Department
Cognitive Science
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can contribute to these goals through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact employment@vassar.edu .
Job Description
Position Introduction:
The Department of Cognitive Science at Vassar College invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor beginning in fall 2026. We seek a cognitive scientist with research and teaching expertise in either: (1) qualitative approaches focusing on the experience of agents in context or (2) computational modeling and AI.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will be committed to teaching and research in Cognitive Science as a discipline in its own right with its integrative multidisciplinary perspective on mind and agency no matter what forms they take. The position involves teaching introductory cognitive science, advanced courses in the candidate's area of interest, and intermediate-level courses in the curriculum. In particular, we seek a cognitive scientist with research and teaching expertise in either: (1) qualitative approaches focusing on the experience of agents in context or (2) computational modeling and AI.
Preference will be given to candidates who evidence a breadth of interest appropriate to a liberal arts undergraduate institution and who show promise both as teachers and as active researchers. Teaching load in the first year is four courses; after that it is four courses per year plus intensively mentored research or other work with students. We seek a candidate who will develop a vigorous research program that includes opportunities for undergraduates. PhD is required and must be in hand by time of appointment.
Application Materials:
- Cover Letter & CV
- Teaching Statement
- Research Statement
- Community Impact Statement (https://offices.vassar.edu/dean-of-the-faculty/positions/community-impact-statement/)
- Graduate School Transcripts (unofficial copy is acceptable at the time of application)
- Contact information for three references: Candidates will be prompted for these at a later stage, following the submission of the application
How to Apply:
Applications should be addressed to John Long and submitted online at: https://vassar.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Vassar-External. Please contact John Long at jolong@vassar.edu with any questions. Review of applicant materials will begin on October 1, 2025 and will continue until the position has been filled. There is no guarantee that applications received after October 1, 2025 will be reviewed.
Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The annual base starting salary range for this position is $94,000 to $104,000 (USD). This range includes new faculty appointments beginning the first year of a standard tenure clock as well as Assistant Professors with previous tenure-line experience who will be on an accelerated tenure clock. When extending an offer of employment, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) candidate's education/training, work experience, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations. This salary range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting. The starting salary for an Assistant Professor in this position with a PhD beginning the first year of a standard tenure clock in Fall 2026 is $98,000.
