Assistant Professor of Psychology (Biopsychology/Social and/or Developmental Neuroscience)

The Department of Psychology at Shawnee State University (SSU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Psychology.

We seek a psychologist with expertise in either Biopsychology, Physiological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a closely related field.

The anticipated start date is either January 2027 or August 2027

Shawnee State University is a student-centered public university located in Portsmouth, Ohio, a small community along the Ohio River. We serve a student population that includes many first-generation college students. At SSU, faculty can make a meaningful difference through excellent teaching, mentorship, and campus/community engagement.

We seek a colleague who is committed to undergraduate education, excited to work with students, and able to teach effectively in both face-to-face and online formats.

The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to the campus community.

Areas of Expertise

Primary expertise should be in Biopsychology / Physiological Psychology ora closely related area. Related fields may include:

Behavioral Neuroscience / Biological Psychology

Cognitive Neuroscience / Affective Neuroscience

Experimental Psychology with a neuroscience or brain-behavior emphasis

Sensation and Perception

Learning and Memory with a neuroscience emphasis

Neuropsychology with a non-clinical or experimental emphasis

Comparative, evolutionary, or biological approaches to brain and behavior

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, advising, scholarship, curriculum development, and service.

Teaching
The position requires a 4/4 undergraduate course load, with four courses each fall and spring semester. The department values candidates who can teach broadly across the psychology curriculum.

Priority teaching areas include:

PSYC 3150 Neurobiology of Behavior

PSYC 3151 Sensation and Perception

PSYC 3152 Cognitive Neuroscience

PSYC 4150 Physiology of Behavior (course with lab)

PSYC 4151 Evolutionary Psychology

The ability to teach core courses such as statistics, research methods or other departmental needs is also valued.

Curriculum Development
Help maintain and strengthen the department’s offerings in biopsychology, neuroscience, and related areas. Contribute to a reliable rotation of upper-division courses that supports student progress toward graduation.

Student Mentorship and Advising
Advise and mentor undergraduate students, including first-generation students and students from diverse educational backgrounds. Support students as they develop career plans, research interests, and professional skills.

Scholarly Engagement
Engage in research, applied scholarship, or professional activity appropriate to the discipline and institutional mission. Student involvement in scholarly work is highly encouraged.

Service and Campus Engagement
Participate in department, college, and university service. The department values candidates who are willing to be present, active, collegial members of the campus community.

Application Process
The search committee will begin reviewing applications after the job has been posted for at least 3 weeks and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please submit the following materials through the university’s online application system:
1. Cover Letter Addressed to Dean, College of Arts & Sciences. The letter should describe how your qualifications, teaching interests/experiences, and professional goals fit the position, with particular attention to your commitment to undergraduate instruction and the campus community.
2. Curriculum Vitae Current and comprehensive.
3. Teaching Philosophy Statement A 1–2 page statement describing your approach to teaching, student engagement, and mentoring.
4. Unofficial Transcripts Graduate coursework representing the highest degree attained. Official transcripts will be required upon hire.
5. References Contact information for three professional references who can speak to your qualifications. 

Candidates invited for an interview will be required to present a teaching sample, such as a lecture, to demonstrate instructional effectiveness.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to: Dr. Rhoni Maxwell-Rader, Psychology Program Coordinator, at Rmaxwellrader@shawnee.edu.

Shawnee State University is the regional state university for South-Central Ohio. It is a primarily undergraduate, four-year public university with limited graduate degree programs. Enrollment is approximately 3,500 students. Shawnee State is located on the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Ohio – a small city nestled in a beautiful, rural area of Southern Ohio. Portsmouth is approximately an hour drive from Huntington, WV, and two hours from Columbus or Cincinnati, Ohio. Additional information about SSU is available at www.shawnee.edu.

Shawnee State offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience and qualifications) including an attractive benefits package (see Overview of Employee Benefits for more information). Employment with the University is dependent upon BOT budget approval for the fiscal year. Official transcripts and a background check are required prior to hire. 

SSU seeks individuals who share our commitment to students as our first priority.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment. Our institution prepares students to engage with diverse people, perspectives, and communities. We value the differences, similarities, and unique contributions of individuals. We strive to model diversity and inclusion in our campus community.

Shawnee State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against any individual because of race, color, genetic information, religion, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or military status.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications:

(Preferred) A doctorate, Ph.D. or equivalent, in Biopsychology, Physiological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental Psychology, or a closely related field by the start date;

or

ABD status in one of the listed or closely related fields, with a documented pathway to degree completion within one year of hire;

or

A master’s degree in a listed or closely related field with at least three years of full-time college-level teaching experience or five years of relevant professional experience in a neuroscience, biopsychology, or brain-behavior related role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. College-level teaching experience.
2. Strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, advising, and mentorship.
3. Ability to teach a variety of psychology courses, including courses outside the candidate’s primary specialization.
4. Ability to teach effectively in both face-to-face and online formats.
5. Effective use of current instructional technology to engage students and support learning
6. Interest in supporting first-generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds.
7. Commitment to active participation in the department, campus, and/or local community.
8. Interest in involving undergraduate students in research, applied projects, or scholarly activity.
9. Ability to engage students, both attracting and retaining students within the psychology program.