Assistant Professor, Human Factors Psychology

Summary

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors at Michigan Technological University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Human Factors Psychology, beginning in August 2026.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment based on respect for all and academic excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

Teach in-person courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, related to human factors and applied cognitive science. Duties will include teaching two courses a semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate level that support our BS degrees in Psychology and Human Factors, and our graduate program in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors.

Other duties include developing courses in the candidate's area of specialty and participating in service to the department, university, and broader academic community. Candidates are expected to devote 40% of their effort to teaching, 40% to research, and 20% to academic service.

Integrate safety practices into daily activities and apply continuous improvement strategies to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, or a closely related field, with degree awarded by August 15, 2026.

Required Experience

Evidence of scholarly productivity (commensurate with experience level) with a research emphasis in any area of human factors and the potential to generate external grant funding for this work.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Post-doctoral research experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Ability to engage and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students in faculty-directed research.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Potential for excellence in teaching that incorporates active, student-centered approaches. We are particularly interested in candidates who have the potential to teach Engineering Psychology, Human Factors, and Attention.

Potential to support interdisciplinary research that is aligned with one of Michigan Tech's Research Institutes (ICC - Human-Centered Computing, Health Research Institute, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute).

Complements existing strengths in the Psychology and Human Factors department.

Experience writing grant applications.

Demonstrated success in working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following four required pieces of training; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

* Employee Safety Overview
* Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training
* Annual Data Security Training
* Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

9 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

Department Chair

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Full consideration will be given to applications received by October 3, 2025. Applications may be reviewed until the position is filled.

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:
* Curriculum Vitae
* Cover Letter
* Copy of transcript from institution awarding highest degree
* Names/contact information for three references willing to write letters of recommendation.
* Two additional separate statements addressing:
Teaching philosophy, skills, and experience
Research interests, skills, and a statement of current or future research plans
* A maximum of three reprints and/or preprints of published manuscripts
We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech.

Additional Information

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors offers BS undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Factors and MS and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Cognitive Science/Human Factors. Faculty interests typically bridge the space between applied and basic research, including attention, expertise, human-AI interaction, decision making, computational modeling, cognitive neuroscience, health and wellness, and training/education. Faculty also have frequent collaborations with other disciplines, including Kinesiology/Integrated Physiology, Computer Science, and Engineering.

Michigan Tech, ranked an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, attracts world-class faculty who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply. Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior, the Houghton community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members' partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at https://www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.