Assistant Professor, Computational Approaches to Language - Cluster Hire

This position is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in the Department of Psychology at UW-Madison. The search is for a job candidate whose expertise bridges research on language learning, development, evolution, neuroscience, and/or instruction, with proficiency in computational methods included but not limited to deep learning and foundation models, natural language processing, connectionist approaches, Bayesian models, topics models, semantic analysis, high dimensional data analysis, learning analytics, and/or data mining.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a successful research program while making significant contributions to the undergraduate and graduate teaching missions of the department. The Department is a multi-disciplinary and highly collaborative environment. The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science, that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community. Our department is enhanced by members' diverse approaches, perspectives, and life experiences.

The tenure home for this position will be the Psychology Department, with potential joint appointments in other departments as indicated by the candidates' background and interests. This position is part of the Opening Doors Through Language: Access and Equity faculty hiring cluster. The goal of the cluster is to build on existing strengths in language research on campus by recruiting three new assistant professors whose interdisciplinary research programs and teaching expertise addresses language-related issues that influence societal access, disparities, and/or equity. Candidates should have an interest in collaborating with the cluster faculty and with colleagues in schools, centers, and training programs across campus. The other two positions have been filled (minority languages and/or dialects, sign language research).

Successful applicants will conduct scholarly research, teach graduate and undergraduate classes, mentor students, and provide service to the department, college, university, and academic community nationally or internationally. The general teaching load is 2-3 courses per year. The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college's commitment to equity among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
PhD in Psychology or related field by the time of the appointment

Candidates should demonstrate training in language research and computational methods; evidence of high-quality scholarly research; potential for securing external funding; experience in teaching/mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate level; interest in collaborating with other language researchers across departments at UW-Madison. Candidates should demonstrate evidence of creativity and excellence in teaching and scholarly research. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate experience with fostering or the ability to foster a teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive.

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

AUGUST 18, 2025

Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)

Madison is the state's capital city and is well known for offering a small town feel in a medium-sized city. It is a great place to raise a family and offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, stimulating cultural events, outstanding schools and outdoor recreation.

The Department of Psychology at UW-Madison is highly rated and is a leader in its field. The department is multidisciplinary and has a highly collaborative environment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our research, teaching and service.

In addition, the College of Letters & Science is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all of us - students, staff, and faculty - can thrive. Ours is a community in which we all are welcome. Most importantly, we strive to build a community in which all of us feel a great sense of belonging. There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms; diverse teams are more creative and successful than homogeneous ones. We are better when we are diverse and when we acknowledge, celebrate, and honor our diversity. In acknowledging and honoring our diversity, we also assume a responsibility to support and stand up for each other.

To apply, go to http://jobs.wisc.edu and search for PVL 308438. To begin the application process, please click on the 'Apply Now' button. Please upload 4 pdfs containing the following items: (1) Cover Letter (2) C.V. (3) Research Statement and Teaching/Mentoring Statement, and 4) Three representative publications. In addition, candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three references; each reference will receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference. References will be automatically contacted when application is submitted.

The deadline for ensuring full consideration is January 1, 2025; however, the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled. The appointment is expected to begin on August 18, 2025.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Jenny Saffran
jsaffran@wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Assistant Professor(FA040)

A48-COL OF LETTERS & SCIENCE/PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY

Faculty

308438-FA