Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science of Language

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.

Occidental Colleges 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 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 Colleges 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.

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 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.

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 Colleges 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: // 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 ().

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.

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