Visiting Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology

Position Summary

The Department of Psychology at Occidental College invites applications for a Full-time non-tenure track

Visiting Assistant Professor of Cognitive Psychology with appointment to begin Fall of 2026 for one year

(August 16, 2026 - May 15, 2027). The Visiting Assistant Professor will teach six courses, specifically:

Fall 2026

PSYC 200: Methods in Psychological Science, MWF 12:15-1:10 PM

PSYC 306: Cognitive Psychology, MWF 9:00-9:55 AM

PSYC 306: Cognitive Psychology, MWF 10:05-11:00 AM

Spring 2027

PSYC 200: Methods in Psychological Science, MWF 12:15-1:10 PM

PSYC 302: Perception, MWF 10:05-11:00 AM

PSYC 306: Cognitive Psychology, MWF 9:00-9:55 AM

We are seeking applicants with a Ph.D. in Psychology by the time of appointment, previous teaching

experience, and a commitment to effective teaching at the undergraduate level. Applicants with expertise in

cognitive psychology are preferred. Research is not a requirement of the position, but applicants are

encouraged to continue their research program while at Oxy. Resources needed to conduct research, such as

shared lab space or access to a participant pool, can be provided.

“Visiting Professor” is a faculty category bargained between the College and the non-tenure track faculty

union. Visiting faculty are hired to replace permanent faculty who are on leave and to meet other short-term

curricular needs. Visiting faculty may engage in scholarly activities, but scholarship is not a responsibility of the

position.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology or a related field. Applicants must have attained their Ph.D. by the position start

date, August 16, 2026\.

• Ability to teach Methods in Psychological Science, Cognitive Psychology, and Perception (or another

upper-level information processing course; see below).

• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized

communities

COURSE INFORMATION

PSYC 200: Methods in Psychological Science

Estimated enrollment of 25 students. Course description: “Introduces scientific methodology in the context of

psychological research. Basic concepts in scientific inquiry and specific observational correlational and

experimental techniques are covered. Includes an introduction to descriptive statistics.”

PSYC 302: Perception

Estimated enrollment of 18 students; course description: “This course focuses on how sensory systems

function, with emphasis on quantitative methodologies, neurophysiological mechanisms, structure/function

relationships, and ecological contexts. Attention is paid to phenomenology and philosophical issues, such as

the relationship between perception and reality.”

PSYC 306: Cognitive Psychology

Estimated enrollment of 18 students; course description: “The study of theoretical models that address the

mental processes underlying knowledge and thought and the empirical research in support of those models.

Emphasis is placed on how people solve problems make decisions draw inferences attend to their

environment communicate remember and learn. Much of the material is applied to real-life settings.”

Note

In Spring 2027, PSYC 302 can be swapped for another course that focuses on information processing, including

PSYC 301: Learning, PSYC 351: Psycholinguistics, and PSYC 444: Thinking \& Reasoning. For more information,

see https://www.oxy.edu/academics/areas-study/psychology/courses-requirements

SALARY RANGE

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE (Nine-month appointment): $62,500\.00 to $67,500\.00

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined

based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors,

Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees

when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range

for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and

continued salary growth.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Application Deadline and Instructions

To be assured full consideration, your application materials must be received by midnight Eastern time (9:00

pm Pacific time) on May 1, 2026\.

Applicants must submit a complete application package to Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/183336

A Complete Application Includes All Of The Following

• Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, as well as the education, experience,

and/or skills you possess that are relevant to the required qualifications listed above.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching evaluations from past courses (if available).
• Sample syllabi from past courses (if available).

Applicants who advance to the finalist phase of the search will be invited for an interview.

If you have any questions about the position, the application materials, or the application instructions, please

contact: Andrew Shtulman at [email protected] or call 323-259-2633\. If you have questions about Interfolio

or the application process, please contact the Academic Support Administrator, Beatrice Gonzales, at

[email protected]

Additional Information

This position is included in the NonTenure Track Bargaining Unit, and the successful applicant employee,

subject to the terms of the College’s Collective Bargaining will be a bargaining unit Agreement with SEIU Local

721\.

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or

applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,

pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital

status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military

and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly

committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an

inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive.

Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and

experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from

groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that

includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse,

domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For

a detailed description of benefits, please visit https: //www.oxy.edu/offices-

services/humanresources/benefits-information.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner

consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair

Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with

qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the

application or employment process, please contact Human Resources ([email protected]).

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires

that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they

have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check,

along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only

as permitted by federal, state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring

Ordinance.