Job Summary

Position Title: Lecturer

Position Duties: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY invites applications for a Lecturer in the Cognitive Science Department. This position will prepare and teach relevant undergraduate and graduate courses, including psychology courses, during the academic year, as needed.

Specifically, the lecturer will perform the following duties:

• Teach undergraduate and graduate psychology courses;
• Conduct research, which includes submitting proposals and writing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals;
• Advise undergraduate and graduate students in their curriculum;
• Advise and mentor undergraduate, graduate students, and postdocs in research; and
• Serve on relevant Departmental committees.

Travel is not a requirement of the position. From time to time, the incumbent may have the opportunity to travel to conferences and professional events, but this is not required.

This position may also teach the following courses, among other courses:

• PSYC 4330 - Cognitive Neuroscience: This survey course is intended as an introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience. The topics covered will focus on exploring the neural underpinnings for cognitive processes, such as sensation, language, attention, motor control, executive functions, social communication, emotions, consciousness, and learning/memory. Basic aspects of nervous system function and neuroanatomy, brain development/evolution, structural and functional imaging techniques, and other research methods used in Cognitive Neuroscience will be discussed.

• PSYC 4370: Cognitive Psychology: The focus of this course is on the flow of information from sensory input to retrieval from long-term memory. Within this framework, topics such as mnemonics, pattern recognition, attention, computer simulation, reasoning, and the relationship between culture and thought are discussed.

• PSYC 4410: Sensation & Perception: This course will focus on the physiological and neural mechanisms underlying sensation (sight, hearing, and touch), the qualitative aspects of human perceptual experience, and how perception and action are interconnected. Color perception, object recognition, space and motion perception, and perception and action are all examined.


Requirements: Ph.D. in Psychology, Science and Technology Studies, or a related scientific field.

Rate of Pay: $67,920 per year

Name of Employer: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Position Location: Troy, New York

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $67,920 per year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload the following:

• CV
• cover letter
• evidence of effective teaching 

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Who we are

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

Job Summary

The Department of Cognitive Science in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute invites applications for a full-time Lecturer position beginning Fall 2026. This position is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and institutional needs.

We seek candidates to teach and help develop core undergraduate courses in cognitive science, with an emphasis on introductory-level instruction. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering foundational coursework that serves students across the Institute. While the primary teaching responsibility is in introductory cognitive science, the ability to contribute to the department’s introductory linguistics offerings—particularly as they intersect with Cognitive Science—is welcomed but not required.

We encourage applicants whose academic background and teaching experience reflect a strong grounding in psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, or cognitive systems.

Candidates must hold a terminal degree or foreign degree equivalent by the time of appointment and have demonstrated experience teaching at the college level. Evidence of effective teaching, and the ability to demonstrate, through accomplishment, promise of academic, scholarly and/or research achievement in their specialty is required.

The Department of Cognitive Science at RPI is known for its teaching and research in areas including computational cognitive modeling, artificial intelligence, human and machine reasoning, computational linguistics, perception and action, cognitive robotics, and synthetic characters.

Shift

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring amount: $64,890

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts at https://careers.rpi.edu/en-us/job/495590 to create a brief online profile with contact information for three (3) professional references. Please be ready to upload the following: 

• Cover letter (please use the link for "letter of interest")
• Curriculum Vitae
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness
  • this could be course evaluations, surveys, feedback, or anything else that speaks to your ability to teach effectively.
  • In the absence of this type of documentation, please upload a statement of your teaching approach
• Statement of research
• Statement describing your contributions to a welcoming and inclusive learning community.

You may disregard the supporting documents links. 

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Questions (not applications) may be directed to search chair Prof. Brett Fajen at fajenb@rpi.edu

Applications received by December 15, 2025 will receive first consideration.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is pleased to invite applications for ANTICIPATED Adjunct, Lecturer, Sr. Lecturer, and Professor of Practice openings in several areas. These appointments may be made for one to three years, and are renewable, contingent upon available funding, enrollment, satisfactory performance, and the business needs of the School of Engineering. Adjunct appointments are made for a single semester. All appointments are renewable. All appointments are contingent upon sufficient enrollment.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have a terminal degree in an area related to the subject matter of their teaching.  Candidates must be able to provide evidence of effective teaching or instruction.

An Adjunct classification is a non-tenured temporary academic appointment. An Adjunct Faculty must have the prerequisite academic teaching experience and credentials in the course subject area and discipline.

A Lecturer must demonstrate expertise and/or experience in a specific academic course subject, academic discipline area, and must have had prior substantive teaching experience and/or experience as a practicing professional at a senior level. A Sr. Lecturer must also have attained a significant level of scholarly and/or research activity and/or funding.

A Professor of Practice has obtained unique professional experience, has distinguished research, and/or has performed at an executive or officer level, and has made a significant impact within a subject matter or discipline in a field important to Rensselaer’s research and academic programs. A Professor of Practice is expected to have substantial leadership experience of at least (10-15 years) and generally a national or international reputation for excellence in their field of expertise.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants must be skilled communicators in multiple settings and methods, including teaching, presenting, writing, and electronic communications
Proficient in current electronic devices and personal computing technology

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a short profile, and contact information for three referees.  Please be ready to upload your current Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter, evidence of effective teaching and a statement of diversity.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu 

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis Spring 2026.

