Tenured Associate Professor in Computational Cognition, Cognitive Neuroscience, Visual Neuroscience

The Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University invites applications for a tenured associate professor position in the areas of cognition, cognitive neuroscience, or visual neuroscience with a computational or AI focus, to start August 16, 2025. We particularly welcome applications from scientists developing computational models that explain cognition or vision, exploring the intersection of models of cognition or vision with models from AI, or developing novel computational or AI approaches to understanding behavioral data and/or brain data. Successful candidates will employ computational modeling, mathematical modeling, AI methods, machine learning, and/or data science approaches in their work, and be prepared to train students and teach courses in these approaches. We seek an exceptional individual who has a strong record of creative, methodologically and computationally rigorous, and conceptually driven research, who has a track record of extramural funding, and who has demonstrated effective teaching.

Our department is a community of faculty with a strong commitment to excellence in research and teaching in psychology and neuroscience. Our 26 full-time faculty are organized into three overlapping areas representing clinical science, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, and neuroscience. Our faculty are internationally recognized for research in cognition, cognitive neuroscience, and vision science, with particular strengths in visual perception, visual cognition, attention, memory, cognitive control, decision making, and related areas. We particularly welcome applications from scientists whose research complements and extends our areas of excellence.

This position represents a joint hire between the Department of Psychology and Vanderbilt’s newly announced College of Connected Computing. This transformative new college is dedicated to computer science, AI, data science, and to developing strong partnerships in computational areas in allied disciplines like psychology and neuroscience. It is a uniquely interdisciplinary college and will collaborate with all of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges to advance breakthrough discoveries and strengthen computing education through a “computing for all” approach. This position represents one of the first joint faculty appointments of a large number of anticipated faculty hires in computational areas over the coming years. This joint position offers unique opportunities to teach undergraduate and graduate courses of interest not only to students in psychology and neuroscience but to a broad spectrum of students from other computational disciplines. A search for a Dean of the new college is underway

The Department of Psychology has strong relations with the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Peabody College, hosting a joint PhD program in Psychological Sciences. We have strong relations with the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and we are core participants in both undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary programs in Neuroscience. Our faculty have affiliations with and capitalize on resources from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Academic Computing Center for Research & Education, Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging Science, the Data Science Institute, and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development. For information about the faculty, department, and interdisciplinary opportunities in the Department of Psychology, please see https://as.vanderbilt.edu/psychology/

The successful candidate will have opportunities to teach and supervise undergraduate and graduate students in Psychology, Neuroscience, and in future programs developed in the College of Connected Computing.

Qualifications

Candidates should be eligible for a tenured appointment and have a strong track record of research and teaching in cognition, cognitive neuroscience, or visual neuroscience with a computational or AI focus, with a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit: (a) a curriculum vitae, (b) a research and teaching statement of no more than five pages, (c) up to three relevant publications, directly to http://apply.interfolio.com/156190 . The online application portal (Interfolio) will ask for the names and emails of three references; references will be prompted to submit letters of recommendation via the Interfolio portal. Screening of applications will commence after November 15, 2024.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.