Assistant Professor - Computational Approaches to Understanding Social Behavior

Description

The Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking a faculty member in computational approaches to understanding social behavior. Recent advances in large data, large-scale experiments, network analysis, text mining and analytics, and machine learning and artificial intelligence have central relevance to the behavioral sciences. Scientists are studying and predicting human behavior and health by examining a broad range of dense data sources including social media, personal sensing devices such as cell phones and wearables, and other large datasets from public institutions, private companies, and elsewhere. Emerging analytic approaches hold great promise to unlock the potential of these datasets to shed light on human behavior. A major focus of our future hiring is to target scientists applying new and highly innovative approaches to behavioral science. We are therefore seeking an emerging scholar (at the Assistant Professor level) who is working on developing and/or using computational methods/tools for use in psychological research and applies those to the study of social behaviors. We are seeking an individual who can join and help shape the data-science education initiative in the department - teaching cutting edge methods and data analysis at the undergraduate and graduate levels-and who can contribute to a departmental culture of rigorous and reproducible research.

We aim to hire computational behavioral scientists who can bridge domains and disciplines in a way that will spearhead breakthrough scientific discoveries, encourage cross disciplinary approaches in graduate training, and educate the next generation of psychology undergraduate majors. Therefore, we deliberately define this position broadly and are open to a broad array of approaches and topics, including scholars from other fields if they can make strong connections to Psychology and publish some of their work in disciplinary journals in Psychology.
Qualifications

Successful candidates are expected to train and mentor graduate students, teach our undergraduate and graduate students, develop a sponsored research program, collaborate with other faculty from a wide range of backgrounds, and be involved in service to the university and profession. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. for appointment as Assistant Professor, or expect to obtain it within a year of joining the faculty as Instructor, have a clearly defined and productive research agenda, and demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence. We expect all faculty to contribute to the department's mission to recruit, retain, and graduate students who would add to diversity in the field.

The department is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. We are interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching, research, and service. The Department of Psychology at University of Texas at Austin is also committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples and single parents.
Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit: (i) a cover letter that includes a description of fit with the hiring focus described above, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) a research statement, (iv) a statement of teaching philosophy, (v) a statement of intended contributions to the department's through research, teaching and/or service, (vi) three publications, and (vii) the names & contact information for three referees, which will be used to solicit confidential letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. If you have any questions about this position, please contact the chairs of the search committee, James Curley () or Sam Gosling ). Further information about the Psychology department at UT Austin can be found here:

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Position funding is subject to budget availability.

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Category

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job type

Full time