Lecturer in Psychology

Department
The Department of Psychology, founded in 1974, is a leading research and teaching establishment, housed in its own buildings on the Heslington West Campus. We have an academic staff body of 48 and growing, supported by technical and administrative staff with an active community of graduate students and post-doctoral research fellows. Our research is internationally excellent, and consistently ranked in the top ten Psychology Departments in the UK (e.g., REF2021, Times Higher 2025, Complete University Guide 2025), with the quality of our outputs ranked 2nd in the UK and our research environment ranked as joint 1st in REF2021. For teaching, we consistently achieve outstanding NSS results (ranked 3rd overall for 2024/25). Staff morale is critically important to our successes, and equality, diversity and inclusivity are central pillars of all Departmental activities, as reflected by our Gold Athena Swan Award (renewed 2025).

We have our own world-leading research facilities on site, including a new stress laboratory for 2025/26, neuroimaging facilities at our York Neuroimaging Centre (being one of the few institutions in the UK to have OPM MEG capabilities), our recently launched Smart Data Donation Service with an associated growing research centre in online harms, infant testing facilities, virtual reality, high level sensory and perception laboratories, as well as excellent educational and health partnerships at local and national levels.

Role
We seek to appoint three Lecturers (on “Academic, Research and Teaching” contracts). Primarily, we are looking for outstanding candidates who will conduct cutting edge research that complements and extends existing research themes within the Department of Psychology, with established (or potential for) significant grant capture. At least one post will be prioritised towards research and teaching in cognitive, affective and/or social neuroscience. We are also keen to appoint individuals whose research has clear potential for (or has already demonstrated) societal impact. The candidate must also be able to contribute to teaching on our BPS-accredited BSc and MSci Psychology programmes and/or our MSc programmes, including project supervision in popular areas.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

• PhD in Psychology or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to contribute to relevant high-quality research, including demonstrated potential for 4* REF outputs.
• Experience of applying for and success with research funding.
• Experience of taking responsibility for, planning and delivering excellent teaching, learning, and supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate level, in areas of strategic need (e.g., children/adolescent/adult mental health and data science).

Interview date: to be confirmed.

General informal enquiries to Professor Lisa Henderson Head of Department (lisa-marie.henderson@york.ac.uk).

Research enquiries to Professor Harriet Over (harriet.over@york.ac.uk).

Teaching enquiries to Professor Paul Bishop (paul.bishop@york.ac.uk).

Procedural enquiries to PA to Head of Department (rebecca.connolly@york.ac.uk).

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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