Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science

University of California, San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California San Diego invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science. We seek candidates whose research and teaching advance foundational issues in cognitive science, including computational approaches, to deepen our understanding of biological and artificial minds and intelligences.

The successful candidate will lead an independent program, supervise trainees at all levels, teach courses in cognitive science, and contribute to service to the

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in cognitive science by start date.
• Strong research agenda in cognitive science with potential for independent program.
• Ability to supervise students and teach at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead an independent cognitive science research program.
• Supervise trainees at all levels.
• Teach courses in cognitive science.
• Engage in service to department and university.

Skills

Cognitive Science expertise

Research leadership

Graduate supervision

Teaching cognitive science

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent in cognitive science

ABD considered

Job description

Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science

University of California San Diego

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Professor

Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $150,300 - $170,900. The posted UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay as determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the salary scale(s) for this position: 10/1/26 Table 1 Salary Scale. The base salary range, from the salary table(s), for this position is $88,300. "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. Additional UCSD salary information can be found here: Salary Programs and Scales

Application Window

Open date: September 9, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Nov 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, May 1, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The UC San Diego Department of Cognitive Science invites applications for a tenure‑track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank. We seek exceptional candidates whose research and teaching addresses foundational issues in cognitive science, incorporating modern computational approaches, to deepen our understanding of biological and/or artificial minds and intelligences. The successful candidate will be expected to lead an independent cognitive science research program, supervise trainees in cognitive science at all levels, including undergraduate and graduate students, teach courses in cognitive science, and engage in service to the department, university, and the profession.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

By the time of application, candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or be ABD (all but dissertation) in their relevant area of cognitive science.

Additional qualifications

By the time of appointment candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in their relevant area of cognitive science.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Publication(s) - Include up to 4 representative publications/scholarly articles uploaded as a single PDF document.
• Statement of Teaching
• Other Creative Work - Provide videos, demos or press coverage of other creative work (optional). (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 letters of reference required

About UC San Diego

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.

The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at [phone] if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Job location

San Diego, CA