Assistant Professor - Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Assistant Professor – Experimental Analysis of Behavior

College

College of Science and Engineering - 323 College

Dept/School

Psychology - 32431

Vacancy Number

16F-791

Position Number

729

Location of Workplace

Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Department of Psychology within the College of Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) seeks an outstanding faculty member for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, beginning Fall 2027.

The successful candidate will contribute primarily to the department’s Bachelor’s, Master’s (ABAI-accredited), and Doctoral (ABAI-accredited) programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, joining a faculty whose work spans basic, translational, and applied areas. The successful candidate will maintain an active program of laboratory research with nonhuman animal subjects, supported by dedicated vivarium and operant laboratory space, and will establish and maintain IACUC-approved research protocols.

Responsibilities include maintaining an active research program; seeking external and internal research funding; supervising graduate research; mentoring students in the doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate programs; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses (including PSY 417: Advanced Learning and Behavior Analysis and PSY 617: Advanced Topics in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior); and contributing to departmental, university, and professional service. Research-active faculty typically maintain a 3:2 teaching load aligned with the candidate’s training and the needs of the department. Online teaching may be required for the position.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• PhD in Behavioral Analysis, Psychology, or closely related field. Please note: Applicants who are ABD for the terminal degree may be considered; however, the PhD must be conferred by August 1, 2027,to be eligible for employment.
• Demonstrated ability (or clear potential) to establish and maintain an independent program of laboratory research with nonhuman animal subjects.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Research program that complements or expands the department’s existing strengths, including scholarship that bridges basic and translational research questions.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in learning and the experimental analysis of behavior.
• Experience seeking and securing extramural research funding.
• Experience supervising graduate or undergraduate research and mentoring students.

Required Certifications or Licensure

No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Department of Psychology has 30 full-time faculty members and serves over 950 undergraduate and 60 graduate majors. The department operates successful Ph.D. programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Clinical Psychology, Psychological Science, and a Neuroscience & Behavior Master’s program.

The Applied Behavior Analysis concentration at UNCW was recognized in 2017 by the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis for its enduring contributions to the field. Graduates routinely achieve a 100% first-time pass rate on the BACB examination. Graduate cohorts are intentionally small, with faculty typically mentoring two to four graduate students at a time, and both the MS and PhD programs require an empirical thesis and dissertation.

A description of the department and degrees offered can be found at: https://uncw.edu/academics/colleges/cse/departments/psychology/

College/School Information

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation.

A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Founded as Wilmington College in 1947, UNCW moved to its present location in the heart of New Hanover County in 1961. The 660-acre campus is only minutes from Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington and features Georgian architecture and designated conservation areas. Wilmington International Airport (ILM) provides commercial air service to cities both domestic and abroad and is just six miles from the UNCW campus.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on 11/16/2026, the posting close date. To apply, please complete the online application process available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/hr/postings/40746 and attach the following materials as Adobe PDF documents. Note that submission of application without complete requested components will not meet the application requirements:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy (2 page maximum)
4. Research Summary – A statement of research interests that highlights how the applicant could make use of departmental expertise or resources (2 page maximum)
5. List of 3 Professional References. References will be requested during the screening process. Please note that a minimum of two professional references are required for all applications. If ABD at time of application, one reference must be from Dissertation chair
6. If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the ‘Other’ category.

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Christy Langdon (langdonc@uncw.edu), while questions regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Tom Cariveau (cariveaut@uncw.edu).

Position Type

Permanent

Job Posting Date

10/14/2026

Job Close Date

11/16/2026