Assistant Professor in Psychology

National College of Ireland; Ireland; Remote; EUR 57,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension: Defined Contribution

34 days annual leave

Job summary

National College of Ireland is recruiting an Assistant Professor in Psychology to deliver high-quality teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programmes. The postholder will lead lectures, tutorials, workshops and assessments, supervise student research, and contribute to programme development and accreditation aligned with PSI standards.

The role requires a PhD in Psychology or related field, and eligibility for PSI membership.

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology or a closely related discipline.
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership or Chartered Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or equivalent professional body.
• Experience of lecturing psychology at third-level.
• Experience in module design, assessment, and curriculum development.
• Evidence of research activity and scholarly publication.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of contemporary psychological theory and research.
• Knowledge of research methods, statistics, psychopathology, psycho-traumatology, individual differences, criminal psychology.
• Willingness to deliver undergraduate modules across diverse topics.
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes in higher education.
• Familiarity with accreditation processes and engagement with professional bodies.
• Strong digital literacy, including Moodle/Blackboard and educational technologies.
• Proactive, self-directed approach.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programmes within the School of Business and Social Science.
• Design, prepare, and deliver lectures, tutorials, workshops, and other learning activities per policies and standards.
• Provide timely formative and summative feedback to students.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
• Engage in CPD to maintain subject expertise and pedagogical effectiveness.
• Participate in academic committees, programme boards, and QA processes.
• Monitor student engagement and take action to support learning outcomes.
• Monitor academic integrity where infringement may be a risk.

Skills

PhD in Psychology

University lecturing

Module design

Assessment

Curriculum development

Research activity

Publications

Supervising research

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Research methods

Statistics

psychopathology

Psycho-traumatology

Individual differences

Criminal psychology

Module delivery

Quality assurance

Accreditation processes

Professional bodies

Digital literacy

Moodle/Blackboard

Educational technologies

Self-directed working

Education

PhD in Psychology or related discipline

Graduate/Chartered PSI Membership eligibility

Job description

Position: Assistant Professor in Psychology

Reporting to: Dean of Business and Social Sciences & Vice Dean for Social Sciences

Purpose of Position:

The purpose of this position is to contribute to the academic excellence and strategic development of the National College of Ireland by delivering high-quality teaching in Psychology at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The postholder will be required to lecture on the BA (Hons) Psychology, full time and part time programmes, and the newly developing Masters in Psychology.

The postholder will engage in teaching, research, academic leadership, student support, and administration, contributing to the College's mission of providing innovative, learner-centred education and applied research.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, while supporting the strategic development of psychology programmes and fostering positive student outcomes. The successful candidate will also contribute to alignment with professional accreditation framework of PSI. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing the College’s reputation and supporting its ongoing growth and development.

Key Relationships:

• Dean of School of Business and Social Sciences
• Vice Dean for Social Science
• Faculty and Associate Faculty in the School
• Students both full and part-time
• Professional Bodies
• Academic Operations Team
• Student Services Team

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality teaching in the field of Psychology across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the School of Business and Social Science.
• Should have skill set and ability to deliver on a range of basic and applied areas of psychology.
• Design, prepare, and deliver lectures, tutorials, workshops, and other learning activities in line with institutional policies and quality standards.
• Provide timely and constructive formative and summative feedback to students.
• Supervise student research projects and dissertations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Engage in continuous professional development to maintain subject expertise and pedagogical effectiveness.
• Participate in academic committees, programme boards, and quality assurance processes.
• Monitor student engagement with learning and action appropriate responses within the design of the programme.
• Monitor academic integrity within programmes of learning and action where infringement may be a risk

Programme Development

• Contribute to the design, development, and review of new and existing programmes, ensuring alignment with academic standards and professional needs.
• Prepare programme documentation for validation, accreditation processes and other processes.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure curriculum relevance and responsiveness to emerging trends in the field of study.
• Contribute to the development of undergraduate and postgraduate psychology offerings.

Research and Scholarship

• Undertake research that contributes to the academic profile of the school.
• Engage in research in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Publish research outputs in relevant and appropriate scientific journals.
• Present research outputs and represent the college at relevant conferences.
• Seek external funding to support research initiatives and collaborative projects.
• Develop a personal research agenda aligned with the strategic priorities of the College.
• Engage with research policy and procedure at a school and college level.

Academic Leadership and Administration

• Contribute to the strategic development of the School of Business and Social Science through active participation in planning and review processes.
• Act as Programme Director for designated undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, in consultation with the Dean/Vice Dean, where and when necessary.
• Provide academic advice, pastoral support and career guidance to students when appropriate.
• Participate in College-wide events such as open days, recruitment fairs, and outreach activities.
• Contribute to short courses, executive education, and consultancy projects as required.
• Any other duties as required by the College.

Person Specifications:

Essential Qualifications:

• PhD in Psychology or a closely related discipline.
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership or Chartered Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or equivalent professional body.

Essential Experience:

• Experience of lecturing psychology at third-level.
• Experience in module design, assessment, and curriculum development.
• Evidence of research activity and scholarly publication.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of contemporary psychological theory and research.
• This position is particularly looking for candidates with good knowledge of, and ability to teach topics related to: research methods, statistics, psychopathology, psycho-traumatology, individual differences, criminal psychology. However, applicants with expertise in all areas of psychology are welcome to apply.
• Willingness and ability to deliver undergraduate modules across a diverse range of psychology topics.
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes in higher education.
• Familiarity with professional accreditation processes and engagement with professional bodies.
• Strong digital literacy, including proficiency in virtual learning environments (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard) and educational technologies.
• A proactive, self-directed approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Salary: Academic II - €56,570 - €84,021
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
• Annual Leave: 34 days per annum
• Pension: Defined Contribution Scheme
• Must be eligible to work in Ireland, for a January 2027 start.

Candidates who are deemed appointable at interview may be offered the opportunity to join a recruitment panel for future Psychology vacancies at the College

The successful applicant may be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

The Importance of Confidentiality We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.