Assistant Professor of Psychology (Biopsychology/Social and/or Developmental Neuroscience)

Assistant Professor of Psychology (Biopsychology/Social and/or Developmental Neuroscience)

Description

• The Department of Psychology at Shawnee State University (SSU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Psychology.

• We seek a psychologist with expertise in either Biopsychology, Physiological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a closely related field.

• The anticipated start date is either January 2027 or August 2027

• Shawnee State University is a student-centered public university located in Portsmouth, Ohio, a small community along the Ohio River. We serve a student population that includes many first-generation college students. At SSU, faculty can make a meaningful difference through excellent teaching, mentorship, and campus/community engagement.

• We seek a colleague who is committed to undergraduate education, excited to work with students, and able to teach effectively in both face-to-face and online formats.

• The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to the campus community.

• Areas of Expertise

Primary expertise should be in Biopsychology / Physiological Psychology or a closely related area. Related fields may include:

• Behavioral Neuroscience / Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience / Affective Neuroscience
• Experimental Psychology with a neuroscience or brain-behavior emphasis
• Sensation and Perception
• Learning and Memory with a neuroscience emphasis
• Neuropsychology with a non-clinical or experimental emphasis
• Comparative, evolutionary, or biological approaches to brain and behavior

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, advising, scholarship, curriculum development, and service.

• Teaching

• The position requires a 4/4 undergraduate course load, with four courses each fall and spring semester. The department values candidates who can teach broadly across the psychology curriculum.

Priority teaching areas include:

• PSYC 3150 Neurobiology of Behavior

• PSYC 3151 Sensation and Perception

• PSYC 3152 Cognitive Neuroscience

• PSYC 4150 Physiology of Behavior (course with lab)

• PSYC 4151 Evolutionary Psychology

• The ability to teach core courses such as statistics, research methods or other departmental needs is also valued.

• Curriculum Development

• Help maintain and strengthen the department’s offerings in biopsychology, neuroscience, and related areas. Contribute to a reliable rotation of upper-division courses that supports student progress toward graduation.

• Student Mentorship and Advising

• Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including first-generation students and students from diverse educational backgrounds. Support students as they develop career plans, research interests, and professional skills.

• Scholarly Engagement

• Engage in research, applied scholarship, or professional activity appropriate to the discipline and institutional mission. Student involvement in scholarly work is highly encouraged.

• Service and Campus Engagement

• Participate in department, college, and university service. The department values candidates who are willing to be present, active, collegial members of the campus community.

Application Process

Minimum Qualifications

• (Preferred) A doctorate, Ph.D. or equivalent, in Biopsychology, Physiological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental Psychology, or a closely related field by the start date
• or ABD status in one of the listed or closely related fields, with a documented pathway to degree completion within one year of hire
• or a master’s degree in a listed or closely related field with at least three years of full-time college-level teaching experience or five years of relevant professional experience in a neuroscience, biopsychology, or brain-behavior related role.

Preferred Qualifications

• College-level teaching experience.
• Strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, advising, and mentorship.
• Ability to teach a variety of psychology courses, including courses outside the candidate’s primary specialization.
• Ability to teach effectively in both face-to-face and online formats.
• Effective use of current instructional technology to engage students and support learning.
• Interest in supporting first-generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to active participation in the department, campus, and/or local community.
• Interest in involving undergraduate students in research, applied projects, or scholarly activity.
• Ability to engage students, both attracting and retaining students within the psychology program.

Shawnee State University offers a competitive starting salary (commensurate with overall qualifications) including an attractive benefits package. See Overview of Employee Benefits for more information.

Shawnee State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against any individual because of race, color, genetic information, religion, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or military status.

Minimum qualifications and preferred qualifications are as listed above.