Assistant Professor

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina ( UNC) at Chapel Hill invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the field of Behavioral & Integrative Neuroscience to begin July 2026.

The successful applicant will join the Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience Division, which has a strong foundation in cellular mechanisms of substance use and addiction. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in the use of machine learning and computational sciences for analyses of functional neuronal networks and cellular mechanisms driving behavior and behavioral responses to external stimuli including drugs and stress, and related development of databases for the scientific community. Examples include application of sophisticated statistical and theoretical tools to large datasets generated by technologies such as fMRI, EEG, ERP, calcium imaging, transcriptomics/proteomics, DeepLabCut, and electrophysiology, in either human and/or animal studies.

The primary purpose of the Psychology and Neuroscience Department is to provide excellent education, research and service in the field. This goal breaks down into four important components: 1) to teach psychology and neuroscience to undergraduates in a manner that will introduce them vigorously to its broad scope; 2) to offer scientific and professional training to graduate students in the areas of behavioral and integrative neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, developmental, quantitative, and social psychology; 3) to carry out cutting-edge research in these areas, and 4) to provide consulting and administrative support services to the science and profession of psychology as well as to the university, the community, the state, and the nation.

The Department consists of six programs: behavioral and integrative neuroscience; clinical psychology; cognitive psychology; developmental psychology; quantitative psychology, and social psychology. Each program is designed to acquaint the student thoroughly with the theoretical and research content of the specialty and to provide training in the research skills needed to become a competent and creative investigator. In addition, the programs focus on the development of appropriate professional skills.

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience currently ranks 2nd in the College in grant funding with over $15 million annually in awarded grants and approximately $20 million annually in expenditures from all funds. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience has the largest undergraduate major in the College of Arts and Sciences with approximately 1900 majors, and one of the largest graduate Ph.D. programs with approximately 140 graduate students. The Department is also home to the UNC Psychology and Neuroscience Community Clinic, which provides therapeutic treatment and assessment services to a variety of constituencies on campus and in the community.

Primary responsibilities of the position will be to establish a productive, externally-funded research program in data analytics applied to questions and problems in behavioral and integrative neuroscience. Responsibilities also include teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as mentorship of trainees and professional service activities at the levels of department, university, and broader scientific communities.

PhD or equivalent degree in the area of Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, or a related field.

Evidence of expertise in creating and/or analyzing large datasets for understanding of neural mechanisms of behavior is desired. We seek candidates with an excellent record of research productivity, the potential to develop an independent, externally-funded, and interdisciplinary research program, and a commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Please include names and contact information for three letters of reference with the application. A fourth letter will be requested upon interview invitation.

Please use the 'Research Statement' document option to upload research, teaching, and service statements

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.