Tenure-Track Assistant Professor

The Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University (Houston, Texas) invites applications for two (2) tenure-track assistant professor positions to begin July 1, 2024.

Position #1 is in an APPLIED area of psychological sciences with a focus on the application of theory and research to address society’s greatest challenges. We seek candidates whose quantitative-based scholarship deeply bridges across at least two of our existing program areas in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Human Factors/Human Computer Interaction, Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience, and Health Psychology. Example topics might include (but are NOT limited to): occupational health or workplace stress/safety/macroergonomics, automation/AI applied to the future of work, training for an aging and diverse workforce, team effectiveness in health care, assistive devices for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, augmented cognition/intelligence, neurofeedback interventions for cognition and mental health, organizational neuroscience, neuroergonomics, mental health implications of remote work/social media, accessibility/usability of healthcare technologies in underrepresented populations, and human-technology systems in organizations and safety-critical industries.

Position #2 is in the area of QUANTITIVE METHODS and is part of a cluster hire across the School of Social Sciences. The specialty area is completely open, but priority will be given to candidates who will enhance research within the department, teaching within the graduate curriculum, and social sciences scholarship across the school. Examples of topics areas include (but are NOT limited to): models for inference (e.g., SEM/CFA, Bayesian modeling, linear mixed effects), data mining (machine learning, network analysis, generative models), and simulations (e.g., agent based modeling, computational modeling of psychological processes). The hire will work with scholars within our four departmental areas listed above, and will interact with other scholars in the School of Social Sciences more broadly.

Both positions require a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline conferred by July 1, 2024, and job duties entail conducting a productive and exceptional research program with potential to secure external funding, teaching undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and providing service to the field, the department, and the university.

The Department of Psychological Sciences trains doctoral students in human-computer interaction and human factors (fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society); cognitive and affective neuroscience; health psychology; and industrial-organizational psychology. In the most recent rankings of the U.S. News and World Report (2022), our industrial-organizational psychology program was ranked #1 in Best Industrial and Organizational Psychology Programs. The Department also offers professional Master’s programs in both human-computer interactions and human factors, and industrial-organizational psychology.

The successful candidate will be associated with one or more of our program areas and will join a highly collegial department of internationally recognized faculty in an environment that nurtures research and scholarship, with many opportunities for collaboration within the department, across the university, and with the adjacent Texas Medical Center and greater Houston, Texas area. For more details about our department, see https://psychology.rice.edu/. 

Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic Museum District. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students. Rice consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 25 of U.S. universities. In 2023, the Department of Psychological Sciences was ranked 5th in Best Colleges for Psychology in America by Niche. Houston has been characterized as the most diverse city in America.

We encourage everyone to apply, especially those individuals who have been historically underrepresented in academia: people of color, LGBTQI+ people, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and people of any age or family status. We actively strive to counter prejudice and to create a working environment that is inclusive and equitable.

For full consideration, applications should be received by October 1, 2023. Review will continue until the two positions are filled. For details, please refer to the job announcements at the links below.

-        Applied Area of Psychological Sciences: https://apply.interfolio.com/130689 

-        Quantitative Methods: https://apply.interfolio.com/130646

Applicants should use the application portals above to provide (1) cover letter, (2) vita, (3) research statement (3 pages max), (4) teaching statement including evidence of teaching effectiveness and courses you could teach at both the graduate and undergraduate level (2 pages max), (5) a description of how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at Rice through your teaching, research, and/or service (2 page max), (6) three representative reprints, and (7) three letters of recommendation, (8) REQUIRED FOR THE APPLIED POSITION ONLY: description including evidence of how your research bridges across at least two of our program areas, and how it is embedded within an applied area of psychological sciences (1 page max). 

Equal Employment Opportunity
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. Rice University Standard of Civility: Serves as a representative of the University, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Rice community and with the public.