Assistant Professor of Psychology & Child Development - Child Development (27/28) (San Luis Obispo)

The Psychology & Child Development Department

​​The Psychology & Child Development Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for two full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in Developmental Science - one with specialization in middle childhood development and one with specialization in infant and toddler development, to begin approximately August 12, 2027. 

​ Position 1: The Child Development program seeks to recruit a developmental scientist specializing in middle childhood (ages 6–12 years). This hiring area directly supports departmental, college, and university goals to advance research and teaching that address contemporary challenges and opportunities in child development. Middle childhood is a critical period for cognitive, social, and emotional growth, and our program aims to deepen its expertise in this age range to better serve our students, research mission, and community partnerships.

​We are particularly interested in candidates whose research addresses salient and evolving contexts of development during middle childhood, including but not limited to:

• ​Social identity formation, intergroup cognition, and the psychological impacts of systemic inequities: These areas are central to understanding how children develop attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to fairness, social justice, and mental health.

• ​Use and impacts of technology and media: We are seeking candidates whose research and expertise focuses on the way digital platforms shape children's learning, socialization, and well-being.

​ Position 2: We are seeking a developmental scientist with expertise in infant and toddler development. Area of specialization within this developmental period is open. The faculty member would contribute to faculty and student research on children’s learning and development, ensuring the department-affiliated Preschool Learning lab continues to serve as a hub for innovative scholarship and experiential learning.

​The ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to teaching excellence, university-level teaching experience, and evidence of professional activity that builds the foundation for a program of research and keeps them abreast of knowledge and developments within their discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with research specialization in child development among marginalized and underserved populations (including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, sexual and/or gender minority populations).

​The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in child development (e.g., Infant and Toddler Development, and Early and Middle Childhood Development). The candidate may also teach additional developmental courses (e.g., Children’s Development in Diverse Cultures, Developmental Psychology, Adolescence, Family Psychology), Research Methods, and/or upper-division courses on select topics in child development. New courses within the candidate’s area of specialization may also be proposed. 

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Human Development, or a related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate will be awarded prior to the start of the appointment.  
  • ​Position 1: Specialization in middle childhood development.
  • ​Position 2: Specialization in infant and toddler development.
• Evidence of potential for scholarly achievement in candidate’s area of specialization. 

• ​Demonstrated university teaching experience.

• ​Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.