Unleash Your Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck.

The Opportunity

The Department of Psychology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for two full-time, nine-month positions at the rank of assistant professor (tenure-earning) or associate professor (tenured), (https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/graduate/ph-d-human-factors-and-cognitive-psychology/ ), anticipated to begin in Fall of 2024. 

We seek dedicated and collegial teachers/scholars whose work closely integrates theory and application. Research specialization should be related to human factors and cognition and may include, but is not limited to, human factors, ergonomics, cognition, cognitive neuroscience, motor performance, sensation, perception, AI, human-machine teaming, automation, human-robotics interaction, and HCI.

Assistant professor candidates should demonstrate a record of or potential for attracting funding. Associate professor candidates should have a demonstrated record of funding. To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor in the Department of Psychology at UCF.  We prefer candidates who are open to cross-collaborations between the candidate’s own areas of expertise and ongoing research in our program and department. 

Compensation for the nine-month appointment is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

UCF, located in Orlando, Florida, is classified as a Very High Research Activity university by the Carnegie Foundation. UCF is one of the nation’s largest universities with a diverse student body of approximately 68,000 students. UCF has grown substantially in size, quality, diversity, and reputation since it began 50 years ago and currently 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. UCF is committed to diversity and is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu .

The Department of Psychology at UCF has over 50 full-time faculty, over 4,600 undergraduate majors, 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 Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program consists of nine full-time faculty members with expertise in a wide range of domains including cognition, neuroscience, aging, and perception as applied to a range of practical domains such as automation and robotics, aviation, driving, cybersecurity, team performance, simulation, and training. The context of these research programs includes laboratory studies, simulation, and field work, which reflects our theme of integrative psychological science.  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 (https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/immerse/ ), an interdisciplinary, federally-funded lab intended to support the study of human behavior in realistic environments using ambulatory neurophysiological recording systems.

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.  We encourage you to apply if (1) you believe that you have the skills for the position, (2) you meet the minimum qualifications for the position; (3) you think you meet at least some of the preferred criteria outlined above, and (4) you are passionate about building a strong Human Factors and Cognition psychology program at the undergraduate and doctoral levels at UCF.

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.

To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate professor in the Department of Psychology at UCF.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would have: 1) impactful publications in peer-reviewed journals; 2) a research program with a history of or potential for external funding as appropriate for the discipline; 3) evidence of or potential for teaching and mentoring effectiveness; and 4) evidence of or potential to teach human factors and cognition related courses at all levels. For each position, candidates should provide evidence of a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. 

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 must upload the following materials: 1) a statement of research (including future research plans) and teaching interest (including evidence of teaching), 2) a current vita (CV), 3) up to three (3) reprints of recent publications, and 4) a list with the names and contact information for three professional references.

For each position, candidates should provide evidence of a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. 

Initial review of applications will begin November 15, 2023, and continue until the positions are filled.

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.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Joseph Schmidt, search committee chair, at joseph.schmidt@ucf.edu .   

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

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 Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.

And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/ ).

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger , and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 240 degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 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 higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

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.