Assistant Professor, Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology

The Opportunity

The Department of Psychology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for two assistant professors in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology Doctoral Program with an anticipated start date of August of 2025. Both are 9-month, tenure-earning positions.

We seek dedicated and collegial teachers/scholars whose work closely integrates theory and application. For one position, preference will be given to candidates with research specialization related to human factors and/or cognition involving immersive experiences, artificial intelligence, and/or human performance. For the second position, research specialization may include any of the above, as well as, but not limited to: ergonomics, cognitive neuroscience, motor performance, sensation, perception, human-machine teaming, automation, human-robotics interaction, and human-computer interaction. Candidates should demonstrate a record of, or potential for, obtaining external funding. We prefer candidates with potential to develop cross-collaborations between the candidate’s own areas of expertise and ongoing research across the department and university, as well as with external organizations. The successful candidate will be expected to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute through their research, teaching, and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Department of Psychology at UCF has over 50 full-time faculty, over 4,700 undergraduate students, and offers terminal master’s degrees in clinical and industrial/organizational psychology, as well as Ph.D. programs in human factors and cognitive, clinical, and industrial/organizational psychology. There is regular cross-collaboration between these programs and other units across the university.

The UCF Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology Doctoral Program is accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. The program faculty consists of eight full-time faculty members who do research at the intersection of psychological science and applied domains, such as automation and robotics, aviation, driving, aging, cybersecurity, team performance, simulation, and training, as well as research on basic cognitive function. The context of these research programs includes laboratory studies, simulation, and field work. Learn more about the program here: https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/graduate/ph-d-human-factors-and-cognitive-psychology. Laboratory facilities include, but are not limited to, driving simulation, virtual/augmented reality, automation and robotics, eye tracking, EEG, fNIRS, and a variety of physiological metrics (https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/graduate/ph-d-human-factors-and-cognitive-psychology/research-laboratories). In addition, the Psychology Department is home to the new IMMERSE Lab, an interdisciplinary, federally-funded lab intended to support the study of human behavior in realistic environments using ambulatory neurophysiological recording systems. Learn about the IMMRSE Lab here: https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/immerse.

UCF is one of the most innovative public universities in the nation, as named by the U.S. News & World Report. UCF is a leading, metropolitan, research-intensive university with over 68,000 students. As part of our comprehensive traditional benefits, UCF offers support for expectant mothers, paid parental leave for both parents, on-site pre-school, and professional development and leadership training for all faculty at all career stages. The university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in ten departments and schools, and several centers. Seven departments hold national rankings for best graduate programs. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

A research focused Ph.D. in human factors or experimental/cognitive psychology or in a related area (e.g., other areas of psychology, computer science, engineering) from an accredited institution by time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Impactful publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• A research program with a history of, or potential for, external funding as appropriate for the discipline.

• Evidence of, or potential for, teaching and mentoring effectiveness.

• Evidence of, or potential to, conduct research in human factors and cognition.

• Evidence of, or potential to, teach human factors and cognition related courses at all levels.

• Evidence of, or potential to, develop cross-collaborations between the candidate’s own areas of expertise and ongoing research across the department and university.

• Evidence of a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and/or graduate education

For one position, the ideal candidate will have a research specialization at the intersection of human factors and/or cognition and emerging technologies such as immersive experiences, artificial intelligence, and/or human performance.

Additional Application Materials Required

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following materials:

1) A cover letter that describes your interest in the position and summarizes your qualifications for the position.

2) A current curriculum vitae.

3) A statement of research (including future research plans).

4) A statement of teaching interest (including evidence of teaching effectiveness).

5) Up to three (3) reprints of recent publications.

6) A list with the names, phone number and email contact information for three professional references (please do not submit letters of recommendation).

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Initial review of applications will begin January 13, 2025, and will continue until posting is closed.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Mark Neider, search committee chair, at mark.neider@ucf.edu.  

Special Instructions to the Applicants

All candidates will be considered for both positions and do not need to specify which position they are applying for.

Job Close Date

02/06/2025

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.