Assistant Professor of Psychology, Tenure Track, Behavioral Neuroscience (Multiple Positions)
- Employer
- Western Washington University Psychology Department (Behavioral Neuroscience Program)
- Location
- Bellingham, Washington State
- Salary
- $69,000 - $71,500
- Closing date
- Nov 1, 2023
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- Sector
- Graduate School or University, Undergraduate College
- Job Function
- Faculty Member
- Position Type
- Full Time
- Level
- Any Experience Level Considered
About the University
Western Washington University is a comprehensive primarily undergraduate state university, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and a graduate school. WWU is in Bellingham, Washington, a scenic coastal city located 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles south of Vancouver, B.C. The 224-acre campus overlooks Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. With easy access to both the Cascade Mountain range and the Pacific coast, the region is rich in cultural events and attractions as well as many recreational activities. Western is known nationally for its successes, including being named the top public master’s granting university in the Pacific Northwest by U.S. News and World Report and one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The United Faculty of Western Washington (https://www.ufww.org) serves as the bargaining unit for all faculty members. Faculty scholarship is supported by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs https://rsp.wwu.edu and Scientific Technical Services https://scitech.wwu.edu. Faculty development is supported by the New Faculty Mentoring Program https://avpaa.wwu.edu/new-faculty-mentoring-program.
About the Department
The Department of Psychology includes 32 tenure and tenure-track faculty. The department offers undergraduate majors in Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) and Psychology, and masters-level graduate programs in Experimental Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling (for additional information, visit http://www.wwu.edu/psychology). The BNS Program (http://www.wwu.edu/neuroscience, https://wp.wwu.edu/bnsprogram) consists of four tenure-track faculty in the Psychology Department. Current methodologies utilized by this team include experimental analysis of animal behavior, brain slice electrophysiology, confocal microscopy, molecular assays, and human EEG and TMS. Faculty collaborate with colleagues in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science. BNS Program laboratories are in the Academic Instructional Center, complete with state-of-the-art neuroscience research and teaching facilities, a rodent vivarium, and animal and classroom support technicians.
The BNS Program strives to support the WWU Strategic Plan that “sees equity, justice, inclusion, and diversity as fundamental principles calling for authentic engagement” (https://provost.wwu.edu/strategic-plan-2018-2025). Last year, 70% of students enrolled in the BNS Major identified as female and 24% as students of color. As part of supporting students of increasing diversity at WWU, the BNS program hosted the national Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience workshop this past summer where the theme was “Reimagining Undergraduate Neuroscience Education” with emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in Neuroscience.
About the Position
The Department of Psychology at WWU invites applications for two tenure-track assistant professor positions in Behavioral Neuroscience to begin September 2024. The preferred research expertise for position 1 is molecular neuroscience. The research expertise preferred for position 2 is electrophysiological, computational, and/or behavioral neuroscience methodologies. Ideally a candidate’s research program will complement existing research programs in addiction, cannabinoid pharmacology, mechanisms of learning and memory, and cognitive neuroscience. Applicants must be committed to establishing an active behavioral neuroscience teaching and research program involving undergraduate Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology majors and potentially master’s-level students. WWU is especially interested in candidates who have demonstrated commitment to the diversity, equity, and inclusion of their academic community through their research and teaching.
Position Responsibilities:
- Teach lecture- and laboratory-based undergraduate courses. Depending on expertise, courses may include an introductory behavioral neuroscience course, a techniques in behavioral neuroscience lab course, a course in cellular and molecular neuroscience, and research methods and statistics courses; some courses serve both Psychology and BNS majors Maintain an active neuroscience research program Mentor students in research Serve as an academic advisor for Behavioral Neuroscience majors
Required Qualifications
- PhD in neuroscience or related discipline at time of application. Postdoctoral experience in neuroscience or a related discipline may substitute in the case of candidates with PhD in a non-related discipline. Evidence of potential for successful undergraduate teaching in the existing WWU behavioral neuroscience curriculum Active high-quality research program with potential to be successful at WWU A publication record commensurate with experience Potential to mentor undergraduate students in research Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds through teaching, research, and mentorship
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience teaching undergraduate neuroscience courses Position 1: expertise in molecular neuroscience methodologies Position 2: expertise in electrophysiological, computational, and/or behavioral neuroscience methodologies Ability and interest in collaborating with existing research programs on campus Potential for acquiring external research funding
Conditions of Employment
All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary
The starting salary range for an assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $69,000 - $71,500, with placement within the position’s salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $69,000 - $80,500, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained faculty union salary adjustments. This is a 9-month academic year appointment. WWU offers an excellent benefits package. Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.
Benefits Information
Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions
Bargaining Unit
United Faculty of Western Washington
Application Instructions
Please submit your application to Dr. Jeffrey Grimm (search chair) and the search committee through Western’s PageUp system (https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty). Include a cover letter that addresses your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. In addition to the cover letter, the application should include:
- a curriculum vitae
- copies of up to 3 representative publications
and (1-page single spaced maximum for each):
- a statement of teaching philosophy
- a statement of research interests that describes your program of research including how it would include undergraduate research assistants at WWU
- a statement of your plans to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at WWU including how these plans overlap with your teaching philosophy and research program (it is suggested an applicant consider https://ofew.berkeley.edu/guidelines-applicants-writing-statements)
As part of the online application, you will be asked to provide contact information for three references. Please do not submit letters of recommendation; these will only be required for semi-finalists, and will be automatically requested from the provided references via Western’s PageUp electronic application system.
Questions/inquiries may be directed to Dr. Jeffrey Grimm (grimmj@wwu.edu), Behavioral Neuroscience Search Committee Chair.
Closing Date Notes
Review of completed applications will begin on October 30th, 2023 and continue until the positions are filled.
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu
WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.
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