Behavior Analysis Assistant Professor

Overview

The Department of Psychology at Utah State University seeks candidates for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Behavior Analysis. We seek to recruit a researcher with a proven track record of conducting contingency management interventions targeting health-related behavior broadly conceived, including addictive behaviors (e.g., substance use disorders, alcohol misuse, smoking, problematic gambling, problematic internet use) and other health domains (e.g., adherence to diabetes monitoring and treatment, exercise, etc.).

The position is located on USU’s main campus in Logan, Utah. This position is not eligible for remote work.

This is a tenure-track nine-month, academic year appointment anticipated to begin in August 2027. Review of applications will begin October 26, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Timothy Shahan ([email protected]).

Responsibilities

• Conduct and disseminate research (e.g., establish a research program, publish in peer-reviewed journals).
• Generate external funding to support your research program (e.g., via government institutions, private foundations, or regional/local agencies).
• Teach graduate and/or undergraduate classes within areas of expertise and specialization or department needs (including didactic/classroom instruction and applied supervision).
• Mentor doctoral students within the behavior analysis specialization (e.g., chair dissertation committees, direct a research lab that involves graduate students, support students in progressing toward graduation).
• Participate in specialization and department governance (e.g., serve on the behavior analysis specialization steering committee, contribute to departmental committees).
• Contribute service to the department, college, university, and profession.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Psychology or related field with relevant training in behavior analysis
• Evidence of excellence in the ability to conduct and disseminate impactful research on health related behavior
• Evidence of the ability to effectively teach and mentor students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A research program focused on contingency management for health-related behavior broadly conceived that complements existing NIH-funded research programs within the behavior analysis program and the department while fostering collaborations across behavioral health domains throughout the college
• A translational research program strongly bridging basic and applied areas of behavior analysis
• Have interest in and ability to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in basic and advanced behavior analysis, addictions, contingency management, and behavior modification
• Demonstrated potential to engage undergraduate and graduate students in research, professional, clinical, community-engaged, or other experiential opportunities that support their academic and career development.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

A curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Up to three examples of scholarly work to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Names and contact information for three (3) professional references to be entered in the Candidate Profile

A cover letter describing your qualifications for this position to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.*

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Psychology at Utah State University is a research-intensive department within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, with strengths spanning basic, translational, and applied psychological science. The department is entering a period of significant faculty growth, with five tenure-track faculty hires planned across four searches in 2026–27.

The department includes more than 30 faculty and offers doctoral training through four Ph.D. specializations: Behavior Analysis, Brain and Cognition, Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology. Department faculty also contribute to USU’s interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Neuroscience. At the undergraduate level, the department offers B.S. degrees in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, as well as an award-winning online Psychology program. The department also offers a distance-learning M.Ed. in Professional School Counseling.

Faculty maintain active programs of research supported by federal and other external funding and collaborate extensively within the department, across the college, and throughout the university. Existing collaborations connect Psychology faculty with colleagues in areas including biology, human development and family studies, special education and rehabilitation counseling, nursing, speech and hearing sciences, kinesiology, economics, mathematics and statistics, sociology, and natural resources. The department values research that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries and creates opportunities for collaboration in areas such as behavioral and mental health, neuroscience, health and aging, intervention science, and emerging health technologies.

The department is committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and scholarship, and service to communities in Utah and beyond. Faculty joining the department during this period of growth will have opportunities to help shape new research collaborations, academic programs, and training initiatives while contributing to established programs with strong records of student mentorship, research productivity, and professional impact.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is dedicated to excellence in research, teaching, and service activities that advance education, improve health and well-being, and elevate human potential across the lifespan. The college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and impactful, student-focused graduate and undergraduate education. The college is consistently ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top Graduate Colleges of Education in the country, ranking among the top 30 public institutions of higher education in 2026 and 1st in the state of Utah since 2000. The college’s programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center, Center for the School of the Future, Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice, and National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management. Faculty, students, and staff within the college collaborate with a broad range of community partners to facilitate community-engaged research and provide transformative experiential learning opportunities. Through dedicated teaching, innovative research, and meaningful engagement the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences advances education, health, and well-being, enriching the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Utah.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected]. 

*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026