Assistant Professor tenure-track position in Psychology.- University of Virginia

The Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia invites candidates to apply for an Assistant Professor tenure-track position in psychology. We are seeking a candidate to join our vibrant research, teaching, and practice community and contribute to our collaborative culture. The appointment begins with the fall term of 2025, with a target start date in August, 2025.

We are seeking a candidate who is conducting cutting-edge research that incorporates the role of digital technologies in healthy development, broadly speaking, and the ways that generation and dissemination of digital programs can help support youth (especially adolescents and emerging adults). We are particularly interested in research that focuses on prevention or on health equity/disparities. Individuals can apply to have their primary area affiliation be in clinical, community, or developmental psychology, depending on their research area and training.

 Some examples of the research areas that would fit this position include:

  • Using digital technology to offer a program to youth (or people who work with youth) to prevent youth’s worsening mental health

  • Using digital technology to monitor youth’s health to detect early signs of problems (e.g., mobile sensing)

  • Using digital technology to identify or address disparities in the experience or management of youth’s mental health

  • Using digital technology to better understand social determinants of health in youth

  • The role of digital technology in contributing to or mitigating health disparities in youth

  • How youth engage with digital technology to resist oppression and reduce health disparities

  • Youth participatory action research (YPAR) focused on reducing health disparities that engages digital technology

  • How engaging with digital technology in childhood and/or adolescence influences adolescent and emerging adult mental health

  • Dissemination and implementation research to identify and overcome barriers to health promotion via digital technology in diverse child and adolescent communities

 This list is not exhaustive, and we encourage applicants to reach out with questions if they are unsure if their area of scholarship would fit.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants should hold a PhD by the position start date.

 Preferred Qualifications. We are seeking applicants with a PhD in clinical, developmental, or community psychology, or a related field. Degrees should be conferred by the position start date. Our department also values a strong publication record, engagement with and dissemination of research within and beyond the academy, evidence of pursuing grant funding, evidence of rigorous and transparent research practices, inclusive mentorship of students and effective teaching, as well as interest in providing a small amount of clinical supervision if applying to be part of the clinical area. In addition to seeking out external funding to support research endeavors, candidates will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, and be an effective mentor to graduate students. We particularly value candidates who can advance the university’s ambition to cultivate the most vibrant community in higher education to prepare students to be leaders in a diverse and globally connected world.

This position is partially supported by the UVa Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment (TYDE) Grand Challenge. The University of Virginia's 2030 plan recognizes Digital Technology and Society as a major societal challenge and an opportunity for multidisciplinary work that builds on our existing strengths. With this work, UVA will advance understanding of the role of digital technologies in healthy development, and the ways that generation and dissemination of digital programs can help address the youth mental health crisis. This initiative will catalyze and grow the expertise at UVA, and foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary community conducting cutting edge research about both the impact of digital technology on healthy and unhealthy youth development, and its potential to advance intervention and prevention solutions. In partnership, the Provost and the deans of various schools are making multiple coordinated faculty recruitments to strengthen this research community across the University. Recruits will receive support from the Provost and from their school, and will contribute to the development and implementation of the Digital Technology and Youth Development Initiative. This is part of a major Grand Challenges research investment of over $50M in Digital Technology and Society. 

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin October 15, 2024, and the search will remain open until filled.

Apply online at (link) and attach the following:

  • Cover Letter (2 page maximum) describing your interest and fit with the position, and your demonstrated past experience preparing students to be leaders in a diverse and globally connected world. In addition, please identify up to 3 manuscript citations which effectively reflect your research program.

  • Research Statement (4 pages maximum) describing your research and research trajectory.

  • Teaching Statement (2 pages maximum) describing your teaching and mentoring record and philosophy.

  • Curriculum Vitae.

  • Please provide the contact information for three people who can serve as references. References will only be contacted for candidates whose applications have advanced to a later round review.

 The university will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will also require an Education Verification (FSAKA).

For questions regarding the position, please contact Bethany Teachman, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, and Co-Director of the TYDE Grand Challenge, at bat5x@virginia.edu.

 UVA assists faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more please visit http://provost.virginia.edu/dual-career.

For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit http://uvacharge.virginia.edu/guide.html.

Evelyn Rodarte