Available positions

The Department of Psychology (Faculty of Arts) of the University of Waterloo invites applications for one full-time tenure track position at the Assistant Professor rank in Psychology, with the area open. The candidate’s research must focus on applying quantitative methods to problems of social relevance for children and families.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Psychology or related area, and a demonstrated record of published research. Applicants will be evaluated on their potential to (1) establish a research program that applies quantitative methods to answer their own research questions related to problems of social relevance for children and families, and (2) collaborate with students and faculty as a methodologist. Additionally, applicants will be evaluated on their potential to (3) excel in teaching advanced research methods and statistics (e.g., longitudinal modelling, meta-analysis, data integration, machine learning, computational modeling) at the graduate and undergraduate level. A track record of using open science practices is expected.

Applications from candidates who can fit into, or across, any of the department’s six areas, Clinical, Cognitive, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental, Industrial-Organizational, and Social, will be considered. Explicit credentialling as a quantitative methodologist is not required. If you use quantitative methods to answer research questions related to problems affecting children and families and you are prepared to train and work with others in applying such methods in their research, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities will include a commitment to a collaborative and interdisciplinary applied research program highlighted by quantitative methods; graduate and undergraduate teaching; supervision of graduate and undergraduate student research; and participation in Department and University service. The salary range for this position at the Assistant Professor rank is $90,000 to $120,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Now is a particularly exciting time to join the Department of Psychology as we have recently hired six new faculty, including a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Developmental Science and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Social Psychology. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, active cohort of early career and senior scholars. Our collaborative, inclusive research community welcomes diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas, so that all scholars can feel welcome, heard, and supported to do their best work.

The anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2025. The closing date for receipt of applications is February 26, 2025. Applicants should electronically submit one attachment with a cover letter noting their ideal area(s) in the department to be placed, their curriculum vitae, and statements of research interest (maximum 2 pages), teaching interest (maximum 1 page), the candidate’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (maximum 1 page), reprints or preprints of four recent papers, and the names and contact information for three referees (including their email addresses) to: psycjobs@uwaterloo.ca. Letters of recommendation are not required for the initial application. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. At Waterloo, you will have the opportunity to work across disciplines and collaborate with an international community of scholars and a diverse student body, situated in a rapidly growing community that has been termed a “hub of innovation.”

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, or any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Dr. Heather Henderson, Chair, Department of Psychology, hhenderson@uwaterloo.ca

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.   
 

Postdoctoral Position in Cognitive Science at the University of Waterloo

The cognition group at the University of Waterloo Department of Psychology is inviting applications for one or more post-doctoral fellows. The position will provide significant autonomy for the fellow(s) to develop an independent research program that intersects with the interests of one or more scholars in the Waterloo cognitive and behavioural science community, which may include but need not be limited to Dr. Clara Colombatto, Dr. Jonathan Fugelsang, Dr. Sam Johnson, Dr. Derek Koehler, and Dr. Evan Risko. We are considering candidates with existing funding (e.g., SSHRC or NSERC fellowships) as well as those who would require funding directly from their Waterloo PI.

The fellow(s) will join an exciting departmental community of cognitive and behavioural scientists working in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social psychology. Researchers in our group are especially focused on decision-making, reasoning, learning, memory, attention, perception, metacognition, and how these processes interface with other parts of the mind. We are seeking qualified individuals to collaborate on the development of new and exciting projects in any (or all) of these areas as well as applications into topics such as education, human-AI interaction, and misinformation. Research tools available in the labs include eye tracking, psychophysiological recording, video recording, and virtual reality. The fellow will have the opportunity to forge ties not only with other Psychology faculty but with researchers across the University with shared interests in cognitive and behavioural sciences, such as scholars in economics, management sciences, philosophy, or our world-leading computer science and engineering departments. In addition to conducting and disseminating research, the successful candidate will also have opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate student researchers.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in a field of cognitive or behavioural science (e.g., Psychology, Philosophy, Computer Science, Economics, Marketing), a strong record of research productivity, strong technical skills (e.g., statistics, programming), and a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member. We aim to build a team with diverse expertise; thus, applicants from the full range of methodological backgrounds are encouraged, including lab or field experiments, computational modelling, eye tracking, psychophysiological recording, virtual reality, econometrics, natural language processing, or ethnography.  For more information on postdoctoral studies and on the University of Waterloo, see the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Website. 

