Psychology Professor | NYU Abu Dhabi

Job Description

The Division of Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track open-rank faculty position in Psychology, specialising in Social or Social-Developmental Psychology.

The search has a primary focus at the Assistant Professor level, although candidates at all academic ranks are encouraged to apply.

NYU Abu Dhabi seeks scholars whose research examines core social-psychological processes, incorporates developmental perspectives, or sits at the intersection of social and developmental psychology.

Employer: New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Division: Division of Science
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Position: Psychology Professor – Social / Social-Developmental Psychology
Academic Rank: Open Rank; primary focus on Assistant Professor
Appointment: Tenured / Tenure Track
Expected Start: 2027–2028 Academic Year
Full-Consideration Deadline: 1 December 2026

Psychology Professor Abu Dhabi – Position Overview

The successful candidate will join a research-active Psychology programme with access to advanced research infrastructure, faculty research funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities to work across NYU’s global academic network.

The position is particularly suited to scholars working in:

• Social Psychology.
• Social-Developmental Psychology.
• Developmental perspectives on social behaviour.
• Core social-psychological processes.
• Research connecting social and developmental psychology.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to high-impact research, excellent teaching, and mentoring within NYU Abu Dhabi’s internationally diverse academic community.

Research Profile

NYUAD is seeking candidates with a demonstrated record, or a clear trajectory, toward high-impact and internationally recognised research.

Relevant research may focus on:

• Core processes in Social Psychology.
• Social cognition.
• Social behaviour.
• Developmental influences on social processes.
• Social-developmental psychology.
• Interdisciplinary research connecting social, developmental, cognitive, or perceptual psychology.

Candidates should demonstrate the potential to build an ambitious and internationally visible research programme.

Research Environment

The successful candidate will have access to substantial research support, including a faculty research grant with personnel lines.

NYU Abu Dhabi also provides specialised facilities for behavioural, developmental, cognitive, social, and neuroscience research.

Neuroimaging and Multimodal Research Facilities

Research infrastructure includes an imaging centre equipped with:

• Siemens Prisma 3T MRI scanner.
• SQUID MEG system.
• OPM MEG system.

The facilities support multimodal data acquisition, including:

• MEG + EEG.
• MEG + eye tracking.
• fMRI + EEG.

Dedicated technical staff support research activities.

High Performance Computing

Researchers also have access to a High Performance Computing facility with more than 6,400 computing cores.

This infrastructure can support computationally intensive research and large-scale data analysis.

Behavioural Research Facilities

NYUAD provides behavioural testing facilities equipped with technologies including:

• Standalone EEG systems.
• Eye tracking.
• Virtual reality.
• Physiological measurements.
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR).
• Heart-rate measurement.
• Robotics.
• Social Psychology experimental rooms.

Child Observation Laboratory

Researchers working in developmental and social-developmental psychology can also access a state-of-the-art Child Observation Lab.

The facility includes:

• Video recording technology.
• Audio recording technology.
• One-way observation window.
• Connected control room.

This infrastructure provides direct support for researchers working across developmental and social-developmental areas.

Interdisciplinary Research

Faculty members will have opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and across NYU’s global campus network.

The successful candidate may work with colleagues at:

• NYU Abu Dhabi.
• NYU New York.
• NYU Shanghai.
• Other NYU global academic locations.

The position therefore provides opportunities for international and interdisciplinary research collaboration.

Teaching and Mentoring

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in:

• University teaching.
• Student mentoring.
• Supporting a diverse undergraduate student population.

The successful candidate will contribute to the intellectual and academic development of students within NYUAD’s international liberal arts and research environment.

Required Qualification

Applicants must hold a:

• PhD in Psychology or a closely related field.

Research Requirement

Candidates should demonstrate:

• An established record or clear trajectory toward high-impact research.
• Potential for internationally recognised scholarship.
• A coherent and ambitious research programme.

Teaching Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Commitment to teaching excellence.
• Commitment to effective student mentoring.
• Ability to work with a highly international and diverse undergraduate population.

About New York University Abu Dhabi

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a comprehensive liberal arts and research campus operated by New York University in the United Arab Emirates.

