Head - Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology in Dietrich College seeks a new Head to lead the Department in advancing its internationally recognized research and education mission. The Department takes an interdisciplinary approach to Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Health and Social Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. It is a community of 25 full-time faculty, 11 full-time staff, and 45 PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, united by a commitment to rigorous, theory-driven science that addresses real world problems.

The Department collaborates closely with units across the university, including Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Machine Learning, Robotics, Language Technology, Human Computer Interaction, Philosophy, Social and Decision Sciences, and Statistics and Data Science, as well as extensive collaborations with the University of Pittsburgh.

Fresh from a historic $3 billion gift that will strengthen the Pittsburgh campus and launch CMU Miami, the university is embarking on a new era of growth and innovation.

The Role of Department Head

At Carnegie Mellon, departments are guided by a Head rather than a Chair, charged with substantial budgetary and strategic independence. The Head reports to the Dean of Dietrich College and responsibilities include:

● working with faculty to set the Department’s strategic direction and lead its pursuit;

● managing budgets and allocating resources;

● representing the Department to the College, the University, and external partners, including donors and industry;

● building and sustaining relationships with other departments, colleges, and institutions.

● Bringing the Department’s faculty, staff, and trainees together to work smoothly as a team;

● working with the Graduate and Undergraduate Program Directors and directly with students at every level;

● leading faculty and staff recruitment, reviews, reappointments, and promotions;

● advancing the Department’s mission for research, scholarly excellence, education, and an inclusive environment.

Key Opportunities for the Next Head

The Head will work with the faculty to set a forward-looking vision for psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, leading the development of new hires, programs, and resources. With faculty hiring ahead and support from senior leadership for emerging areas, the Head will shape the Department’s composition for the next decade, build fundable collaborations across the university, and secure varied sources of research support as the funding landscape changes. The Head is also expected to be a strong advocate for trainees and build community: mentoring early-career faculty and cultivating a department where all members feel they belong and can do their best work.

Qualifications and Personal Characteristics

Candidates must merit appointment as a tenured full professor at Carnegie Mellon University and bring concrete evidence of leadership, such as having built or strengthened a department, center, or research program, launched new initiatives, recruited new faculty, or secured multi-investigator funding.

The successful candidate will have a track record of creating collaborations across disciplines and securing varied sources of research support, and a demonstrated record of mentoring and building a collegial, supportive department.

Application Instructions

Applications should consist of:

1) a letter of interest outlining the candidate’s qualifications for the position; and

2) a current CV.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to apply by midnight EDT on Friday, December 11, 2026.

Applications will be accepted until January 1, 2027. Please apply at the following link: Department Head - Psychology - Carnegie Mellon University