PSYCHOLOGY & CHILD DEVELOPMENT 

The Psychology and Child Development Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, seeks applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor in cognitive neuroscience with expertise in the neural basis of human cognition, to begin August 17, 2026. Specific area of specialization is open. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Candidates for this position must have a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, or related field, completed by the time of hire and demonstrated experience. Specific area of specialization is open, including but not limited to research areas such as: language, decision-making, computational/quantitative neuroscience, developmental cognitive neuroscience, collective memory and racial trauma, and social cognitive neuroscience. Candidates should have strong experience with neuroscientific methods (e.g., neuroimaging, neuromodulation, etc.) and must be able to conduct their research at a primarily undergraduate institution.

Candidates must show a strong commitment to teaching excellence and provide evidence of professional activity that keeps them abreast of knowledge and developments within their discipline. In particular, we seek someone who could teach some of the following undergraduate-level courses: Cognition, Memory, Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioral Effects of Psychoactive Drugs, Sensation and Perception, and/or Research Methods. New courses within the candidate’s area of specialization may also be proposed. 

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units per semester, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development.

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.  

Salary:  Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 - $98,244/year, $7,523 - $8,187/month 
(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Required Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience or a related field by the time of appointment (August 17, 2026). 
• Evidence of potential for scholarly achievement in candidate’s area of specialization. 
• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• A commitment to broadening the scope of psychology to include traditionally underrepresented groups, as demonstrated through research, service, mentorship, and/or course content.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment. 
• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.

Special Conditions 

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought. 

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community. 

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community. 

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. 

About the Department 

The successful candidate will join 24 tenure-track faculty, over 20 part-time lecturers, 650 undergraduate students and 30 masters students in Psychology and Child Development. The department's website is http://psycd.calpoly.edu.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #550661. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

• Current curriculum vitae  
• Cover Letter - In the cover letter, the applicant should also address the feasibility of conducting a research program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program   
• Teaching Statement / Teaching Philosophy  
• Research Plan  
• Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned, official transcripts showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment  
• Writing sample indicative of area of scholarship

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. 

Projected Start Date: August 17, 2026

Review Begin Date: 10-01-2025. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.  

For questions about the position please contact Dr. Laura Cacciamani via email at lcacciam@calpoly.edu