Academic Jobs in Ruston, LA (NOW HIRING)

Thank you for your interest in employment with Louisiana Tech University.
The Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Louisiana Tech University invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair to begin Fall 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track administrative position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The area of academic specialization is open.
The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership to a dynamic and growing department. Key responsibilities include managing departmental budgets and resources, fostering faculty and student development, overseeing curriculum and program assessment, promoting a collaborative and inclusive academic environment, and representing the department within the university and the broader community. The Chair will maintain a reduced teaching load and is expected to continue their program of research.
Qualifications and Requirements of the position include:

• A doctorate in Psychology or a closely related field.
• A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and service that merits appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Demonstrated administrative experience and effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to supporting a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Experience with budget management, strategic planning, and faculty mentorship is highly desired.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department's curriculum, research, and climate. Candidates will be evaluated on their leadership and administrative experience, the overall quality of their academic and scholarly work, their vision for the department, their commitment to high-quality student and faculty mentorship, and the strength of their recommendations.
Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:

• Current curriculum vitae
• A cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position
• A statement describing your leadership philosophy and administrative experience
• A statement of research interests and teaching philosophy
• Names and contact information for three to five professional references.

About the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
The Department is dynamic, future-oriented, and congenial, and it is poised for continued growth under new leadership. We currently offer a B.A. in Psychology, M.A. degrees in Counseling/Counseling Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Ph.D. degrees in Counseling Psychology (APA-accredited) and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We also have state approval for an MS in Cognitive Psychology with plans to start in the fall of 2026.
The Psychology undergraduate program is one of the most popular majors on campus, while our doctoral degrees represent a significant proportion of all doctoral-level graduate students in the University. The department provides experiential training for doctoral students through the Psychological Services Clinic and AROS, an I-O Psychology consulting group.
About Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech is a nationally recognized, selective-admissions research university with approximately 11,000 students. The university confers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. As a mid-size university, there are opportunities for collaboration and to engage in transdisciplinary initiatives throughout the campus. Louisiana Tech promotes an inclusive environment and is one of only 45 institutions named to the Aspire Institutional Change (iChange) network, which works to broaden participation for STEM faculty from underrepresented groups.
Louisiana Tech offers excellent benefits for faculty, including a fixed-benefit retirement plan and alternative retirement investment programs. Faculty members and their families receive a tuition discount at Louisiana Tech and other universities in our system. We value diversity and seek to foster it through a commitment to recruit, retain, and develop those from historically under-represented groups in academia.
Louisiana Tech is in Ruston and benefits from a mutually supportive town-and-gown relationship with the community. Located in North Louisiana, Ruston has a population of approximately 22,000 and is the seat of Lincoln Parish. It enjoys a college-town atmosphere, a flourishing arts community, and an attractive historic district offering restaurants and shopping. Ruston offers a family-friendly, welcoming community and a low cost of living. Lincoln Parish is home to a top-rated school district in the state. The lakes, state parks, and sports complexes around Ruston offer numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Ruston has an affordable housing market, with median home prices between $235,000 and $260,000. Louisiana Tech and Ruston are great places to work and live.
For questions concerning this position, please contact:
Dr. Tilman Sheets, Interim Department Head, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences: tilman@latech.edu.
Louisiana Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer and places a high priority on the creation of an environment supportive of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Posting Close Date: This position will remain open until filled.
Please Note: Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the Job Closing Date to ensure consideration.
Note to Applicant:
Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.
References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.
This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at the Louisiana Tech University may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.