Job Description

Date Posted: 9/30/2024

The Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration at Soka University of America (SUA) invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology beginning August 1st, 2025 and continuing until May 31st, 2026. Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in any subfield of Psychology. The successful candidate will demonstrate their ability to excite and engage classes of 16 or fewer students, to develop a productive program of research and scholarship, and to engage in service.

Responsibilities

As part of a five-course annual teaching load, candidates will be expected to teach Statistics as well as Personality and/or Disorders. In addition, candidates are welcome to offer any of the following courses: Learning, Children’s Development, Health, Industrial and Organizational Behavior, Therapies, and Emotion. Other course topics in Psychology that complement and broaden the existing catalog of courses in Psychology will also be considered. The successful applicant will normally teach three to four psychology courses as well as one or two courses in our interdisciplinary general education program, for example, Core 1, Core 2, Modes of Inquiry, Pacific Basin, American Experience, and/or Learning Cluster (see our Undergraduate Catalog).

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong background in teaching and scholarship as well as evidence of ongoing research activity. The candidate should describe a plan to maintain an active research program involving undergraduates. SUA provides resources to support faculty research year-round with undergraduates through institutional research funds and student research assistantships. All SUA graduates complete a Capstone (senior thesis), and successful applicants will demonstrate their ability to mentor student Capstones.

Qualifications

Applicants will hold a PhD in Psychology.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds, especially regarding socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Soka University of America

Soka University of America (SUA), located in Aliso Viejo, California, is a private liberal arts college founded on the principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life. It offers a unique and globally focused education with a commitment to fostering a learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural understanding. SUA’s small student body, approximately 450 undergraduates, ensures personalized attention and a close-knit academic community. The university’s curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and incorporates a strong international perspective, requiring students to study abroad for a semester. Faculty members at SUA have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary teaching and research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong commitment to faculty development and academic freedom. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture, serene environment, and a culture that values dialogue, diversity, and the holistic development of its students.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials: (1) Letter of application addressing the required qualifications; (2) A curriculum vitae; (3) A teaching statement that describes their teaching experience in relevant courses, specifically a philosophy that should reflect how the candidate would address teaching needs in a liberal arts environment and address diverse identities and viewpoints (maximum two pages, single-spaced); (4) Statement of research interests and plan, detailing how undergraduate students will be involved (maximum two pages, single-spaced); and (5) three letters of reference, uploaded by the referee directly via Interfolio.

SUA welcomes all candidates and encourages those from historically disadvantaged communities.

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Employment is contingent on the completion of a successful background check.

Benefits and Salary:

SUA offers an excellent benefits package for full-time faculty that includes medical, dental, vision, and retirement. The salary range for this position is $73,000 - $83,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Please apply by submitting your application through Interfolio using this link: 

Email: facultyrecruiting@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal-opportunity employer.

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