Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science of Language

POSITION SUMMARY

The Department of Cognitive Science at Occidental College invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science of Language with appointment to begin August 2026.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOALS

Occidental College’s Cognitive Science Department invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science. We seek someone whose research area is within the Cognitive Science of Language. Potential research areas include (but are not limited to) linguistics, bilingualism, neurolinguistics, language acquisition, linguistics of ASL (American Sign Language), computational linguistics, linguistic anthropology, culture and language, and / or language and thought.

Occidental faculty are committed teacher-scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, carry out research and creative work, and provide departmental, college-wide, and external service. In this position, your primary responsibilities will include the development and teaching of introductory and core courses in cognitive science, including courses in your area(s) of specialization, as well as to contribute to the College’s First-Year Seminar Program. You will also be responsible for producing scholarship commensurate with the requirements for tenure, and will be expected to develop a program of research that engages a diverse group of undergraduate students. You will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader college and disciplinary communities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D in Cognitive Science, Linguistics, or a related field by the start date of August 2026 demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinarity and to academic excellence in a diverse liberal arts environment a record of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to the level of appointment demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized social groups in the classroom and in research demonstrated commitment to the four cornerstones of the mission of the College : excellence, equity, community, and service

SALARY RANGE

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE : $90,000.00 - $100,000.00

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and / or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please apply via Interfolio : https : / / apply.interfolio.com / 175394

To be assured of full consideration, your application materials must be received by October 17, 2025.

You must submit a complete application package electronically to be considered.

This statement provides your unique perspective on your past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in your professional career. This should include your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable opportunities for learning and mentoring especially for students from marginalized and minoritized groups. The purpose of this statement is to help the department identify candidates who have professional experience, intellectual commitments, and / or willingness to engage in activities that could help the College contribute to its mission in these areas.

If you advance to the semi-finalist phase, you will be asked to have each of your three references submit a letter of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit should you move forward to this phase of the search. Do not submit these letters with your initial application.

Please direct all questions about the position to : cogs_search@oxy.edu .

The Department and College

The Cognitive Science Department is a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. We aim to provide all students who take our courses with the notion that science is an important mode of inquiry that complements other modes and has limits. We want our students to understand what the field is, the questions it deals with, how it approaches those questions, and the connection of those questions to the broader mission of the College.

Occidental College has a shared research space, the Mind and Brain Lab, shared by departmental faculty for conducting research. This space includes multiple testing rooms (some soundproofed) as well as a setup for EEG data acquisition. The College is also highly supportive of community-engaged research, and has a robust Center for Community-Based Learning.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes : excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https : / / www.oxy.edu / offices-services / humanresources / benefits-information.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources ( hr@oxy.edu ).

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal, state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.