Assistant Professor (Continuing Track), Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (psych.udel.edu) at the University of Delaware invites applications for a permanent, teaching-focused Assistant Professor (Continuing Track) position, with a background in Social Psychology and expertise for teaching Quantitative Methods.

This position is an excellent opportunity for an inspiring teacher-scholar to play an active role in strengthening the teaching mission of our department. Currently, our department comprises 34 faculty members, 9 of whom are teaching and training-focused. The Continuing Track (CT) is UD’s permanent non-tenure track. CT faculty enjoy contracts that lengthen over time, and most of the same benefits as tenure-track faculty (e.g., identical titles, parallel promotion and salary track, sabbaticals, and shared faculty governance). For more information, see https://sites.udel.edu/ctcaucus/why-do-you-want-to-be-a-ct-faculty-at-ud/. The position will permit candidates to pursue research, teaching leadership, or scholarship in teaching and learning.

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   We are seeking an exceptional candidate in the area of Social Psychology. This position will involve teaching three or four undergraduate courses a semester. The focus of these teaching responsibilities will be balanced between courses related to social psychology (e.g., Social Psychology, Intro to Personality) and quantitative and methodological courses such as Statistics, Research Methods, and Advanced Research Methods. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively teach traditional quantitative and research methods (e.g., null hypothesis testing) and integrate discussion of current hot topics (e.g., the “new statistics”; Open Science) in these domains. The candidate will also be expected to work with other faculty members in Psychological and Brain Sciences in support of our teaching mission (i.e., developing and implementing shared curricular goals).

Applicants for this position must have earned a Ph.D. in psychology or a related field (or be ABD at the time of application) and have some experience teaching and mentoring undergraduates. Successful candidates should demonstrate their teaching effectiveness, their experience with evidence-based and reflective teaching practices, and their interest in a teaching-focused faculty career in their application materials (see To Apply below).

Our University and Department are committed to inclusive excellence. As such, it is critical that the candidate for this position will be capable of supporting and mentoring a diverse student population. The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences holds diversity, equity, and inclusion as important values. We view diversity broadly, including but not limited to an individual's race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability status, beliefs, and culture, as well as how those identities intersect. Supporting diversity in our faculty, student body, and staff, as well as valuing and respecting diversity in our teaching, research, service, and clinical work, represent important priorities that contribute to the strength of the department.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES AT UD:  The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware (psych.udel.edu) is within the College Arts and Sciences. The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware is within the College Arts and Sciences. The department is home to roughly 1200 undergraduate majors and 400 minors and offers degrees in both Psychology and Neuroscience. The department is organized around four concentrations of research and graduate training that is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. Our graduate students and full-time faculty conduct basic and applied research in behavioral neuroscience, clinical science, cognitive psychology and social psychology. 

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware offers exceptional educational experiences including integrated instruction, research and public engagement. With 24 academic departments and more than 30 centers, programs and institutes, the College serves over 7,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students with CAS majors, but also every single University student through foundational course work. The College’s 580 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and science education and share a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression. The College has departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, and features outstanding research and teaching facilities. Faculty and staff encourage and support innovative interdisciplinary collaborations and students engage local, national and global audiences through research and creative activity. With annual research expenditures of approximately $30 million and growing, the College currently houses several large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and NSF.

The University of Delaware (www.udel.edu) is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education, combining tradition and innovation. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and in supporting its academic mission.  We are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds, and we strongly encourage applications from educators from under-represented groups. UD provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The immediate Newark and Wilmington, DE area is a unique and welcoming community, full of parks, nature preserves, and hiking/biking trails, as well as community-focused events (e.g., hot air balloon festival, local music festivals), local farms, food co-ops, breweries, and farmer’s markets. The Poconos and some of the finest beaches in the country are also within a few hours’ drive, making it an ideal location for day or weekend trips. For people who enjoy city life, the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware is only a short drive or train commute from Philadelphia, PA. UD is also within driving distance of New York City, Baltimore, Washington DC.

TO APPLY: Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should apply online where they will submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter describing expertise and experience related to the position description
2. A curriculum vitae
3. A teaching statement outlining: (a) teaching and mentoring philosophies, (b) teaching experience, (c) evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., use of Science of Teaching and Learning [SoTL] techniques in your classes, a summary of teaching evaluations) and development (e.g., participation in teaching pedagogy workshops), and (d) plans for instruction within the scope of this position (maximum three pages)
4. A diversity statement: detailing strategies for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in teaching and mentoring. In this statement, you can draw upon lived experiences, inclusive teaching practices you have already implemented, your research background, outreach efforts you have engaged in, etc. (maximum two pages)
5. Names and contact information for three references. Letters of recommendation will be requested for candidates selected to interview.

For additional information, please contact Peter Mende-Siedlecki, PhD at [email protected].

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Compensation packages are highly competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The UD benefits package is one of the best in the nation.