Position Title: Assistant Professor in Psychology Appointment Type: Faculty Job Description: The Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in cognitive psychology. We welcome applicants with a record of research excellence in cognitive psychology and related disciplines. We are particularly interested in candidates who would bring a distinct area of expertise beyond the cognitive psychology program’s existing strengths in learning and long-term memory, spatial cognition, legal psychology, and judgment and decision making. Areas of particular interest include attention, perception, working memory, cognitive control, psycholinguistics, and quantitative modeling, although other areas that add breadth will also be considered. We also welcome applied work that advances understanding of cognitive processes in real-world contexts.
Responsibilities
include establishing and maintaining an active program of research, pursuing external funding, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in cognitive psychology, mentoring undergraduate students, providing doctoral training in cognitive psychology, and contributing service to the department, college, university, and profession. The start date for the position is August 16, 2027. Required Minimum
Qualifications
PhD in psychology or a closely related field, conferred by the start date of the appointment
Preferred Qualifications
Record of excellence in research/scholarship in cognitive psychology using behavioral methods Evidence of or potential for securing external research support Research expertise in cognitive psychology that adds breadth beyond the program’s existing strengths in learning and long-term memory, spatial cognition, legal psychology, and judgment and decision making Evidence of or potential for effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring Department/Program & College Description: The psychology department at Iowa State University offers thriving Ph.D. programs in social, cognitive, and counseling psychology and is home to the largest number of undergraduate majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Consistent with the university’s land-grant mission, our research builds psychological theory through empirical investigations and applies scientific findings to benefit individuals, communities, and society. With outstanding doctoral students, extensive support for research and grant writing, and a research-friendly teaching load (standard teaching load is 3 scheduled courses per year), Iowa State provides an ideal environment for professional growth and academic success. Our department is highly collegial, supportive, and collaborative. The cognitive psychology doctoral program has existing strengths in learning and memory, spatial cognition and navigation, and judgment and decision making, with applications in areas including AI, education, virtual environments, and legal psychology. Faculty and students have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration through programs and initiatives in human-computer interaction, neuroscience, statistics, gerontology, and psychology and law. Iowa State University is located in Ames, a vibrant community of approximately 66,000 in central Iowa, about 30 miles north of Des Moines. Ames offers extensive parks and trails, strong public schools, a comparatively low cost of living, and convenient access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of the state’s largest metropolitan area. More information about the university and city can be found here: https://www.provost.iastate.edu/faculty-success/prospective. Department Unit/Website: https://psychology.iastate.edu/ Proposed Start Date: August 16, 2027 Number of Months Employed Per Year: 09 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Application Instructions: To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Letter of Application/Cover Letter 2) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 3) Statement of Research Interests 4) Statement of Teaching Interests and/or Philosophy 5) Contact information for three references To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by September 21, 2026, but will be accepted until the position is filled. For questions, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Jason Chan, at ckchan@iastate.edu Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program Original Posting Date: August 4, 2026 Posting Close Date: Job Requisition Number: R19700 Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications. Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub. By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.