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Assistant Professor – M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience

FACULTY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Performs teaching, research and guidance duties in area(s) of expertise. Shares responsibility for committee and department assignments including administrative, supervisory, and other functions.

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive Neuroscience with a required start date of August 2026. This position is part of a strategic initiative to expand interdisciplinary research and training in neuroscience and the computational sciences. We seek an innovative scholar whose research integrates computational approaches with empirical neuroscience to investigate the mechanisms underlying cognition. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of research in perception, planning, decision-making, memory, or animal communication and/or human language. The appointment will be in the M.S. Program in Cognitive Neuroscience. Responsibilities include research, teaching, mentoring, and service. The candidate is expected to generate an active, externally funded research program, and to participate in graduate teaching and research training. Teaching duties may include courses in computational methods and advanced courses in neuroscience.Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and to mentoring graduate students in a diverse and inclusive academic environment. This position is part of the Simons Empire Faculty Fellows initiative and applicants must also apply to the 3-year Visiting Scholar position in the Center for Computational Neuroscience (CCN) posted on the Flatiron Institute’s website. The incumbent will split their time between teaching (50%) at the Graduate Center and conducting research at CCN (50%). At the end the 3-year Visiting Scholar appointment, the faculty member will remain at the Graduate Center and take on a full teaching workload. Applications to both positions are required, and it is acceptable to submit identical applications to both. However, applicants are welcome to comment on specific synergies with CCN in their cover letter for the Flatiron application.

About the Graduate Center:

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at CUNY, the nation’s largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master's programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center's commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni who, in turn, teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City's intellectual and cultural life.

Visiting Scholar position at the Flatiron's Institute Center for Computational Neuroscience:

Applications are invited to apply for a joint position at the CUNY Graduate Center and the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Neuroscience (CCN). This position is a CUNY faculty position combined with a Visiting Scholar appointment at Flatiron; the visiting scholar position comes with 50% teaching relief at CUNY and access to Flatiron resources as described below.

Applicants should have a strong background in the development and use of computational methods in neuroscience. While applicants interested in any of the fields of research supported at CCN will be considered, preference will be given to scientists whose research interests combine computational methods with a systems approach to neuroscience.

Directed by Eero Simonelli, the Center for Computational Neuroscience (CCN) located in New York City, is a leading international center for the study of brain function both in health and disease. The development of the concepts, algorithms and code libraries needed to advance the field is fundamental to the work of the center. Research projects currently pursued at CCN cover a broad range of methods and interest.

CCN currently comprises of more than 45 research and software scientists at career stages from recent PhDs through senior scientists, as well as support staff, visiting scientists, and affiliated graduate students and interns. CCN has vigorous visitor and workshop programs, strong interactions with scientists from neighboring institutions and is engaged in several national and international partnerships.

Researchers holding the visiting scholar appointment at CCN develop theoretical concepts, systems neuroscience approaches, models and algorithms, and apply these to obtain new insights into perception, cognition, and behavior. They develop their own cross-disciplinary research programs and also work in collaboration with other CCN scientists including postdoctoral fellows. Reporting to the director of CCN, these positions are based at the Flatiron Institute, a division of the Simons Foundation, in New York City.

The visiting scholar will be appointed for an initial three-year period; the appointment may be renewed for additional periods during the duration of the CUNY joint appointment.

This position will be based, and have a principal office or workspace, at the foundation’s offices in New York City. The visiting scholar will have access to CCN resources including computational time, and financial support for conference attendance and travel.

For more information about careers at the Flatiron Institute, please visit simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/careers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct research in computational neuroscience, building models that are motivated by fundamental principles to provide insight into perception, cognition, and behavior.

• Publish research in refereed scientific and technical journals and present research at scientific conferences

• Provide publicly available software for use by the scientific community

• Support the public use of available software

• Assist in the organization of CCN-related workshops, conferences, group meetings and seminars

• Actively work with and provide support to postdoctoral Flatiron research fellows and visiting graduate and undergraduate students

• Mentor summer students and assist in the organization of summer programs

• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The annual compensation range for this 0.5 Full time equivalent position is $67,500 - $82,500 in addition to the CUNY Graduate Center faculty salary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: PhD degree in Physics, Math, Engineering, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or Computer Science

Preferred Qualifications

+ Postgraduate research experience (typically 2 to 6 years) in computational neuroscience, or related field of interest to the CCN

+ A record of excellence in scientific publication

+ Ability to do original and outstanding research in neuroscience

+ Effective oral and written communication skills

+ Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.

Application Instructions

Required Application Materials:

• CV

• Cover letter

• Research statement outlining both past research accomplishments and a vision for scientific research at CUNY.

• Teaching and mentorship philosophy statement for graduate education

• Contact information for three (3) professional references (name, title, institution, and email address)

Applicants to this position must submit applications both to CUNY and to CCN. The same application can be submitted for the faculty position at the Graduate Center and for the Visiting Scholar position at CCN. However, applicants are welcome to comment on specific synergies with CCN in their cover letter for the Flatiron application.

THE SIMONS FOUNDATION'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.

QUALIFICATIONS

For Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor:

Ph.D. degree in in Physics, Math, Engineering, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or Computer Science. Also required are the ability to teach successfully, demonstrated scholarship or achievement, and ability to cooperate with others for the good of the institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ A strong record of peer-reviewed publications and external funding or potential for funding

+ Demonstrated expertise in computational modeling, machine learning, or data science applied to cognitive neuroscience

+ Experience or interest in cross-species research

+ Commitment to teaching and mentoring at the graduate level; ability to teach graduate-level courses in cognitive neuroscience, computational methods, and/or statistics.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

COMPENSATION

$94,909-$109,025/year (salary range will increase to $98,231-$112,841 on 9/1/26 per the CUNY PSC contract). Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.CUNY offers faculty a competitive compensation and benefits package covering health insurance, pension and retirement benefits, paid parental leave, and savings programs. We also provide mentoring and support for research, scholarship, and publication as part of our commitment to ongoing faculty professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Please click on "Apply Now" which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply. Our graduate programs value inclusivity as a form of excellence and strongly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented populations to apply.

Please submit the below documents in one PDF file:

+ CV

+ Cover letter

+ Research statement outlining both past research accomplishments and a vision for scientific research at CUNY.

+ Teaching and mentorship philosophy statement for graduate education

+ Contact information for three (3) professional references (name, title, institution, and email address)

Applicants to this position must submit applications both to CUNY and to CCN. The same application can be submitted for the faculty position at the Graduate Center and for the Visiting Scholar position at CCN. However, applicants are welcome to comment on specific synergies with CCN in their cover letter for the Flatiron application.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with review of applications to begin on January 15, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Faculty

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

31505

Location

Graduate Center