"Assistant Professor- Biological Psychology"

Job Details

Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor

School/Department Name: Psychology

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $86,000 - $90,000

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August, 2026

Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description

The Department of Psychology at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor in Biological Psychology beginning in August 2026. We are seeking a biological psychologist whose research program examines health disparities through a psychophysiological lens. Such disparities could include (but are not limited to) differences in mental, cognitive, or physical health related to gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Proficiency with human psychophysiological research methods (e.g., EEG, skin conductance, heart rate variability, pupillometry, or hormonal assays) and proficiency with modern data analytics tools (e.g., data analysis and machine learning libraries in Python or R) are both highly valued.

The vision of the Psychology Department is to provide high-quality education in psychology that fosters the development of students so that they will make contributions to society. We value a student-centered approach that emphasizes teaching, research, and applied training. The Department offers a BA in Psychology, MA in Research and Experimental Psychology, MS in Clinical Psychology, and MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU is currently ranked as the [#4 Best Public University in the nation] by the Wall Street Journal and has been named the [#1 Most Transformative University in the nation] by Money Magazine every year since 2020.

The Department of Psychology in the College of Social Sciences and San José State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Biological or Physiological Psychology (or closely related field, including Cognitive Neuroscience) by date of appointment.
• Demonstrated scholarly productivity in the scientific study of Biological Psychology with expertise in health disparities.
• Proficiency with experimental research methods typically used in Biological or Physiological Psychology.
• Commitment to, and demonstrated potential for, teaching and mentoring excellence at the undergraduate level and within the MA in Research and Experimental Psychology graduate program.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching Biological Psychology, Physiological Psychology, and/or Neuroscience.
• Proficiency with human psychophysiological research methods, such as EEG, peripheral psychophysiology (e.g., skin conductance, heart rate variability, pupillometry), and hormonal assays. Note that the department does not have animal or scanning facilities.
• Proficiency with modern data analytics tools (e.g., data analytics and machine learning libraries in Python or R).
• Commitment to seeking external funding to support research-related activities and/or to enhance student learning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collegial atmosphere of shared governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Teaching responsibilities for this position will include undergraduate and graduate coursework in biological psychology (e.g., introductory psychobiology, neuroscience, drugs, brain, and behavior), the candidate’s area of specialization, and undergraduate service courses as needed by the department. Undergraduate courses may include introductory psychology, writing in psychology, statistics, and/or research methods.
• The candidate will be expected to develop a program of research in biological psychology and to pursue both internal and external funding. The candidate must maintain a productive research program, which may consist of collaborative research across the University, with other academic institutions, or other external agencies. Student mentoring is valued in our department, and a successful candidate will mentor and support undergraduate and graduate students of diverse backgrounds in conducting research.
• The successful applicant should be prepared to take an active role in the MA in Research and Experimental Psychology graduate program, which includes serving as a mentor and advisor to graduate students, instructor in graduate courses, and member of the MA program committee.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Other Duties Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Letter of interest (≤ 1000 words)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Inclusive excellence statement (dedicated statement or addressed in letter of interest)
• Statement of teaching interests/philosophy that describes what role faculty play in student success (≤ 1000 words)
• Statement of research plans (≤ 1000 words)
• Name, contact information, role, and professional relationship for three references. Reference letters may be requested at a later stage of the search.

Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Evan Palmer (evan.palmer@sjsu.edu) or Search Committee Chair, Dr. Christine Ma-Kellams (christine.ma-kellams@sjsu.edu).