About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (http://www.umass.edu/pbs/) is inviting applications for a full time, academic year, faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in its Developmental Science program, starting September 1, 2025. We are seeking outstanding applicants with expertise in any area of developmental science, including interdisciplinary fields connected to developmental psychology, whose work complements and/or broadens existing strengths in our program. Additionally, the Department is interested in candidates who have demonstrated ability to contribute to the inclusive excellence and diversity mission of the department, college and university in research, teaching, and/or outreach.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties, including a strong commitment to:

• Publish in high impact peer-reviewed journals
• Seek external funding to support scholarly work
• Undergraduate and graduate education, training and mentoring
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness

Other Functions

• Work in partnership with colleagues within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Developmental Science, or a closely related field.
• A strong record of research quality and productivity including peer-reviewed publications and strong promise of securing external funding.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, statement of teaching, Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below), three representative research publications, and contact information for three professional references. We will begin reviewing applications on October 15, 2024, and will accept applications until the positions are filled.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan. For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.