Recruit

The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position in Computational Cognitive (Neuro)Science. We seek applicants who primarily identify as a cognitive scientist whose research integrates the strengths of one or more of the department areas. Example topics include computational approaches to understanding memory, affect, decision making, action, attention, or perception. We welcome candidates who examine these domains as they relate to higher cognitive functions (e.g., representations, categories, concepts) and complex real-world behaviors (e.g., language, music). Candidates who use theoretically-motivated computational modeling to understand development and change (e.g., across the lifespan) or individual differences, especially as a function of cultural background or context, are of particular interest.

As one of the country’s leading research institutions, and an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, UC Davis seeks candidates with exceptional potential for research, teaching, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the barriers preventing full participation of members from student communities historically excluded from higher education, including (but not limited to) individuals marginalized due to their race or ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ status, veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged groups, first-generation scholars, and undocumented students. In addition to being exceptional scholars, successful candidates will help advance UC Davis’ goal of improving access and building an inclusive community for all marginalized communities. The successful candidate will also have a track record (calibrated to career stage) of teaching, research, or service activities addressing the needs of individuals historically excluded from higher education, and a clear vision of how their work at UC Davis will contribute to the University’s mission of serving the needs of our diverse state and student population.

Applicants are required to submit a research statement describing their research to date and future research goals, and a contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) statement describing (a) their track record of engagement and activity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as (b) their plans for future engagement (see https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/guidelines-writing-diversity-statement for guidance and information about the university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion). The DEI statement will be carefully read as a standalone document and should, therefore, include all relevant information related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, even if aspects are also discussed in other submitted materials.

The first round of review will focus exclusively on the research statement and the DEI statement. We will anonymize both statements to reduce potential for bias based on an applicant’s identity, including their mentor(s) and university affiliations. In addition, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement describing their experience as well as perspectives and practices related to effective teaching, up to three representative publications (or preprints), and names and contact information for at least three individuals who
may be asked to submit letters of recommendation. All application materials should be submitted electronically at: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05981.

The start date for this position is July 1, 2024. The position will remain open until filled. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2023 for full consideration. Applications submitted after this date may not be considered. If you have any questions about the search or position, feel free to contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Petr Janata (pjanata@ucdavis.edu), or any member of the search committee: Dr. Erie Boorman (edboorman@ucdavis.edu), Dr. Joy Geng (jgeng@ucdavis.edu), Dr. Andrew Fox (dfox@ucdavis.edu), Dr. Lindsay Bowman (lcbowman@ucdavis.edu), Dr. Jingwen Zhang (jwzzhang@ucdavis.edu), or Yicong (Alan) Zheng (yiczheng@ucdavis.edu) .

The department and UC Davis are committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples and single parents. We are also interested in candidates who have had non-traditional career paths, who have taken time off for family reasons, or who have achieved excellence in careers outside academia. For information about benefits, potential relocation to Davis, career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, and other resources for new faculty, please visit: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/new-faculty.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first-choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for assistant professor to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for Academic Senate Assistant Professor or Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6, or Acting Professor of Law positions will be subject to reference checks.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.