Assistant Professor, Computational Approaches to Perception and/or Cognition

Department of Psychology; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and benefits

Generous time off

Retirement plans

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Department of Psychology invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Training Program, beginning Fall 2027.

We seek an outstanding scholar combining experimental and computational approaches to perception and cognition. Primary appointment in CAB; cross-affiliation possible with other areas. Salary and start-up packages are competitive, with a 100% nine-month appointment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology or related field with research expertise in computational approaches to perception and/or cognition.
• Ability to teach high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses in this area.
• Ability to mentor students from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong research program with potential for extramural funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an innovative research program in computation, perception and cognition.
• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students within the CAB Training Program.
• Collaborate across departmental areas and contribute to cross-affiliation opportunities.
• Pursue extramural funding and contribute to departmental service.

Skills

Computational approaches to perception

Cognition research

Education

PhD in Psychology or related field

Job description

The Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities announces a search for an outstanding scholar to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position focused on computational approaches to perception and/or cognition. This full-time position in the Department’s Cognitive and Brain Sciences (CAB) Training Program will begin in Fall 2027.

Applications are invited from researchers who would extend or complement our historic strengths in combining experimental and computational approaches to perception and cognition. Examples of desired research topics include, but are not limited to, computational approaches in human and/or non-human animal models to study perceptual function and sensory loss, learning, motivation, emotion, and/or higher cognition. While we expect the primary appointment to be in our CAB area, there is potential for cross-affiliation with other departmental areas.

The appointment will be 100%-time over the nine-month academic year (late-August to late-May) and will be made at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor, depending on qualifications and experience and consistent with collegiate and University policy. Salary and start-up packages are competitive.

About the Department

The Department of Psychology ranks among the top academic departments in the nation and throughout the world. The Department has 50 regular faculty members and graduate programs in Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research; Cognitive and Brain Sciences; Counseling Psychology; Industrial-Organizational Psychology; Personality, Individual Differences, and Behavioral Genetics; Quantitative/Psychometric Methods; and Social Psychology. The Department of Psychology offers programs leading to B.A., B.S., and Ph.D. degrees. For additional information, please visit the Department of Psychology website, at https://cla.umn.edu/psychology.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this tenure-track position is $75,000 - $110,000, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

State law requires a good faith estimate of the salary range for all advertised positions. The range for this position is $75,000 to $110,000 depending on discipline, experience and other considerations. Faculty positions also include significant start-up funds, as well as retirement, health and other benefits.

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota 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. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Psychology or related field with research expertise in computational approaches to perception and/or cognition. Ability to teach high-quality undergraduate and graduate courses in this area of research. Ability to effectively mentor students from a variety of different backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in teaching other substantive courses related to the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs.

The successful applicant should have and is expected to maintain a strong research program, advise graduate students from a variety of different backgrounds, and teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including core courses within the graduate training program. A strong record of teaching and mentorship is desired. The individual will also be expected to contribute to the service needs of the department, college, university, and profession.

A successful candidate's application will demonstrate scholarly distinction, a record of publications, teaching commitment and, if applicable to the research program and the candidate’s career stage, evidence of success in securing and/or pursuing extramural funding.