Job Details
Purpose of Position
The Department of Psychological Science at Northern Kentucky University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Psychology beginning August 2027. Candidates should be strongly committed to teaching at the undergraduate level, engaging undergraduates in research, and applying rigorous scientific principles to the study of psychology. Area of specialization is open. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in clinical/counseling psychology, lifespan…
development, industrial/organizational psychology, or human factors. The department offers a collegial work environment that values both teaching and scholarship. Departmental scholarly interests span clinical, developmental, health, social, cognitive, and industrial/organizational psychology, along with neuroscience and psychopharmacology. More information about the department can be found on our website https://www.nku.edu/academics/artsci/about/departments/psychology/about.html .
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is a public, comprehensive university of approximately 15,000 students supported by more than 2,000 faculty and staff. Located on a vibrant suburban campus in Highland Heights—just seven miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati—we deliver innovative, learner-centered education and conduct impactful scholarship that prepares students for rewarding careers while strengthening the region’s social and economic vitality.
NKU’s vision is that we will be nationally recognized for being a student-ready, regionally engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. Our core values place emphasis on our culture of excellence, creativity, innovation, and collegiality.
Our strategic framework emphasizes (1) expanding and enhancing student access, success, and career readiness, (2) creating a supportive and sustainable work environment to attract and retain talent, and (3) advancing economic, social, and civic vitality in our community and region. The University provides equal opportunities in educational services and employment according to the law.
Primary Responsibilities
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate in-person classes, as well as courses offered for our online BA program. In-person and online courses will include Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods and Lab, and courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise.
The successful candidate will also maintain an active, peer-reviewed research agenda consistent with the department’s emphasis on scientific rigor.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. in psychology from a regionally or nationally accredited university by August 1, 2027, is required.
Candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement including a plan for incorporating undergraduate students, up to three reprints/preprints, and names and email addresses of three references. Candidates with teaching experience should also submit evidence of teaching proficiency (e.g., teaching evaluations, example syllabi, etc.). The cover letter and teaching statement should show, as a faculty member at NKU, how the candidate will contribute to our core values and our strategic framework, especially in how the candidate will contribute to student success and belonging.
Application materials should be submitted electronically to https://jobs.nku.edu/. Once an application has been processed, a secure link will be sent to the three reference providers so that letters of recommendation can be uploaded to the same website.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions about the position can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Kim Breitenbecher (breitenbeche@nku.edu, 859-572-5519).
Organization
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) has become a leader in the Greater Cincinnati area and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. One of the fastest growing schools in Kentucky, NKU enrolls more than 14,000 students. While NKU has grown into a major metropolitan university, the professors still know the students' names. With an average class size of just 24 students, NKU is able to offer the kind of personalized attention students receive at private universities for a fraction of the cost. NKU's faculty and staff are second to none, and are eager to help-each other, the students, and the region. The friendly and supportive campus environment is a hallmark of the Northern experience. That is one of the reasons NKU was recently named by the Cincinnati Business Courier as one of the Best Places to Work in Cincinnati.
NKU students have access to more than just a great faculty and staff -- they have access to some of the world's most sophisticated technology. NKU's Natural Science Center features equipment that is the most advanced in the nation. NKU students also participate in unique undergraduate research opportunities, working alongside faculty on projects and programs that improve the quality of life in our region. Many of these projects have been widely heralded and have helped make Northern a national model for civic engagement.
One of the major keys to the success of the student body is NKU's commitment to building a diverse population on its' campus. Our students are both commuter and dorm residents, traditional and non-traditional, and represent many nationalities, ethnicities, and races. NKU is strengthened by the contributions of the students that it serves and the unique talents and perspectives that students bring to the campus. NKU is very proud of its students. About 85 percent of them work at least 20 hours per week. Some work much more. NKU has about 35,000 alumni who live and work in Greater Cincinnati fulfilling their dreams in a variety of professions.
We welcome everyone to take a closer look at the NKU website http://www.nku.edu and see the many ways that Northern Kentucky University remains "Quality-Made and Community Driven."
About the Area
Northern Kentucky University is a vibrant campus community located a few miles from downtown Cincinnati, the hub of a major metropolitan area. People who live and work in the area enjoy a blend of big city luxuries and small town values.
To learn more about the area, go to: http://www.northernkentuckycvb.com AND http://cincinnatiusa.com