This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning no later than May 1, 2024, and until the position is filled (i.e., if this ad is still live). Start date is flexible, with September 2024 as an ideal. For inquiries, please email Sam Johnson (samuel.johnson@uwaterloo.ca).To apply, please send your CV, the expected date of availability, a short statement of research interests and experience, and contact information for three referees to dicelab@uwaterloo.ca. 

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations. 

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. 

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Sam Johnson.

Join a groundbreaking research team at the University of Waterloo:

Post-Doctoral Fellow in Computational Social Science and Judgment Across Cultures

Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Location: University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (Hybrid work arrangement possible)

Start Date: Winter 2025

Salary: $62,000 per annum (negotiable based on experience) and standard benefits as per University of Waterloo policies (see University of Waterloo Benefits).

Duration: One-year contract with a strong expectation of renewal pending satisfactory performance

Project Overview: We invite applications for a post-doctoral fellow to join an exciting and transformative research project exploring wisdom and judgment across cultures. Under the supervision of Professors Igor Grossmann and Sam Johnson, and in collaboration with the multinational Wise Judgment Consortium, this position offers a unique opportunity to work with leading scholars from universities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas (incl. Thomas Hills, Cendri Hutcherson, and Falk Lieder).

About the Project: Our interdisciplinary research integrates insights from psychology, linguistics, computer science, and cultural studies to address a critical gap in understanding cultural influences on decision-making.

Key Objectives:

• Cross-Cultural Analysis: Systematically examine how individuals across various cultures and religions use a range of wisdom-related decision-making strategies.
• Model Development: Create a comprehensive model of wise decision-making that reflects the complexity and cultural diversity of real-world scenarios.

Our project aims to use cutting-edge Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze rich text data and psychometrics tools to survey responses from a diverse range of cultures. By understanding the adaptive wisdom applied in everyday life, our research aims to develop culturally-grounded decision-making models that can enhance societal flourishing.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) and data analysis on rich texts from diverse cultures, focusing on life challenges and judgment.
• Collaborate on developing comprehensive models of wise decision-making that reflect the complexity and cultural diversity of real-world scenarios.
• We provide rich opportunities for collaboration and exploration of additional questions with the present data and pursue related projects with team leaders.

Who We’re Looking For:

• A PhD in social sciences, linguistics, psychology, computer science, or a related computational discipline.
• Experience in computational social science, particularly NLP.
• A passion for interdisciplinary research and a keen interest in exploring cultural dimensions of decision-making.

Why Join Us:

• Top Team: Work with renowned experts from top universities worldwide.
• Cutting-Edge Research: Engage with state-of-the-art methodologies and tools.
• Global Impact: Contribute to research with aiming to shed light on cultural diversity in decision-making.
• Professional Growth: Access opportunities for publishing, presenting at international conferences, and networking with leading researchers.
• Flexible Work Environment: Benefit from a hybrid work arrangement in Canada, allowing for a balance of on-campus and remote work.
• Vibrant Community: Enjoy the dynamic academic environment at the University of Waterloo and the supportive resources available for professional development.

Equity Statement: "All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements and the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) mandates."

Federal Law Compliance: Applicants must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada” OR, “I am not a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada.”

Application Process: All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a deadline of December 1, 2024 (rolling basis thereafter).

To Apply: Please submit your application, including a cover letter, CV, and references, to the Wisdom and Culture Lab.

Join us in pioneering a new understanding of wise decision-making that transcends cultural boundaries. Apply today