Pay Transparency Data

Expected hiring ranges:  

1. Adjunct: $3,700-$8,500 per semester
2. Part-time Lecturer: $40,000-$47,750per academic year
3. Full time Lecturer: $80,000-$95,000 per academic year
4. Full Time Sr. Lecturer: $92,000-$106,000 per academic year
5. Full Time Professor of Practice: $96,000 - $120,000 academic year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, AND an IBM Quantum One system

Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, three astronauts, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is pleased to invite applications for anticipated openings for Adjunct, Lecturer, Sr. Lecturer, and Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture. These appointments may be made for one to three years, and are renewable, contingent upon available funding, enrollment, satisfactory performance, and the business needs of the School of Architecture. Adjunct appointments are made for a single semester. 

 All appointments are contingent upon enrollment and are renewable.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have a terminal degree in an area related to the subject matter of their teaching.  Candidates must be able to provide evidence of effective teaching or instruction.

An Adjunct classification is a non-tenured temporary academic appointment. An Adjunct Faculty must have the prerequisite academic teaching experience and credentials in the course subject area and discipline.

A Lecturer must demonstrate expertise and/or experience in a specific academic course subject, academic discipline area, and must have had prior substantive teaching experience and/or experience as a practicing professional at a senior level. A Sr. Lecturer must also have attained a significant level of scholarly and/or research activity and/or funding.

A Professor of Practice has obtained unique professional experience, has distinguished research, and/or has performed at an executive or officer level, and has made a significant impact within a subject matter or discipline in a field important to Rensselaer’s research and academic programs. A Professor of Practice is expected to have substantial leadership experience of at least (10-15 years) and generally a national or international reputation for excellence in their field of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants must be skilled communicators in multiple settings and methods, including teaching, presenting, writing, and electronic communications
Proficient in current electronic devices and personal computing technology

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a short profile, and contact information for three referees.  Please be ready to upload your current Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter, evidence of effective teaching and a statement of diversity.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu 

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis for Spring 2026 appointments  

Expected hiring ranges:  

1. Adjunct:  $8000-18000 per semester
2. Full time Lecturer: $69000 - 75000 per academic year
3. Full Time Sr. Lecturer: $80000-85000 per academic year
4. Full Time Professor of Practice: $85000 - 105000 per academic year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Join Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's dynamic global community of changemaker including some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity.

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and an IBM Quantum One computer - the first university-based quantum computer in the U.S. 

Job Summary

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is pleased to invite applications for part time and/or fixed term Adjunct and Lecturer openings in several areas. These appointments may be made for one to three years, and are renewable, contingent upon available funding, enrollment, satisfactory performance, and the business needs of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Adjunct appointments are made for a single semester. All appointments are renewable.

Minimum Qualifications

All candidates must have a relevant terminal degree.

An Adjunct classification is a non-tenured temporary academic appointment. An Adjunct Faculty must have the prerequisite academic teaching experience and credentials in the course subject area and discipline.

A Lecturer must demonstrate expertise and/or experience in a specific academic course subject, academic discipline area, and must have had prior substantive teaching experience and/or experience as a practicing professional at a senior level.

A Sr. Lecturer must also have attained a significant level of scholarly and/or research activity and/or funding.

A Professor of Practice has obtained unique professional experience, has distinguished research, and/or has performed at an executive or officer level, and has made a significant impact within a subject matter or discipline in a field important to Rensselaer’s research and academic programs. A Professor of Practice is expected to have substantial leadership experience of at least (10-15 years) and generally a national or international reputation for excellence in their field of expertise.

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants must be skilled communicators in multiple settings and methods, including teaching, presenting, writing, and electronic communications

Proficient in current electronic devices and personal computing technology

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range:

• Adjunct:  $6000 - $7000 per semester
• Lecturer:  $50,000 - 73,000 per academic year
• Sr. Lecturer: $60,000 - 80,000 per academic year
• Professor of Practice: $70,000 - $90,000 per academic year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the rank, discipline, available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Rensselaer is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. RPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.

Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Join Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's dynamic global community of changemaker including some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity.

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and an IBM Quantum One computer - the first university-based quantum computer in the U.S. 

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is pleased to invite applications for Adjunct, Lecturer, Sr. Lecturer, and Professor of Practice anticipated openings in several areas. These appointments may be made for one to three years, and are renewable, contingent upon available funding, enrollment, satisfactory performance, and the business needs of the School of Science. Adjunct appointments are made for a single semester. All appointments are contingent upon enrollment and are renewable.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have a terminal degree in an area related to the subject matter of their teaching.  Candidates must be able to provide evidence of effective teaching or instruction.

An Adjunct classification is a non-tenured temporary academic appointment. An Adjunct Faculty must have the prerequisite academic teaching experience and credentials in the course subject area and discipline.

A Lecturer must demonstrate expertise and/or experience in a specific academic course subject, academic discipline area, and must have had prior substantive teaching experience and/or experience as a practicing professional at a senior level. A Sr. Lecturer must also have attained a significant level of scholarly and/or research activity and/or funding.

A Professor of Practice has obtained unique professional experience, has distinguished research, and/or has performed at an executive or officer level, and has made a significant impact within a subject matter or discipline in a field important to Rensselaer’s research and academic programs. A Professor of Practice is expected to have substantial leadership experience of at least (10-15 years) and generally a national or international reputation for excellence in their field of expertise.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants must be skilled communicators in multiple settings and methods, including teaching, presenting, writing, and electronic communications
Proficient in current electronic devices and personal computing technology

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a short profile, and contact information for three referees.  Please be ready to upload your current Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter, evidence of effective teaching and a statement of diversity.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu 

Expected hiring ranges:  

• Adjunct: $7,000- $14,000 per semester
• Full time Lecturer: $60,000 - $ 85,000 per academic year
• Full Time Sr. Lecturer: $80,000 – $110,000  per academic year
• Full Time Professor of Practice: $115,000- $130,000 academic year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the specific discipline in which the selected candidate will teach, the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis for Spring 2026.

Rensselaer is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.