Professor and Chair, Psychology

The Opportunity

The College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites nominations and applications for a full-time, 12-month, position of tenured professor and chair of the Department of Psychology with an anticipated start date in fall 2026. The chair acts as the unit head and reports to the Dean of the College of Sciences. The chair provides leadership for the department and has an essential role in the decision-making and all administrative functions within the unit, including strategic vision, academic programs, budget management, hiring, faculty and staff evaluations, and facilities.

The UCF Department of Psychology is a growing and innovative population of faculty and students carrying out research in three broad areas of emphasis: clinical psychology, human factors and cognitive psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology. The department contains six degree conferring programs: a bachelor’s in psychology, two terminal masters (I/O psychology and clinical psychology), and three doctoral programs (I/O psychology, human factors and cognitive psychology, and clinical psychology). The department consists of 50 full-time faculty, about 4,500 undergraduate majors, and approximately 170 graduate students. It is a collegial department with broad representation that values collaborations and mentorship across subdisciplines. All members of the department share a common goal of understanding behavior through empirical investigation, which is reflected in teaching and research.

Department faculty collaborate with partners across campus and beyond, including the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Community Innovation and Education, the National Center for Forensic Science, the Institute for Simulation and Training, the School of Modeling, Simulation, & Training, and Nemours Children’s Hospital, NAVAIR Orlando, and Orlando Veteran’s Affairs, among others. These interdisciplinary connections provide students with opportunities to engage in cutting‑edge research in areas such as mental health, neuroscience, human factors, and forensic psychology. By working across disciplines, psychology students are prepared to tackle complex problems and contribute solutions in an increasingly interconnected world.

For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) is the largest college at the university and a powerhouse for the regional and national STEM workforce, spanning the natural, computational, physical, and social sciences and housing centers, institutes and initiatives that serve as hubs for research and innovation. Through sharing and applying knowledge, COS is cultivating pathways for students to solve our world’s most pressing and complex problems. With a mission to provide a world-class education in an environment where faculty, staff, and students thrive, research flourishes, and our community prospers; a number of COS academic programs are among those nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review, and others.

For more information, please visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

UCF, named one of the most innovative public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is located in Orlando, Florida and is classified as a Very High Research Activity university by the Carnegie Foundation. With more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country, offering 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in psychology or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required. In addition, the successful applicant must have a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a tenured professor in the Department of Psychology at UCF by time of hire. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants will ideally have a demonstrated record of successful administrative leadership in a university or similar setting.

Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated experience in handling faculty matters, supervising staff, and have strong communication skills.

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:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV).

• A 2-to-3-page letter of interest including research and leadership experience, teaching philosophy, and vision for the department.

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.

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.

Review of applications will begin in February 2026.

Please direct any questions regarding the position to Dr. Sandra Wheeler, Search Committee Chair, at sandra.wheeler@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

Sponsorship for employment-based visas will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and is not guaranteed. Preference will be given to candidates who are currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

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

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

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.