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).