Job Description

As part of a multi-year strategic hiring and growth initiative in Applied Psychological Science, the Department of Psychology at The University of Oklahoma is seeking applications for a tenure track or tenured faculty position in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Associate or Full Professor level with a focus on attention, memory, or language. This position aligns with the strategic plans in Psychology and in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships (https://www.ou.edu/research-norman). The anticipated start date for this position will be August 16, 2026.

The Psychology department offers the PhD in Cognitive, Industrial/Organizational, Applied Social and Developmental, and Quantitative Psychology (Norman campus), and an MA in Organizational Dynamics (Tulsa campus). Additionally, some faculty members also work in a multidisciplinary degree program in cellular and behavioral neurobiology.

For the tenure track or tenured Associate or Full Professor position in Cognitive Neuroscience, the successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Psychology or a related field, have an established record of productivity, including a record of external funding, with work focused on aspects of attention, memory, or language. This search is motivated in part by the recent revision of the University's strategic plan, which includes an emphasis on growing neuroscience research. With respect to enhancing the research portfolio of the department, the successful candidate will ideally have a record of both basic and applied research, including expertise in developing and applying mathematical or computational models. Although all methodologies in human cognitive neuroscience are welcome, we are particularly interested in scholars capable of participating in the recently announced research agreement with the Siemens Corporation, which will bring a high-field (7 Tesla) research-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument to the University of Oklahoma Health Campus in Oklahoma City. The successful candidate will also have an established record of effective mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and should be able to contribute to the teaching of core courses in cognitive neuroscience, as well as to the development of novel course offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The teaching load will be 2:2.

About The University of Oklahoma: Established in 1890, The University of Oklahoma is the flagship public research university in the state of Oklahoma (Carnegie Classification R1: highest research activity), with over 30,000 students and more than 2,700 full-time faculty members offering nearly 500 different graduate and undergraduate degree programs on three campuses (Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa).

OU has one of the oldest comprehensive colleges of fine arts in the Great Plains states, with highly regarded schools of Music, Musical Theatre, Drama, Art and Dance, and programs in opera and sculpture. The OU College of Law is Oklahoma’s premier law school, and the Michael F. Price College is ranked as one of the nation’s top business schools. The OU Health Campus is one of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation with seven professional schools, including more than 660 doctors practicing in nearly every adult and child specialty. OU’s Department of Psychology is one of the university’s largest departments by enrollment, with 30+ faculty and affiliates serving more than 1,600 undergraduate majors and minors, and 50+ fully funded PhD students. 

OU Research & Innovation: Adjacent to the beautiful and historic Main campus in Norman, with 277 acres and over 1 million square feet of high-tech facilities located along the Oklahoma Technology Corridor, the research campus hosts the National Weather Center and affiliated organizations. Some of these include the Data Institute for Societal Challenges, the Institute for Community and Society Transformation, the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, the Institute for Resilient Environment and Energy Systems, the Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, and many others. By synergistically co-locating State and Federal agency research and operational organizations, along with more than a dozen private companies and several University centers and academic programs, the Norman research campus creates a uniquely rich environment for collaboration, innovation, and commercialization. Over the last seven years, OU’s Office of Technology Commercialization has evaluated over 500 innovations, filed for 350 patents, and returned $23 million in royalty/license income and reimbursement back to OU.

Local Community & Culture: The city of Norman, Oklahoma, is a perennial contender on “best place to live” rankings with outstanding schools, amenities, a low cost of living, small town charm, a variety of recreational opportunities, four distinct seasons, and more than 225 days of sunshine each year.  Norman is located 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, the Capital and economic hub of the state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City Metroplex, including Norman and several other suburban cities, is home to about 1.5 million residents, offering all the amenities of a major modern metropolitan community, including rich cultural heritage, an abundance of the arts, superb dining and nightlife, major sporting and concert events, family entertainment, recreational adventure activities, and much more.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to investing in the success of its faculty at all stages of their careers. The department and college offer unique and essential research and professional development resources characteristic of a Flagship Public Research University (e.g., well-equipped, dedicated and shared laboratory space; shared supercomputer access; considerable graduate student funding and recruiting support; large research participant pools; flexible and innovative instructional, service, and leadership opportunities).  By mutual agreement, the successful candidate may also affiliate with strategic research organizations and centers (e.g., the Center for Applied Social Research, Institute for Community and Society Transformation, multiple centers on the OU Health Campus). Salary, benefits, and start-up packages are highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required:

• Ph.D. in Psychology or a related field
• Established record of securing external funding, with work focused on the cognitive neuroscience of attention, memory, or language.
• Ability to develop novel cognitive neuroscience course offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• An established record of effective mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels

Preferred:

• A record of both basic and applied research, including expertise in developing and applying mathematical or computational models.
• Capable of participating in research utilizing a high-field (7 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument.
• Ability to contribute to the teaching of core courses in cognitive neuroscience.

We encourage applicants to apply by November 1, 2025, for full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. All application materials must be submitted electronically via Interfolio.

• A cover letter addressing position fit, qualifications, student mentorship, and background. Candidates may elaborate on their approach to teaching.
• A curriculum vita
• Contact information for three confidential letters of recommendation
• Up to 3 reprints/preprints
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., teaching evaluation materials, peer evaluations, example syllabi, student comments/course evaluations)
• A brief statement of research interests (e.g., 300-2000 words)

To apply to the Cognitive Psychology position, please submit the above materials at https://apply.interfolio.com/174534

Please send inquiries to Dr. Michael Wenger ([email protected]).