Assistant Professor of Psychology

The California State University; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University San Marcos is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology for Fall 2027. The department emphasizes psychology as an empirical science and invites candidates who can build a robust research program involving students, teach both lecture and lab courses, and supervise master’s theses.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Psychology or related field, demonstrated teaching excellence, and the ability to develop a vibrant cognitive psychology

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field prior to date of appointment (ABD applicants accepted; PhD required by hire date).
• Evidence of teaching excellence at the university level (e.g., student evaluations/summaries, peer observation) and ability to supervise master’s theses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a robust cognitive psychology research program involving students.
• Teach lecture courses and upper-division lab courses in cognitive psychology.
• Supervise master’s theses in the psychological science program.

Skills

Cognitive psychology research

Teaching excellence

Thesis supervision

Course & lab instruction

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology or Cognitive Science

Job description

Job no: 562642
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San Marcos
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Human Development

California State University San Marcos expects to hirea tenure-track Assistant Professor for Fall 2027withexpertiseinCognitive Psychology.

The Psychology Department at California State University San Marcos servesover2000 students, offering twoin-personbachelor’sdegrees in Psychological Science and Child and Adolescent Development, and two in-person master’sdegreesinPsychological Science and ClinicalCounseling Psychology.Thedepartmentemploys a teacher-scholar model(with tenure-line faculty teaching a 3-3 load),emphasizingpsychology as an empirical science and the development of skills that include written and oral communication, information literacy, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and critical analysis of complex problems.Multicultural perspectives and ethical issues are integral tothe department’s curriculum.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field prior to date of appointment (ABD applicants accepted; PhD required by hire date).
• Only candidates with demonstrated capacity to establish a robust cognitive psychology research program that can involve students will be considered.
• Applicants must havedemonstratedevidence of teaching excellence at the university level (e.g., student evaluations/summaries, peer observation summaries) and must be able to supervisemaster’stheses in our psychological science program.
• Applicantsmustbeableto teach lecture courses, and upper-division lab courses, in cognitive psychology.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Evidence of an active research program specializing in cognitive psychology with the ability to involve both graduate and undergraduate students.
• Preference forthe ability to teach needed courses within the existing curriculum, including undergraduate lecture and lab courses in cognitive psychology, research methods, and statistics, and graduate seminars in cognitive psychology, research methods, and statistics.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence with diverse groupsin teaching,researchand/or service.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,438 - $7,667 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221- $13,224 per month

APPLICATION

All applications must include:

• Cover letter that addresses the above minimum and desired/preferred qualifications
• Statement of research interests
• Evidence of research productivity (up to three representative publications)
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Evidence of teaching success (Student Evaluations, peer observation,evidence of ability to communicate with and serve students of a variety of abilities and backgrounds, etc.)
• Contact information for three professional references.

TIMELINE:

A review of applications will begin onNOV. 13, 2026; however, the position will be open until filled.

CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 feeestablishedby the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicantsare responsible fordeterminingthe applicability of the fee.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and veteran or military status.

Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy , the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and isrequiredtocomply withthe requirementsset forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, referencechecksand criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification .

Advertised:

Sep 30 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close