Entry Level Cognitive Psychology Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person’s dignity.

Basic Function

Under the direction of the Dean and Department Chair, the Assistant Professor is responsible for providing academic instruction to students for the assigned undergraduate courses. The Assistant Professor is to serve as an academic advisor to students; contribute to department and university activities; serve on faculty or university committees; engage in scholarly activities, and/or creative endeavors.

California Lutheran University invites applicants for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Psychology for our undergraduate program beginning in the fall of 2027. As a Hispanic Serving Institution ( HSI ), California Lutheran University seeks candidates with a demonstrated commitment to and success working in diverse, multi-cultural, and multi-racial communities. Cal Lutheran encourages applicants from all faiths and advocates for justice and fairness for all people. Cal Lutheran is an accredited, private, comprehensive university that engages students in critical inquiry and is dedicated to educating leaders for a global society.

This position exclusively serves the undergraduate program, which is separate from the graduate programs. Under the direction of the Dean and Department Chair, the Assistant Professor is responsible for providing academic instruction to students for the assigned undergraduate courses. The Assistant Professor is also to serve as an academic advisor to students; contribute to department and university activities; serve on faculty or university committees; engage in scholarly activities, and/or creative endeavors.

Applicants should be strong in teaching statistics, research methods, and courses in at least one of the following areas of psychology: Cognitive, Experimental, Clinical, or Counseling.

Faculty are also expected to maintain an active research program that engages undergraduate students. The specific area of research expertise is open, but preference will be given to candidates who expand the disciplinary scope of our department’s faculty.

Additionally, the successful candidate for this position must demonstrate outstanding commitment to working with a diverse undergraduate student population, using innovative and culturally inclusive approaches to teaching, undergraduate research mentoring, and advising.

Representative Duties

• Primary responsibilities for this position include teaching courses in our department’s robust Statistics and Research Methods course-sequence, in addition to courses in the area of either: Cognitive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Clinical/Counseling Psychology.
• Create creative assignments and activities in one-on-one and classroom instructional settings to foster hands-on, active learning in students that will develop their expertise in the subject matter.
• Create assignments and activities in one-on-one, classroom, and distance mediated instructional settings for development of cognitive abilities, communication skills, and higher order thinking skills among students.
• Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments, projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback in a timely manner to student inquiries in class, online, or during established consultation office hours.
• Teach and hold office hours in person on campus, at least 4 days per week.
• Maintain an active research program that involves undergraduate research assistants and collaborators.
• Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments, projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback promptly to student inquiries in class, online, or during established consultation office hours.
• Maintain current, accurate records of course enrollment, attendance, student academic progress, course curriculum; prepare and submit grades, data, and reports related to course and student progress in a timely manner.
• Provide a course syllabus to students in each class within the first week of the class, as outlined in the faculty handbook.
• Adhere to the responsibilities related to teaching, advising and service, as outlined in the faculty handbook.
• Attend and participate on committees and in department, division, campus, and University meetings.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Of

• Cognitive, Experimental, Clinical or Counseling psychologist with good knowledge of statistics and quantitative methodology.
• Current theory and practice within the subject discipline
• Principles and best practices of effective teaching
• Student learning outcomes and methods of assessment University curricula
• Community and campus resources, services, programs, and professionals available to students
• Methods of gathering, analyzing, and preparing data
• Modern computing technology
• Record keeping techniques concerning student enrollment, attendance, and progress

Ability To

• Demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge in the subject field
• Deliver course curricula in various learning styles
• Mentor a diverse population of students
• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of university students’ diverse academic, social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities.
• Integrate current and emerging instructional delivery technologies into the learning process to enhance teaching and the educational experience
• Maintain professional standards that protect student confidentiality
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using tact, patience, and courtesy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Work constructively with their colleagues and to treat faculty, staff, administrators, and students with respect and professionalism.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt practical courses of action
• Demonstrate commitment to professional excellence and continuous growth within-subject field or discipline
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved populations
• Provide evidence of publications and/or conference presentations within the candidate’s area of specialty (preferably involving undergraduate students as collaborators)

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a Ph.D. (or Psy.D.) in Psychology from an accredited institution or an ABD with a set date for when the Ph.D./Psy.D. will be successfully earned.
NOTE : This position does not supervise graduate students. Therefore, clinical licensure is not required.

Preferred Qualifications

Licenses and other requirements

None

Physical Abilities

Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; communicate clearly to exchange information in person and via the telephone or video; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files.

Indoor classroom environment; subject to visiting a variety of classroom sites on campus.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $73,000 - $82,000

Posting Number

Posting Number Faculty001252020

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 08/23/2027

Position End Date

Open Date

Open Date 08/10/2026

Close Date

Close Date 10/18/2026

Open Until Filled No

Statement

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University’s policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Teaching Philosophy
• Statement of Research/Creative Activities
• List of References
• Other

Optional Documents

Human Resources
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd. #1100
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Office (805) 493-3185
Fax (805) 493-3655

California Lutheran University is an Equal Opportunity Employer