Faculty - Psychology (Cognitive) Tenure-track

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location: Main Campus - Orem

Job Type: FT Faculty

Job Number: FY2706571

Division: VP Academic Affairs

Department: College of Humanities/Social Scienc

Opening Date: 11/03/2026

Closing Date: 12/6/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Position Announcement

The Psychology and Counseling Department at Utah Valley University (UVU) invites applications for an Assistant Professor, tenure-track position in Cognitive Psychology to begin in Fall 2027.

UVU is a large regional public university serving more than 40,000 students. Our department prepares undergraduate and graduate students for meaningful careers and personal growth by connecting foundational knowledge in psychology and counseling with practical skills and application. Faculty in our program work closely with motivated students – many of whom are the first in their families to attend college – to help them connect psychological science with real-world challenges.

Our department enrolls nearly 2,000 undergraduate majors in psychology, and features an energetic, collegial faculty who actively involve students in research and applied learning. UVU’s campus sits at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, offering easy access to world-class skiing, hiking, biking, and national parks such as Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. UVU is also near Utah’s emerging cluster of tech companies and start-ups, the Silicon Slopes, which include notable companies such as Adobe, Cisco, Facebook, and more. The surrounding region provides an excellent environment for professional and personal life.

About Utah Valley University:

Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Utah Valley University offers exceptional access to year-round outdoor recreation, including skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and visits to iconic destinations such as Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. The university is also situated near Utah’s rapidly growing Silicon Slopes technology corridor, home to major employers and innovative startups, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration, research, and professional development.

Located in Orem, approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, UVU is a comprehensive public institution committed to providing accessible, high-quality education. Its distinctive dual-mission model combines the opportunities of a teaching university with the accessibility of a community college, fostering an environment where students and faculty work together to create meaningful learning experiences with real-world impact. Guided by the principle “A Place for You,” UVU emphasizes student success, innovation, and community engagement.

Summary of Responsibilities

Workload and Evaluation:

Faculty workload expectations are 80% teaching, 10% scholarship, and 10% service. A standard teaching load is 12 credits per semester (four 3-credit courses or three 4-credit courses) with optional summer teaching. Research expectations are consistent with UVU’s mission as a teaching-focused institution, emphasizing quality, mentorship, and professional standards rather than volume.

• Teaching and grading of coursework, including holding regular office hours and engaging in student mentoring.
• Designing, reviewing, and revising curriculum and courses according to the needs and guidelines of their department, college/school, and the University. They have the right and responsibility to develop and enhance their pedagogy, course content, and materials.
• Engaging in scholarship through the creation of, and dissemination of, original material. This often takes the form of peer-reviewed publications and presentations, and may also take the form of peer-reviewed books, chapters, etc.
• Service to department, college, and/or University.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• PhD in psychology or a related field from a reputable institution by the position start date.
• Able to teach specific cognitive psychology courses within the department and other courses according to current departmental needs.
• Evidence of potential for scholarly/creative work consistent with a teaching university.
• Demonstrates respect for students and colleagues inside and outside of the classroom.
• Upholds ethical standards in teaching.
• Must relocate to Utah if hired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching that is informed by pedagogical theory or professional development.
• Ability to teach in multiple modalities and teach at an open enrollment institution.
• Ability to teach key skills in psychology.
• Teaching that is committed to student success and engagement.
• Willingness to refine teaching.
• Service experience.

Required Application Materials:

References will be requested later in the search process.

1. Cover letter describing how your background aligns with the position.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Unofficial graduate transcripts.
4. Teaching statement.
5. Research statement.
6. Teaching evaluations from the past three years (if available).

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the cognitive psychology discipline, subject matter, and course content.
• Knowledge of pedagogy and/or instructional theories.
• Knowledge of how to provide instruction in multiple modalities.

Skills:

• Effective in teaching as demonstrated through effective instructional strategies and classroom techniques.
• Adept in teaching key intellectual skills for psychology.
• Upholds ethical standards in teaching, ensuring fairness, integrity, and respect in all interactions with students.
• Skills in process research, presentation, and publication, especially with students and limited resources.

Abilities:

• Supportive of student success.
• Willingness to reflect on and refine their teaching based on feedback, training, or scholarship.
• Communicate and collaborate respectfully with colleagues, students, and staff.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University’s dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family’s overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

Highlights from Utah Valley University’s benefits package include:

• Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
• Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university’s High-Deductible Health Plan
• Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
• Dental and vision plan options
• Incentivized wellness program
• Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee’s compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
• Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
• Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.