Department of Psychology - Assistant Professor in Biological Psychology

Psychology Job no: 561559 Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track Location: San Bernardino - San Bernardino Campus Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Behavioral Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino mountains, the university serves approximately 19,000 students. CSUSB is a federally recognized minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution that reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire: 74 percent of its students are members of underrepresented groups, 80 percent are first-generation, and 56 percent are Pell eligible. For more information on the campus, please visit the CSUSB website .

CSUSB employs 467 full-time faculty and offers 48 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and one doctoral degree programs and 14 academic programs with national accreditation. At CSUSB, diversity, equity and inclusion are values central to our mission. We recognize that diversity and inclusion in all its forms are necessary for our institutional success. By fully leveraging our diverse experiences, backgrounds and insights, we inspire innovation, challenge the status quo and create better outcomes for our students and community.

As part of CSUSB’s commitment to hire, develop and retain a diverse faculty, we offer a variety of networking, mentoring and development programs for our junior faculty. We are committed to building and sustaining a CSUSB community that is supportive and inclusive of all individuals. Qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings and/or who demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse student populations are strongly encouraged to apply. JOB SUMMARY The Department of Psychology at CSUSB is a vibrant, student-centered department committed to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement.

Faculty maintain active research programs spanning cognitive, behavioral, social, developmental, industrial-organizational, clinical, and biological psychology while providing exceptional opportunities for undergraduate and master's students to participate in research. The department offers a B.A. in Biological Psychology and a master’s program with an emphasis in neuroscience and is actively expanding its neuroscience curriculum and research activities. As part of its continued investment in biological psychology and neuroscience, the department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Biological Psychology, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. A Ph.D. in psychology, neuroscience, biology, or a related area is required at the time of appointment.

We seek candidates with expertise in biological psychology, neuroscience, or a closely related field whose research complements and expands the department's existing strengths. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biological psychology, neuroscience, and related areas. Examples include behavioral neuroscience, brain and behavior, cellular and molecular neuroscience, learning, neuropsychiatric disorders, and advanced experimental seminars. The standard teaching load is four courses per semester.

Consistent with the current collective bargaining agreement, new tenure-track faculty receive a reduced teaching load during their first two years. Additional assigned time may be available for student mentorship, specific service responsibilities, and internal funding opportunities. The Department of Psychology offers a collaborative and supportive research environment, including dedicated laboratory space, specialized equipment, and facilities that support both human and non-human animal research. The department also has a strong record of securing competitive external funding, with faculty earning multimillion-dollar awards from federal, state, and local agencies.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty across the Department of Psychology and colleagues in related disciplines throughout the university. Candidates should demonstrate the potential to establish and maintain an active research program that engages both undergraduate and master's students, as well as the potential to secure external funding. Student mentorship is a hallmark of the department. Faculty actively involve undergraduate and graduate students in research through laboratory experiences, independent studies, master's theses supervision, conference presentations, and other high-impact learning opportunities.

We seek a colleague who is committed to excellence in teaching and mentoring, values inclusive and student-centered education, and is dedicated to fostering the success of our diverse student population. TYPICAL ACTIVITIES The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biological psychology and neuroscience, with opportunities to develop new courses aligned with their expertise. Possible teaching assignments include behavioral neuroscience, brain and behavior, cellular and molecular neuroscience, learning, neuropsychiatric disorders, and advanced experimental seminars. Qualified candidates must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring a diverse student population and to working effectively with faculty, staff and students, on and off campus, across a wide range of disciplines.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an active research program with the potential to attract external funding and that actively involves undergraduate and master's students. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Doctoral degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Evidence of the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biological psychology, neuroscience, and related disciplines. Demonstrated ability or potential to supervise undergraduate research projects and graduate theses.

Commitment to working effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and contributing to an inclusive learning, research, and working environment. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience teaching at the undergraduate level at a comprehensive university. Evidence of an active or emerging research program with the potential to produce peer-reviewed publications and engage undergraduate and masters students in research. Potential for securing external funding is also a consideration.

Evidence of scholarly activity, publication, and innovation is valued. Evidence of exemplary graduate-level teaching and leadership experience at program level is preferred and should be noted in application. SPECIAL CONDITIONS The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with CSUSB.

Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: CSUSB cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought. Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that CSUSB has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to CSUSB or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, CSUSB is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community. ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Department of Psychology is one of the largest academic departments at CSUSB, with approximately 25 fulltime faculty, 25 part-time faculty, more than 100 graduate students, and over 1,600 undergraduate majors. The department offers a B.A. in Psychology with concentrations in General Psychology, Biological Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Graduate offerings include M.A. programs in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Psychological Science (including a neuroscience emphasis), and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We offer our majors at the main campus in San Bernardino, with additional opportunities available at the Palm Desert Campus. The CSUSB Department of Psychology is nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and educational access. According to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, CSUSB ranks among the nation's leaders in awarding bachelor's degrees in psychology to Hispanic students, reflecting the university's mission as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Faculty maintain active, collaborative, research programs spanning a broad range of psychological disciplines and provide students with extensive opportunities for laboratory research, community engagement, conference presentations, and close faculty mentorship. In addition, the department supports a broad range of neuroscience research through dedicated laboratory facilities and specialized equipment for human and non-human animal research. Together, these strengths create a dynamic academic environment that prepares students for advanced study and careers in research, healthcare, education, industry, and public service. The Department of Psychology has a strong record of securing competitive external funding, with faculty earning multimillion-dollar awards from federal, state, and local agencies to support research, student success, and community partnerships.

To find out more about the Department of Psychology please visit our website: https://www.csusb.edu/psychology For more information regarding the position, please contact: Recruitment Chair Leslie Amodeo [email protected] Department Chair Donna Garcia [email protected] HOW TO APPLY Please submit Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter that includes: a. A statement of your teaching interest/philosophy b. A statement of your research experience/plans If available, evidence of teaching effectiveness such as teaching portfolios, reports on teaching observations, and/or student evaluations of teaching. Unofficial copies of all postsecondary degree transcripts (official transcripts may be required prior to appointment).

Reference List - names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) referees whom we may contact to obtain letters of recommendation. Confidential letters of recommendation may be solicited from those listed as references on the application if the applicant is moved forward in the recruitment process. Non-confidential letters of recommendation can be uploaded by the applicant during the application process. Formal review of applications will begin October 11, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we invite you to apply by using this CSU Recruit Hyperlink at: https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/873/gateway/Default.aspx?c=ap