Assistant Professor Position, Social Psychology
Assistant Professor Position, Social Psychology
Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park
The Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Social Psychology. We seek to hire an outstanding social psychologist whose work would meaningfully expand the expertise within the Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences area and the Psychology Department more broadly, address contemporary social problems, and contribute to our emerging interdisciplinary focus on resilience, broadly defined as adaptation to challenging circumstances. We are particularly interested in applicants who take a social psychological perspective to study domestic terrorism, hate crimes, gun violence, political psychology, political polarization, environmental behavior, or responses to climate change, although applicants who study other social issues will also be considered. We seek applicants with a strong research program in social psychology, a commitment to excellent mentoring and teaching, and the potential to attract extramural grant funding. This position is part of a larger University- and College-wide effort to address grand challenges of our time and build strength in the broad areas of societal resilience. We anticipate the proposed hire will connect with the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Resilience Hub (https://bsos.umd.edu/academics-research/bsos-faculty-forefront), a collaborative and interdisciplinary network of UMD scholars whose research interests focus on the ability of persons or places to prevent or recover from adverse stimuli.
Qualifications: A primary qualification for this position is demonstrated excellence in scholarship and teaching, including a record of publishing in peer-reviewed outlets and the potential to attract extramural grant funding. A Ph.D. in psychology or related discipline is required at the time of appointment. Specialization in social psychology is strongly preferred, though candidates with training in closely related areas may be considered. Applicants with advanced quantitative skills (e.g., structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling, network analysis, machine learning, or item response theory) are also preferred.
We strongly encourage applications from women and members of minority groups (including, but not limited to, groups based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Diversity and inclusion are core values at the University of Maryland, and a strong candidate will demonstrate the ability to create inclusive classrooms and research mentoring environments in which a diverse array of students can learn and thrive. The Department also embraces the values of open and reproducible science, and candidates should address in their research statement how they have pursued and/or plan to pursue these goals in their work.
We seek candidates who are interested in teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduate and undergraduate teaching may include social psychology, social psychology laboratory, and specialized courses relevant to the candidate’s area of expertise. An interest in teaching research methods or quantitative methods is also desirable.
Faculty members may have the opportunity to collaborate within Psychology and with scholars in other units and groups at UMD, including the Department of Government and Politics, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Department of African American Studies, Department of Sociology, School of Public Health, Sociology, Smith School of Business, Social Data Science Center, and the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. In addition, collaboration opportunities abound within the greater DC area on topics of violence, political psychology, and environmental behavior. Located just seven miles from the heart of the nation’s capital, the University of Maryland is the flagship campus of the state’s higher education system and a top-ranked public research institution. It is located in the Washington DC-Baltimore region, with a wealth of cultural attractions and access to federal funding agencies and professional associations. Salaries are competitive.
Application materials should be submitted by Monday, October 2, 2023 through https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/110741and should include a cover letter, CV, statement of current and future research interests and research philosophy, a statement of teaching philosophy and experience (including evidence of teaching excellence, if available), a diversity statement, and contact information for three references. Reference writers will receive the request to submit a reference letter upon submission of the application. Applicants should provide up to three sample research manuscripts or journal articles in the Supplemental Document 1 field in eJobs.
For inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Edward Lemay (elemay@umd.edu).
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.