Assistant Professor, Cognition

Department: Education & Social Policy

The Learning Sciences (LS) program at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) invites applications for a faculty position (assistant professor level) whose work advances understanding of cognition and learning broadly construed within and across contexts. SESP is an interdisciplinary school focused on understanding teaching, learning, development, and policy across the lifespan and institutions. The successful candidate will maintain a rigorous, externally funded research program on cognition and learning. We welcome applicants trained in learning sciences, psychology, education, cognition, and related disciplines who bring theoretical and empirical depth to these issues.

Candidates must have the capacity to teach and advise both undergraduate (especially in the Learning Sciences major) and graduate students in broad survey courses related to conceptual development and knowledge representations. Applicants with expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative approaches are welcome and we are especially interested in scholars who apply computational methods in their research.

Applicants should submit via the online system, a letter outlining their research program and teaching experience, a current CV, representative papers, and three contacts for letters of reference. Letters can be addressed to Carrie Tzou, Search Committee Chair. Questions can be directed to Jigbie Aguirre jigbie.aguirre@northwestern.edu.

Review of materials will begin on November 9, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials before that date. For more information about the School of Education and Social Policy, please visit http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/.

The expected base pay range for this position is $117,500-140,000

This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Research discretionary funding will also be provided. Summer salary, including from sponsored projects, may also be available.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Northwestern Benefits to learn more.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.