Professor in Psychology Department

Job Title: Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) 

Department: Psychology Department

Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit university, founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice, dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others. The University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence).  PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with online, hybrid and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who make significant contributions to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.  When you put all of this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who are at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving lives ahead. 

Position Description

The Psychology Department philosophy and mission are aligned with PAU’s vision that through insight into human behavior we can improve well-being and contribute to just and inclusive communities. The department houses two APA-accredited doctoral programs (a PhD program and the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, a joint PsyD program with the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University), an undergraduate completion program in Psychology, and a master's program in Psychology. With an intentional focus on classroom instruction, clinical practice, and research, we aspire to prepare students to address the emerging issues in the mental health field. The department has seven areas of emphasis: LGBTQ, Child and Family, Diversity and Community Mental Health (DCMH), Forensic, Meditation and Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Trauma. PAU operates an in-house community clinic, the Gronowski Center, and advanced students are placed at off-site practicum placements around the Bay Area, including VA Medical Centers, community clinics, and schools. Because our campus is situated in a diverse bay area and near Silicon Valley, we aspire to be a leader in ethnic and racial minority health and mental health technology. It is our hope that the new faculty would help us build on our existing areas of emphasis and help to move the department forward.

Palo Alto University (PAU) invites applications for two (2) tenure-track faculty positions in Psychology at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor for an appointment starting Fall 2022.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Successful candidates will be expected to teach core and specialization courses in the Psychology Department. Faculty members are also expected to: 1) demonstrate scholarly productivity, as reflected in publications, professional presentations, and research grants; 2) contribute to the department’s mission of providing outstanding teaching, research, and service; and 3) have an appreciation of diverse constituencies and add to the department’s and university’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to student advising, admissions, curriculum assessment/development, and general departmental and university service.

Required Qualifications:

An earned doctorate in Psychology or other closely related discipline, from an accredited institution (or foreign equivalent) is required; however, applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered. For an appointment, the doctorate must be completed by the date of appointment.

The University is especially seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The successful candidate will be creative and will have a strong commitment to teaching in a learner-centered environment. The successful candidate will have the following:

• Experience of successful undergraduate and/or graduate teaching of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic student populations;
• Experience teaching a variety of Psychology courses;
• Demonstrated evidence of scholarly productivity (i.e., publications, presentations, and/or grant funding);
• Active participation in professional organizations;
• Interest and/or experience in developing new academic programs in psychology; and
• The ability to work well in a small, collegial environment.

Preference will be given to candidates who have research, teaching, and/or clinical practice expertise in ethnic and racial minority mental health (e.g., African American mental health, racial trauma, etc.). 

 Application Procedures:

To be considered for one of the two (2) tenure-track faculty positions in Psychology at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, you must submit the following when you apply: 

• Cover letter stating which includes a summary of teaching interests
• Curriculum vitae
• A teaching statement that includes evidence of commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (In short, the personal statement should help the faculty identify candidates who have the professional skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that will advance PAU’s campus diversity and equity goals)
• Two reprints or pre-prints of scholarly work

Preference will be given to applications and supporting documents received by October 15, 2021, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.  Questions regarding the position may be directed to Rowena Gomez, Department Chair and Search Committee Chair, at psychologysearchchair@paloaltou.edu. Questions regarding issues with the application system should be directed to hr@paloaltou.edu.