Entry Level Cognitive Science Research Jobs in California

Position overview
Position title: Lecturer
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $73,817 - $96,314. The posted UC academic salary scales (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2026-27/ix-august-2026-scales/t15.pdf) set the minimum pay determined
by rank and/or step at appointment. See the UC salary scale for this position (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2026-27/ix-august-2026-scales/t15.pdf)
Application Window
Open date: August 1, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Aug 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Human Developmental Sciences (HDS) program at the University of California, San Diego is committed to building an excellent and diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We are currently accepting applications from candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to teach as temporary non-tenure track lecturers (Unit 18).
Responsibilities include effective instruction, teaching classes in accord with the course description and objectives, following the academic and administrative policies of the department and program, and advising students on academic matters.
HDS is an interdisciplinary program, examining systematic and organized change from birth through adolescence into older ages of life. It views development over time as crucial for understanding all aspects of human behavior. The analytic orientation of developmental science focuses on how the dynamic mutual relations between multiple different types of information (biological, cognitive and socio-cultural) can be integrated to explain life-span development. This emphasis is on understanding life-development holistically as a complex system. The program offers three (3) areas of concentration:
Biological Development, which emphasizes the biological bases of lifespan development, including the sensory and perceptual processes that are basic to our cognitive and social functioning.
Cognitive & Linguistic Development, which focuses on intellectual and emotional development across the lifespan. It examines the development of both linguistic and cognitive processes, and the affective and temperamental factors that shape our interaction with others.
Socio-Cultural Development, which focuses on the influences of culture and context in the field of lifespan development. It examines topics such as family relations, peer interaction, the effects of schooling and literacy and the activities of play, theories of child development, differing cultural perspectives, and social and health policy issues.
The HDS program also has a full research methodology curriculum that provides advanced-level study on subfields of human development. To learn more about our program and courses we may offer, please visit : https://catalog.ucsd.edu/courses/HDS.html .
Appointments may vary from part time to full time with a duration of one quarter to one year with the possibility of extension in accordance with programmatic needs.
The posting will remain open to accommodate upcoming course needs or until the positions are filled.
Program: http://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Master's degree in a related field (e.g . human development, psychology, sociology, linguistics , biology, communication, anthropology, cognitive science, education studies , ethnic studies , history, literature, urban studies )
1 year of teaching experience. May include experience as teaching assistant and associate in.
Preferred qualifications
PhD in a related field (e.g . human development, psychology, sociology, linguistics , biology, communication, anthropology, cognitive science, education studies , ethnic studies , history, literature, urban studies )
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Teaching
• Teaching Evaluations

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04588
Help contact: jlau@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf . This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH ]
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination ]
Job location
San Diego, CA