"Assistant Professor (Applied Cognition and Development)"

Job Details

Position Summary

The Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Applied Cognition and Development Program to begin August 2026. The mission of the Applied Cognition and Development is to explore the effects of cognitive and developmental processes on education, prepare graduates to improve education through research, and to apply research to various educational settings. Information about the department can be found at https://coe.uga.edu/directory/educational-psychology/.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The successful applicant will be expected to maintain a high-quality research program, seek external funding, serve as a research mentor for students, direct applied projects, theses, and dissertations, teach in the online and on-campus programs, participate in faculty governance, and contribute to the collegial community of the Applied Cognition and Development Program and the larger Department of Educational Psychology.
• This position requires teaching the equivalent of two courses per semester in the program or department. Expected courses include undergraduate and graduate courses in achievement motivation.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications received by October 1, 2025 are assured full consideration.

Questions may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Michael Barger (michael.barger@uga.edu).

Applicants should submit:

1. A letter of interest addressing qualifications in the areas detailed in the job posting
2. A current curriculum vita
3. A statement of research goals
4. A statement of teaching philosophy
5. Three reprints of published research articles combined and uploaded as one PDF
6. The contact information for three references who are able to provide letters of recommendation.

Unofficial copies of transcripts can be submitted with the application package. Formal transcripts and letters of recommendation will be required only from finalists.

Posting Details

Posting Number

F2433P

Working Title

Assistant Professor (Applied Cognition and Development)

Department

COE-Educational Psychology

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The Department of Educational Psychology has 26 full-time faculty and serves the college and university through courses and programs of study that support knowledge in (a) the psychological constructs associated with teaching and learning and (b) empirical methodologies. The department has four areas of emphasis: Applied Cognition and Development, Gifted and Creative Education, Quantitative Methodology, and School Psychology. We offer graduate degrees at the masters (MA, MEd), specialist (EdS) and doctoral (PhD) levels as well as two undergraduate minors in Personal Health and Well-being and Educational Psychology.

The Mary Frances Early College of Education (MFECOE), one of the nation’s largest colleges of education, consistently ranks in the top ten national Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction programs. The College offers significant possibilities for interdisciplinary research collaborations, program development, and school-community partnerships. The college’s Research Office provides strong pre- and post-award grant support. The College is named for the University of Georgia’s first African American graduate, a pioneering educator who played an integral role in the campaign for racial equality in Georgia and across the South. The department and college are recognized leaders in developing partnerships with local communities and schools to provide pre-service and in-service professional development, and to expand students’ experiential learning and service-learning opportunities.

As the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA, the Mary Frances Early College of Education (MFE COE) improves the lives of residents of Georgia and beyond through our instruction, research, and service. The MFE COE is a comprehensive college with disciplines focused on teacher preparation, counseling and human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy. We place significant emphasis on graduate education with approximately 40% of our students at the graduate level, making us the second largest college at UGA with respect to graduate education.

Athens is known for its music, art, and food as well as its accessibility to the Atlanta area (see www.visitathensga.com and www.georgia.gov).

College/Unit/Department website

https://coe.uga.edu/directory/educational-psychology/

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Underutilization

Advertised Salary

Anticipated Start Date

08/01/2026

Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)

Job Posting Date

07/28/2025

Job Closing Date

Open until filled

Yes

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title

Assistant Professor

FLSA

Faculty Rank

Assistant Professor

Contract Type

Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status

Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications include an earned doctorate at the time of employment with a specialization in educational psychology, developmental psychology, or a closely related field.

Additional Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Evidence of promise for moving toward a strong record of scholarly research. This includes an active record of scholarship and productivity in terms of peer-reviewed publications in academic journals and professional presentations, commensurate with experience.
• Evidence or strong potential for seeking and attracting external funding. Evidence of potential may include success with small-scale proposals, training/preparation relative to seeking external funds, and/or research in novel and high interest areas for funding sources.
• The successful candidate will also demonstrate skills in collaboration, fostering teamwork, and mentoring students, as evidenced activities such as a record of presentations and trainings, course evaluations, completed or in process projects, etc.
• Proven record of expertise in motivation as it applies to PK-16 education as demonstrated by scholarly presentations and publications.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Physical Demands

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

Yes

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

No

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Sample Publications
4. List of References with Contact Information
5. Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy
6. Research Portfolio/Philosophy

Optional Documents

1. Unofficial Transcripts
2. Other Documents #1
3. Unofficial Letters of Recommendation