NYUAD integrates undergraduate education across:

• Sciences.
• Engineering.
• Social Sciences.
• Humanities.
• Arts.

with advanced research and scholarship.

Students at NYU Abu Dhabi come from more than 120 countries and speak more than 100 languages.

Together with NYU’s campuses in New York and Shanghai, NYU Abu Dhabi forms part of NYU’s global university network.

Graduate Education at NYUAD

Graduate education is a growing area at NYU Abu Dhabi.

The University states that its current graduate population exceeds 100 students, with further expansion anticipated as new doctoral programmes are developed.

Working at NYU Abu Dhabi

NYUAD provides a comprehensive faculty and academic staff benefits package.

The vacancy highlights support including:

• Generous relocation allowance.
• Educational assistance for dependants.
• Access to health and wellness services.
• Support for ambitious research projects.
• Support for innovative teaching.
• Support for dual-career families.

Specific benefits and eligibility should be confirmed through NYU Abu Dhabi’s official employment information.

Equal Opportunity and Academic Community

NYUAD states that it is committed to:

• Non-discrimination.
• Anti-harassment.
• Dignity.
• Mutual respect.
• Equal access and opportunity.
• Academic excellence.

Applications are welcomed from qualified candidates.

In line with UAE regulations, Emirati candidates are encouraged to apply.

Recommended Professional Development

🎓 Recommended Course: Psychological Research Specialization

This vacancy places substantial emphasis on high-impact psychological research, rigorous research design, scholarly publication, and the development of an internationally recognised research programme.

The Psychological Research Specialization from the American Psychological Association provides structured professional development related to psychological research methods and research practice.

👉 Explore the Psychological Research Specialization on Coursera

It may be particularly relevant to psychology researchers, doctoral candidates, early-career academics, and applicants seeking to strengthen their foundations in psychological research methodology.

Affiliate disclosure: Arab Academic Jobs may receive a commission if you enroll through this link, at no additional cost to you.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Interfolio.

Applications are not accepted by email.

Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Cover Letter.
3. Research Statement – maximum 5 pages.
4. Teaching Statement – maximum 2 pages.
5. Student evaluations for up to two recent courses, if available.
6. Up to three representative publications or other writing samples.
7. Names and contact information for three referees.

Recommendation letters should not be uploaded with the initial application. They will be requested later in the search process where appropriate.

Research Statement Guidance

The Research Statement should describe the applicant’s research programme.

Where possible, candidates are asked to explain how their research spans or connects areas such as:

• Cognition and perception.
• Social Psychology.
• Developmental Psychology.

The statement must not exceed five pages.

Application Deadline

Applications received by:

1 December 2026

will receive full consideration.

Applications submitted after this date may still be reviewed, but only as needed.

Recruitment Timeline

Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited for campus visits in Abu Dhabi in early Spring 2027.

Successful candidates are expected to begin their appointment and relocate to Abu Dhabi during the 2027–2028 academic year, subject to final budget approval.

Job Summary

Employer	New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Division	Division of Science
Location	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Position	Professor in Psychology – Social / Social-Developmental
Academic Rank	Open Rank; primary focus on Assistant Professor
Appointment Type	Tenured / Tenure Track
Field	Psychology
Specialisation	Social Psychology / Social-Developmental Psychology
Required Qualification	PhD in Psychology or closely related field
Research Requirement	Demonstrated record or trajectory toward high-impact, internationally recognised research
Teaching Requirement	Commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring a diverse undergraduate population
Research Facilities	MRI, MEG, EEG, eye tracking, VR, physiological measures, Child Observation Lab and HPC
Computing Infrastructure	High Performance Computing facility with more than 6,400 cores
Application Platform	Interfolio
Research Statement	Maximum 5 pages
Teaching Statement	Maximum 2 pages
References	Names and contact information for 3 referees
Full-Consideration Deadline	1 December 2026
Campus Visits	Expected early Spring 2027
Expected Start	2027–2028 academic year, subject to final budget approval
UAE National Note	Emirati candidates are encouraged to apply