Associate Professor-Behavior Change, Decision Science, and Policy

National MS Society; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Irvine invites applications for a joint tenure-track Associate Professor position in Behavior Change, Decision Science, and Policy. The successful candidate will advance research on how individuals and groups change behavior and respond to interventions, connecting behavioral science to real-world policy solutions.

We seek scholars bridging psychology and public policy with strong potential for external funding, collaboration across departments, and excellence in

Qualifications

• Must hold a doctoral degree by time of appointment.
• Research program with potential for external funding.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and campus.

Responsibilities

• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in Psychology and UPPP.
• Advance an independent research program integrating behavior science and public policy.
• Collaborate across Psychology, UPPP, and School of Social Ecology to translate research into policy.

Skills

Behavior change

Decision science

Policy

Interdisciplinary research

Mentoring

Teaching

External funding

Education

PhD in psychology/public policy/urban planning

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: The salary range for this position is $103,600 - $130,600 . The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Professor and Professor of Teaching Series – Academic Year Regular Scales. “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

Application Window

Open date: September 17, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Feb 28, 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 Department of Psychology and the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP) in the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, invite applications for a joint tenure-track faculty position at the Associate Professor level in Behavior Change, Decision Science, and Policy.

The position will advance research on how individuals and groups make decisions, change behavior, and respond to interventions, institutions, and public policy. We seek scholars who connect behavioral science to important real-world problems with a strong commitment to translating research into effective interventions, actionable programs, and policy solutions.

The successful candidate will complement the Department of Psychology’s strengths in basic and applied behavioral research (spanning developmental, health, social, or clinical domains) as well as UPPP’s focus on public policy, inequality, social problems and environmental issues.

Interdisciplinary Research and Policy

We welcome scholars whose research examines behavior change and decision-making––such as motivation, beliefs, social influence, self-regulation, and risk perception––and connects them to policy design, practice, and broader societal outcomes. We are particularly interested in candidates who bridge individual-level psychological science with social, institutional, community, or environmental contexts. The successful candidate will advance an interdisciplinary agenda that explores both how policy shapes human behavior and how behavioral insights can optimize the design, evaluation, and translation of public interventions and policies. This joint appointment offers rich opportunities for collaboration across Psychology, Urban Planning and Public Policy, the School of Social Ecology, and the broader UC Irvine campus.

Teaching and Mentoring

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in Psychology and UPPP. Teaching may include courses addressing behavior change, decision-making, behavioral science, public policy, urban planning, and/or the candidate's substantive area of expertise.

The candidate will mentor students across disciplinary boundaries and contribute to preparing students to apply psychological and behavioral science to complex social and policy problems.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a doctoral degree in psychology, public policy, urban planning, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• a strong or emerging independent research program;
• expertise in behavior change, decision science, behavioral science, policy, or a related area;
• a strong foundation in psychological or behavioral science;
• potential for interdisciplinary research and external funding
• commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring; and
• commitment to service to UCI and the academic profession.

Candidates whose work bridges behavior change, decision-making, and public policy are particularly encouraged to apply.

Joint Appointment

The position will be jointly appointed between the Department of Psychology and the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy within the School of Social Ecology.

The joint appointment is intended to create sustained intellectual collaboration between the two departments and establish a strong interdisciplinary presence in behavioral science, decision-making, and policy.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program that contributes meaningfully to both departments while maintaining a clear foundation in psychological and behavioral science.

Position Details

The position will begin July 1, 2027, with teaching beginning Fall Quarter 2027.

Please direct questions about the position to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman from the Department of Psychology and/or Dr. Seth Pipkin from UPPP.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Candidates must have a doctoral degree in psychology, public policy, urban planning, or a closely related discipline.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research
• Reflective Teaching and Mentoring Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.
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.

• “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affailing Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

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.

Job location

Irvine, CA