What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor, Cognitive Psychology position at Wilkes University?
The Department of Psychology at Wilkes University invites applications for a TENURE-TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSOR position in Cognitive Psychology, pending available funding, beginning August 2026.
We welcome candidates from a broad range of backgrounds related to cognitive psychology or cognitive neuroscience. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of our Psychology and Neuroscience majors and will teach undergraduate courses such as Cognition, Introductory Psychology, and courses within our capstone sequence (e.g., senior seminar in the candidate's area of expertise). The standard teaching load is 12 credits per semester.
The Department of Psychology comprises six full-time faculty who are dedicated to student success and excellence in teaching. We seek a candidate who demonstrates a strong commitment to undergraduate education and can provide evidence of teaching effectiveness and scholarly productivity commensurate with experience. The new faculty member will be expected to develop an active research program that incorporates undergraduate students, advise majors, and engage in university and professional service. Preference will be given to candidates who embrace the University's culture of developing undergraduate mentoring relationships.
A Ph.D. in psychology or cognitive neuroscience is required by the time of appointment. ABD candidates will be considered if degree completion will occur by August, 2026. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Psychology is the largest major in the College of Arts and Sciences and one of the most popular programs at Wilkes University. The department also houses our Neuroscience major. We have active Psychology and Neuroscience Clubs and a Psi Chi chapter. We highly value undergraduate student-faculty research. Faculty regularly collaborate with students and present their work at regional and national conferences.
Application Instructions
To apply, visit https://wilkesuniversitycareers.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Summary of course evaluations (if available)
- Graduate transcripts
- Research statement
- Statement addressing teaching interests, teaching philosophy, and diversity
Additionally, arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to: Ms. Andrea Rizzo (andrea.rizzo@wilkes.edu), Administrative Assistant for the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Review of applications will begin January 12, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Hiring for this position is pending final budget approval.
Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. The University has approximately 2,000 students at the undergraduate level and over 1,500 full time equivalent students at the graduate and first professional levels.
Its institutional focus is on developing strong mentoring relationships with each of its students and contributing vitally to economic development of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a revitalized city that is located on the lovely Susquehanna River and is within two and one-half hours driving distance of New York City and Philadelphia.
Wilkes University is constantly seeking to become a more diverse community and to enhance its capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. The University strongly encourages applications from persons with diverse backgrounds. Wilkes University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.
Employment at Wilkes is contingent upon the results of a thorough background screening. PA Act 153 requires that persons working in positions with regular and unsupervised contact with minors complete additional clearances, including FBI fingerprinting and PA criminal and child abuse clearances.