ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Classification Title:

Assistant Professor

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Applicants will have a doctorate degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a closely related field by the start date of the position, August 16, 2027.

Job Description:

The Department of PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-accruing Assistant Professor in the field of Developmental Science. The specific area of research is open but should focus on developmental research in both brain and behavior that complements and expands existing strengths in the department and the university at large, including the development of cognition, perception, attention, memory, language, decision making, emotion, and/or social functioning. Priority will be given to candidates with research expertise in children from early childhood through middle childhood. Research and training in our developmental psychology program encompasses the lifespan; hence, we will also consider candidates whose expertise spans multiple life stages, including childhood. Applicants should have an outstanding record of research achievement and a commitment to undergraduate and graduate instruction in developmental psychology and neuroscience. The successful candidate will be expected to (1) maintain a program of research with high potential for external funding, (2) teach graduate and undergraduate courses in developmental psychology, (3) mentor students, and (4) provide service to the institution and academy.

The Psychology Department offers doctoral programs in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, behavior analysis, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology. We currently have 44 full-time faculty, ~ 100 PhD students, and > 2,000 undergraduate majors.

About the University of Florida

A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Florida is the state’s oldest and most comprehensive land-, sea-, and space-grant university, with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. For 2026, the University of Florida was ranked the seventh-best public university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, with exceptional research, teaching, and a university-wide commitment to open intellectual discourse.

UF is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF’s large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support a range of activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs, including magnet schools and an International Baccalaureate program. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.

The Department of Psychology is committed to promoting an environment that welcomes all abilities, classes, ethnicities/races, religions, gender identities and expressions, etc. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants will have a doctorate degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a closely related field by the start date of the position, August 16, 2027.

Preferred:

Candidates with post-doctoral experience will be prioritized.

Candidates with evidence of methodological expertise in human neuroscience or modeling/AI will be prioritized.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online at [insert link].

A complete application includes:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research Statement
• Statement of teaching experience, interests, and philosophy
• Three letters of recommendation.

Please provide the names and email addresses of three references and the application system will automatically request letters at the time of application submission.

Review of applications will begin on October 15th, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to search committee co-chairs Lisa Scott (lscott@ufl.edu) and Natalie Ebner (natalie.ebner@ufl.edu). Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening, which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

Health Assessment Required:

No.