Psychology Assistant Professor

Slippery Rock University; Slippery Rock (Butler County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Slippery Rock University’s Psychology Program invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position starting August 2027. The department prioritizes undergraduate education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The successful candidate will teach a 4/4 load of courses such as Intro to Psychology, Research Methods, and Cognitive Psychology, and will develop an active research program mentoring undergraduates while contributing to service and program development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology; Ph.D. must be completed by Aug 22, 2027.
• Active research program and mentoring undergraduates.
• Evidence of advising undergraduate students.
• Commitment to educating diverse student populations.
• Dedication to departmental and university service.
• Experience with APA-style writing across the curriculum.
• Must complete on-campus interview, research presentation, and teaching demonstration.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 4/4 undergraduate load including Intro to Psychology, Research Methods, Cognitive Psychology, and other courses.
• Align teaching, research, and service with personal and program goals; engage in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Skills

Active research program

Mentoring undergraduates

Diversity commitment

Department/university service

APA style writing across curriculum

Interview/teaching demo presentation

Education

Ph.D. in Psychology

Job description

Psychology Assistant Professor | Tenure Track Fall 2027| I02580

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Required documents include a cover letter addressing how job qualifications and requirements of the position are met, including a statement that describes how the applicant’s teaching, research, and/or service have or will demonstrate a commitment to diverse populations; curriculum vitae; teaching philosophy, including, if available, evidence of teaching effectiveness; unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Up to three selected reprints/preprints may be uploaded using the “Other Documents” tab. Applicants must provide contact information for three professional references.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 12th, 2026 . Official transcripts are required for employment.

Recommended candidates will be required to complete criminal background checks, including Act 34 Background Check and Act 151 (Child Abuse) Background Check and Federal Criminal (FBI) clearance prior to appointment.

Position Summary

The Psychology Program is seeking applicants for a full-time tenure-track position beginning August 2027 at the rank of Assistant Professor. The Psychology program, within the Department of Psychology, Social Work, & Recreational Therapy, is strategically located in the College of Health Professions, which offers an excellent education for students seeking to enter the health and/or mental health fields. Our mission includes providing high-quality undergraduate education, leading to diverse post-graduate and career pathways. Psychology offers ten different major programs, including pre-counseling, developmental, neuroscience, pre-physician assistant, pre-occupational therapy, and others as well as general tracks, enabling students to focus on areas of interest and refine their goals. We seek to engage students in interdisciplinary research and provide leadership opportunities to enable them to develop their skills. Diversity is strongly valued within the department, college, and university, and we strive to create an inclusive environment for all individuals. Both the university and psychology program offer a thriving campus environment and focus primarily on face-to-face classes and co-curricular experiences for students.

Slippery Rock University is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is strongly positioned for future growth. As an institution with a unionized faculty ( APSCUF ), faculty benefit from union-negotiated annual step and cost of living salary increases, and excellent health care, dental, vision, retirement, and family benefits, as well as full tuition waivers for faculty and their immediate family members. Details of the current APSCUF Contract are available here and PASSHE employee benefits are available for review here. Tenure and promotion processes are transparent and structured within the APSCUF contract, and promotion leads to automatic salary increases. The full-time tenure-track position is for a 9-month contract, with opportunities for optional summer and winter teaching. Competitive internal grant opportunities, travel reimbursement for professional conferences, and professional development support are also widely available.

The applicant will have a 4/4 teaching load of undergraduate courses. Assigned courses may include Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Statistical Applications, Cognitive Psychology, Sensation & Perception, Research Capstone, and upper-division courses in biological psychology. Faculty members are encouraged to align their teaching, research, and service activities commensurate with their interests and professional goals. There are a multitude of opportunities to create interdisciplinary communities and partnerships in the program and department, at the college and university levels, and within the larger community.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology .Candidates who will attain their PhD prior to the start of the Fall 2027 semester will be considered and are encouraged to apply. Ph.D. must be completed by August 22, 2027.
• The candidate must demonstrate the ability to establish an active research program and a commitment to mentoring undergraduate students in research
• The candidate must provide evidence of a commitment to advising undergraduate students.
• The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to educating diverse student populations.
• The candidate must demonstrate a dedication to departmental and university service.
• The candidate must have experience with and/or demonstrate a commitment to implementing APA -style writing across the curriculum.
• The candidate must successfully complete an on-campus interview, research presentation, and teaching demonstration on a topic selected by the search committee.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate evidence of university-level teaching experience especially for face-to-face classes and/or formal training in higher education teaching.
• The candidate should demonstrate evidence of experience teaching Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Statistical Applications, Cognitive Psychology, Sensation & Perception, Research Capstone, and upper-division courses in biological psychology.
• Area of focus and specialization is open, but those with graduate-level emphasis on training in behavioral neuroscience/biological psychology/neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and/or developmental psychology are of particular interest to the program

Open Until Filled Yes

Respect for Individuals in the Community

Slippery Rock University provides an environment that respects, encourages, and promotes the talents and contributions of all. Slippery Rock University values a community with a shared sense of purpose, where people demonstrate mutual respect and appreciation. Slippery Rock University values diversity that honors and includes all persons regardless of age, creed, disability, ethnic heritage, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status in academic and extracurricular endeavor, in the working environment, and in the daily life of the university community.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, or veteran status in its programs or activities in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
008 Old Main Building
104 Maltby Avenue
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
724.738.2016

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required documents include a cover letter addressing how job qualifications and requirements of the position are met, including a statement that describes how the applicant’s teaching, research, and/or service have or will demonstrate a commitment to diverse populations; curriculum vitae; teaching philosophy, including, if available, evidence of teaching effectiveness; unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Up to three selected reprints/preprints may be uploaded using the “Other Documents” tab. Applicants must provide contact information for three professional references.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 12th, 2026 . Official transcripts are required for employment.

Recommended candidates will be required to complete criminal background checks, including Act 34 Background Check and Act 151 (Child Abuse) Background Check and Federal Criminal (FBI) clearance prior to appointment.

Posting Specific Questions

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Unofficial Transcripts 2

Optional Documents

• Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness (e.g. peer reviews, student evaluations, honors and awards, etc.)
• Unofficial Transcripts 3
• Other Document
• Research Philosophy
• Research Plan