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Assistant Professor - Cognitive Sciences
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 2, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Nov 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Mar 31, 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 Department of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks an innovative researcher for a tenure-track assistant professor position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.
We seek a researcher whose work combines the following two elements. First, the research addresses substantive theoretical questions concerning how people understand, reason about, and interact with other people and social environments, broadly construed. This may include, for example, research on how people reason about the beliefs, knowledge, intentions, and capabilities they attribute to other agents; perceive intentions and social interactions from visual scenes; form and revise inferences about other minds, including how these capacities develop; reason about moral actions and judgments; solve problems in groups. Relevant work may be situated within social cognition, judgment and decision making, developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or neighboring areas. We are particularly interested in approaches that can be applied to naturalistic data. Second, the research uses quantitative methods and/or computational modeling to develop and test theories of social reasoning and behavior. The position is intended for researchers whose primary emphasis is theoretical and quantitative.
The successful candidate will build an independent research program while contributing to teaching, mentoring, and service. Learn more about our department and the university at: Department of Cognitive Sciences' website.
For full consideration, applications must be completed by November 15, 2026. Priority will be given to applications received by this date, but we will continue reviewing qualified candidates until the position is filled.
Department: https://www.cogsci.uci.edu/employment.php
Qualifications
Ph.D. by date of employment.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter - Candidates are welcome to explain how they have contributed to inclusive excellence in their teaching, research, and service.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Research Statement - Describe the scope and impact of your previous research and plans for your future research program, specifically addressing their relevance to the intellectual scope of the position.
Teaching Statement - Specify prior courses taught (if any) and your teaching philosophy/outlook. See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement.
Publication #1 - Provide three (3) relevant papers. Journal or conference papers that are published or accepted for publication are preferred, but preprints and working papers are also acceptable.
Publication #2 - Provide three (3) relevant papers. Journal or conference papers that are published or accepted for publication are preferred, but preprints and working papers are also acceptable.
Publication #3 - Provide three (3) relevant papers. Journal or conference papers that are published or accepted for publication are preferred, but preprints and working papers are also acceptable.
- 3 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The department will request confidential letters at a later date.
About UC Irvine
The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.
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.
- “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
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APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
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.