Assistant Professor; Research & Education

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so, and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Job Number:

Department:
Psychology

Employment type:

Open‑Ended/Permanent – Full Time

Closing date: 30‑Aug‑2026, 10:59:00 PM

The Department of Psychology is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence and interdisciplinarity across the breadth of psychological and behavioural science. The Department’s research groupings reflect our major areas of activity:
Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Science, and Quantitative Social Psychology. Each research group also leads a taught master’s programme, extending our research strengths into the next generation. In addition, the Department houses several university research centres in neurodiversity and development, vision and visual cognition, learning and memory, and behavioural science underpinning our collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to large scale challenges. The department also has strong links with other centres and institutes across the University including the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, the Institute of Advanced Study, the Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, the Biophysical Sciences Institute, and the Centre for Research into Inner Experience.

Our vibrant research culture features a departmental weekly research seminar series, regular training opportunities, and a commitment to open science.

The Department houses extensive research facilities, including dedicated EEG, TMS, tDCS, fNIRS, eye tracking, virtual reality, and psychophysiology labs, a whole‑body motion capture lab, a fully equipped molecular diagnostics lab, an echo‑attenuated chamber, and a suite of observation labs. All staff have access across the full range of research facilities, supported by award‑winning IT staff and mechanical technicians.

We offer prestigious undergraduate programmes such as Psychology (C800) and Psychological and Behavioural Science (C807), and we plan to launch a BPS‑accredited MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme. We are committed to research‑led and small group teaching and embrace active pedagogy.

This academic post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and teaching, while providing unrivalled opportunities for career progression within a progressive institution.

Assistant Professors on the Education and Research track are expected to focus on research and teaching. They are also expected to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, support the department and discipline, and contribute to the wider student experience.

Academic colleagues are supported to publish excellent research with a focus on high‑quality outputs rather than quantity. We aim to support your research through resources to attend conferences, generous research leave, dedicated grant‑writing support, and a designated mentor.

Durham University is committed to ensuring outstanding teaching quality, stimulating learning environments, and innovative curricula for all our students. You will be supported to develop your teaching expertise and skills.

We offer a reduced probation period of one year for our Assistant Professors; thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.

• Conduct high‑quality, original, and rigorous research.
• Develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end‑user engagement.
• Play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, contribute to ongoing curriculum development, and support the design and delivery of high‑quality online and blended learning programmes using digital pedagogies and technologies.
• Cont…