Assistant Professor of Psychology - Washington & Jefferson College

The Psychology Department at Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position with specialty area open. Applicants should possess or be close to completing a doctorate degree. The position begins July 1, 2025. For a more experienced candidate, a shortened tenure clock may be possible.

The Psychology Department participates in a wide range of interdisciplinary programs including Neuroscience, Human Resource Management, Gender and Women's Studies, Forensic Science, Conflict and Resolution Studies, Child Development and Education, and Nursing. Our teaching generally takes an interdisciplinary approach to the mind, brain, or human experience, with an emphasis on empirical methods.

In addition to teaching introductory psychology courses, and upper level courses in their area of specialty, the successful candidates will be expected to offer a capstone research laboratory experience and participate in the rotation of teaching a research methods course. The successful candidate also will have opportunities to develop courses around interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary interests and to contribute to the First Year Seminar program and other interdisciplinary programs at the college.

Over time, the successful candidate will actively engage in academic advising, service, and departmental citizenship as we work together to advance the college's mission. However, we value the time, effort, and energy it will take to adjust to campus and the tenure-track role. We protect our first-year faculty's time by requiring no advising duties nor committee work during your first year here. In addition, we have been successful at having only a single new course preparation a semester for first year faculty. We also share our course syllabi, activities, and materials as you develop your courses. Teaching, like other skills, can always be improved, which is why we include peer observations as part of our mentoring process for new faculty members. In addition to offering constructive feedback to the faculty member being observed, the observer inevitably discovers at least one new idea to try in their own classes. We grow in our teaching through collaboration and idea-sharing, and we will ensure that you are well supported to succeed in teaching our increasingly diverse undergraduate student population.

Our community matters here. That is why all first-year faculty are paired with a faculty mentor external to the department, so that you can both meet more of our wonderful colleagues and expand your community from day one. We value the interdisciplinary aspect that comes with a liberal arts education; learning the perspectives and experiences from your colleagues in other departments can only serve to make you a better professor.

We have some start-up grant availability and lab space to continue your research and scholarly activity that involve the hands-on inclusion of undergraduate students. Opportunities to include undergraduate students in your research is rewarded through guided research courses (PSY-315). Whether your work is theoretical, basic or applied science, critical or mainstream, whether you publish in academic journals or software packages, we value the diversity of scholarship within our faculty, and will work to reward all of your labor. There are a multitude of ways to excel as a professor here at W&J, and the process of research is just as important as the product of said research.

At Washington & Jefferson College, we are constantly working to ensure that diversity and inclusion are valued and acknowledged on our campus. Our most recent strategic plan (2021-2026) includes the priority of becoming a more welcoming, inclusive, and visibly diverse community each year, and we welcome applications from candidates who would help us fulfill this goal.

We are seeking a colleague who shares our commitment to diversity and who brings their own perspective to our collective efforts to teach and mentor young people from a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Pursuant to the College's vision for cultivating an inclusive community, the search committee asks all applicants to address in their teaching statement how their past and/or potential contributions might serve to build W&J's commitment to teaching and mentoring our growing diverse population; how their experience and interests blends with interdisciplinary areas of study; and the type of course(s) they might teach as a first-year seminar to help introduce students to the liberal arts.

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit a cover letter addressing specifically how their experiences/qualifications meet the job description, CV, a teaching statement and evidence of teaching excellence such as peer and student evaluations, a sample syllabus, and contact information for three references to https://washjeff.applicantpro.com/jobs/. It is recommended that all documents be in PDF format and uploaded at one time. To upload more than one document on the application, please choose file then upload files until all documents are showing in the submitted documents area. Any questions about uploading documents may be directed to humanresources@washjeff.edu. Questions regarding the position should be addressed to Professor Elizabeth Bennett at ebennett@washjeff.edu. Review of application materials will begin October 28, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

Employee Benefits

Washington & Jefferson College offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees; including health, vision, and dental coverage, group life insurance, AD&D and LTD coverage, retirement plan, generous leave time, and the tuition benefit programs. These benefits add significantly to the employee's total compensation package.

Getting to Know W&J

Washington & Jefferson College, the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains, is consistently ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the United States. Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, the college is home to a diverse population of approximately 1,200 students from 26 states and 11 countries. Washington & Jefferson College is the best of both worlds: a small-town college setting in historic Washington, Pa., with easy access to the bustling business and cultural districts of nearby Pittsburgh, Pa. just 30 miles to the north. Pittsburgh is a vibrant city consistently ranked as among the best cities in which to live and one that boasts an excellent food culture, nationally-recognized museums and performing arts organizations, major league sports franchises, and thriving medical and high-tech industries.

Our dedicated, experienced professors are passionate about teaching and work closely with our students to ensure that they receive a quality, comprehensive education. For more than 200 years, our alumni have influenced change in business, politics, medicine, and the arts and sciences as CEOs, lawyers, doctors, researchers, writers, teachers, and in many other equally worthy professions.

Celebrating Diversity

Washington & Jefferson College welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs who wish to participate in a diverse educational community. The College strives to be a place where all students, faculty, administrators, and employees are able to live, study, and work in an atmosphere free from bias and harassment. The College encourages civil debate and lively exchange of ideas in the belief that such exchanges promote understanding that will grow beyond simple tolerance of difference to embracing and celebrating the richness of diversity. Our graduates acquire knowledge and learn skills that help them thrive in a culturally diverse world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Washington and Jefferson College (W&J) is committed to increasing diversity in our community and actively pursues individuals from all backgrounds. Additionally, W&J College complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational program's activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender identity, or national origin.

Women, individuals with a minority identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.