must demonstrate satisfactory performance in three areas: (1) teaching effectiveness; (2) research, scholarship, and creative achievement; and (3) service to the University and the community. Tenure may be granted at any time, but contract provisions specify that the normal period of probation shall be a total of six (6) years of full-time probationary service and credited service, if any. Any deviation from the normal six (6) year probationary period shall be the decision of the President following his/her/their consideration of recommendations from the department or equivalent unit and appropriate administrator(s). Tenure is required for promotion above the level of Associate Professor.

Rank and Salary

Service credit depends upon academic preparation and professional experience. The salary for this position is: $78,276 - $81,432.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter*
• Curriculum Vitae*
• Student Evaluations
• Statement of Research Interest
• Diversity Statement
• Teaching Philosophy
• Three (3) Non-Confidential Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Sonoma State University hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents demonstrating the appointee’s identity and eligibility to work, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU.

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon the date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, go to jobs.sonoma.edu and click on the Staff & Faculty Career Opportunities link. Find and select the faculty position you are applying for to view the description and select Apply Now. If you have not previously applied, you will be prompted to create an account. You can use this account to apply to multiple positions. Once you have submitted the application, a confirmation email will be automatically sent to you. Please do not send materials to facultysearch@sonoma.edu. If you encounter difficulties during the application process, please email facultysearch@sonoma.edu.

Application Deadline

Applications received by October 20, 2023 will be given full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Questions concerning this position may be directed to: 

Search Committee Chair: Dr. Missy Garvin

Email: missy.garvin@sonoma.edu

Questions concerning the application process may be directed to:

Academic Personnel Department – facultysearch@sonoma.edu

The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccomodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

The University

Sonoma State University's beautiful 274-acre campus is located in Sonoma County wine country, an hour north of San Francisco. The campus offers the ideal setting for teaching and learning and access to a community of rich cultural, environmental, and recreational opportunities. Founded in 1960, SSU is one of the 23 campuses of the Californian State University System. As members of the largest public higher educational system in the nation, we provide accessible, high-quality education.

Other Information

The university is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

This position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

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