Assistant Professor of Psychology - Clinical/Counseling

General Description:

The Psychology Department at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA) invites applications for a full time, tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor. We seek applicants who are Clinical or Counseling Psychologists with interest in teaching courses focused on psychopathology and treatment (Clinical Psychology I & II in our curriculum). Additionally, this candidate should be able to contribute course offerings in their specialty, participate in teaching PSYC 101 and capstone, and expand our offerings of courses related to sustainability or diversity and justice.We seek candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity in teaching and scholarship. Candidates should have enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring undergraduate students in a liberal arts environment as well as plans for a research program that can support undergraduate-level involvement.PLU’s Department of Psychology is part of the College of Natural Sciences. The department is committed to psychological science and a rigorous curriculum that exposes students to critical areas of the discipline and experiential learning opportunities and facilitates the exploration of vocation. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive academic community. Our students have strong commitments to social justice and many are first-generation college students and students of color. We welcome applications from individuals whose commitments to justice, inclusion, and diversity influences their teaching, research, and service. Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Teach 24 credit load (approximately 6 courses) annually in courses related to content specialty.
• Engage in scholarly activity related to research interests.
• Support undergraduate student research.
• Contribute to department and university diversity, justice, and sustainability goals.
• Contribute to academic advising.
• Attend department and college meetings.
• Participate in service to the department and university.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and anti-racist pedagogical practices.
• Ability to engage in research related to field of specialization and mentor undergraduate students in student-faculty research.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD or PsyD in either Clinical or Counseling Psychology or an EdD in Counseling Psychology granted by September 1, 2026.
• Applicants must be license-eligible in Washington.
• Applicant must be legally eligible to work in the United States on hire date AND legally authorized to work in the United States for Pacific Lutheran University without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of excellence in teaching.
• Demonstrated independent program of research.

Work Conditions: Physical Requirements: Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter that details: The applicant’s teaching philosophy; Scholarly interests including plans to involve undergraduate students in research; Discussion about how applicant’s scholarship and teaching are attuned to diversity, justice, and inclusion.
• Curriculum vitae
• List of three references. Three confidential letters of reference will be requested by PLU for semi-finalist candidates.

For questions or more information, please contact Dr. Michelle Ceynar at ceynarml@plu.edu. Other Information: Pacific Lutheran University purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Our faculty lead with a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice and instill this commitment in their students. PLU educators work to create an environment where students feel heard and valued, nurturing lifelong learners who aren’t afraid to do things differently to make the world better for everyone. PLU supports faculty as they help students turn ambition into purpose, skills into tools, and their caring into a transformative force.
Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a faculty, staff, and student body from all religions, races, socioeconomic groups, sexual orientations, and gender expressions and from all over the world. For the 2024–25 academic year, 40.6 percent of PLU undergraduate students are from the first generation in their families to attend college; 48.0 percent self-identify as students of color; and 34.2 percent are Pell Grant–eligible.
Offering distinctive opportunities for global engagement, collaborative student-faculty research, and purposeful learning, our faculty guide 2,700 students from all faiths and backgrounds to discern their purpose through relevant coursework, inclusive mentoring, and internships at world-class Puget Sound-area businesses and institutions. PLU is located on a 156-acre woodland campus in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington and about 40 minutes south of downtown Seattle. The campus reflects consciously green practices and is in proximity to the natural beauty of Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the Puget Sound.
PLU administration supports and respects the strong culture of faculty-shared governance by working closely and collaboratively with faculty leadership to sustain and strengthen existing structures and procedures while working together on key institutional, academic and curricular decisions. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research, or other work activities. For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu. Click here for detailed benefits information.