Assistant Professor of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, to start August 6, 2023

Summary: The Psychology Department at Grand Valley State University seeks a full time, tenure track, Assistant Professor beginning Fall, 2023, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience. The position is defined broadly within neuroscience and behavior, but candidates with expertise in areas that will diversify the expertise in the department or complement existing research interests are especially encouraged to apply. We are seeking candidates who can involve undergraduates in their research program and are excited to collaborate.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• A Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field.
• ABD candidate will be considered for a two-year contract with provision that the Ph.D. must be completed by December 2024.
• Demonstrated potential for successful college-level teaching in Behavioral Neuroscience, Introductory Psychology, and Research Methods.
• Demonstrated potential for successful research. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Creativity and flexibility.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Examples include experience with inclusive pedagogies; commitment to mentoring students from under-represented demographics in the sciences; research relating to marginalized populations or social inequality; engagement with community-based social justice work; and other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship, and service.

Responsibilities: Duties each semester include a 9-credit hour teaching load, baseline scholarship and service, and a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship, and/or service depending on the candidate's interests and the department’s needs. The successful candidate will have access to shared laboratory facilities and equipment that include an animal facility suitable for small vertebrate animals, shared human subjects research space, and an undergraduate subject pool. The ideal candidate would have research and teaching interests with the potential to engage the West Michigan community.

Salary/Benefits

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit Benefits and Wellness - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

Department: The Psychology Department at Grand Valley State University represents a diverse and eclectic set of specialized interests within the discipline of psychology.  Across our 40 full-time faculty members, we seek to represent the discipline of psychology broadly.  In teaching, research, and service we value rigorous scientific and ethical reasoning, academic freedom, integrity, collaboration, and collegiality. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus, and in the community

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

Campus/University:  Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How to Apply: A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) teaching philosophy, (4) a statement of research interests, including relevant reprints/preprints, (5) a statement that describes ongoing and anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research/creative activity, and service, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body, (6) three letters of recommendation from professional references, and (7) graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply). Apply online at Open Positions - GVSU Jobs - Grand Valley State University and select “Apply now”. The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.  Email questions about the position to the search committee chair, Glenn Valdez, at valdezg@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline:  The review process will begin on December 1, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.