The Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Health Behavior, with an anticipated start date of July 2025. We encourage applications from individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, particularly people from historically underrepresented groups in academia, including people of color, LGBTQI individuals, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and people of any age or family status.
We are seeking candidates who incorporate psychological theories and methods into their research on the science of health behaviors. Their work should promote interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen the department’s expertise in I-O Psychology, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Human Factors, and Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research.
We encourage applications from researchers who study health behaviors across different levels of influence, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and system levels. For example, candidates with expertise in health services research may investigate how system-level factors, such as healthcare policies or organizational practices, affect engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Similarly, candidates with expertise in affective neuroscience might explore how emotion regulation at individual or interpersonal levels influences motivation to engage in healthy or unhealthy behaviors, offering valuable insights into how emotional processes shape choices related to health behaviors.
We welcome applications from candidates conducting research on health behaviors at any stage of the translational continuum, encompassing basic science, intervention development, efficacy, and effectiveness testing, as well as dissemination and implementation studies. We place high value on researchers who prioritize promoting health behavior in underserved communities and addressing critical gaps in healthcare access and equity. We are particularly interested in applicants utilizing innovative assessment or analytic approaches in their work, such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computational methods, mobile health (m-health) technologies, and ambulatory tools for assessing behavior or the biological processes that influence engagement in health behaviors.
The position requires a Ph.D. in Psychology or a closely related field. Responsibilities include leading a productive and innovative research program with potential for securing external funding, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, mentoring students at both levels, and contributing service to the field, department, and university. Additionally, candidates are expected to enhance our graduate program through the development of innovative coursework and providing effective mentorship.
About the Department: The Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University offers doctoral training in HF/HCI (fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society), cognitive and affective neuroscience, health psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. Our programs are highly regarded, with the industrial-organizational psychology program ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report (2022). The department also offers professional master’s programs in both HF/HCI and industrial-organizational psychology. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative department of internationally recognized faculty in an environment that promotes research and scholarship. They will have numerous opportunities for collaboration within the department, across the university, and with the Texas Medical Center and the broader Houston area.
Application Process: To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 31, 2024. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should use the application portal http://apply.interfolio.com/156039 to provide:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement (3 pages max)
- Teaching statement, including evidence of teaching effectiveness and courses you could teach at both the graduate and undergraduate levels (2 pages max)
- Description of how you would contribute to developing a diverse and inclusive learning community at Rice through your teaching, research, and/or service (2 pages max)
- Description including evidence of how your research bridges at least two of our program areas (1-page max)
- Three representative reprints
- Three letters of recommendation
About Rice University: Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s vibrant Museum District. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools, with a student body of approximately 4,500 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Rice University ranks among the top 20 in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Universities and Forbes’ list of America’s Best Colleges, recognized for its strong academic programs, research excellence, and commitment to undergraduate teaching. Rice University’s endowment ranks among the top 25 of all U.S. universities.
For more details about our department, please visit https://psychology.rice.edu/.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
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