Job Description

The Department of Psychology at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is seeking applications for a nine-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor position. The ideal candidate will be excited to teach undergraduate and graduate classes both on-campus and online. Given that the majority of our graduate students are in school and clinical psychology, the ideal candidate will have expertise in and value the importance of applied programs. This position is located on the campus of FHSU in Hays, Kansas.

Job Duties:

This position will support our undergraduate and graduate programs, with specific responsibilities based on the candidate's credentials and expertise. Core responsibilities of the position include:

• Teach 12 credit hours (or equivalent) per semester. Courses will be taught in both on-campus and online formats at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Engage in service to the department, university, community, and discipline at large
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda that is consistent with the educational mission of FHSU. Research involving students and that results in presentations and publications is expected
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree in Psychology, EdS-School Psychology, or doctorate degree in a closely related field. Applicants who are ABD will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The area of specialization is open; however, preference will be given to candidates who can teach research methods and statistics, as well as coursework in the area(s) of cognitive, developmental, forensic, IO, neuroscience, and/or social psychology
• Demonstrated effectiveness in designing and teaching on-campus and/or online classes
• Record of scholarly activity that demonstrates knowledge of research methods and statistics, as well as experience mentoring students in research
• Service to the discipline and larger community
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Additional Qualifications:

• Highly detail oriented and organized
• Punctual with student concerns and departmental requests
• Value innovation
• Collegial

Rank:
Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track

Appointment Date:
Candidate will begin in August 2026

Benefits : To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits .

Priority deadline:
For full consideration, all application materials should be received by January 30th, 2026 , at which time the search committee will begin reviewing applications. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Application Process : To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers . Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:
Qualified applicants should submit a single PDF containing:

• Cover letter explaining how the candidate will successfully perform the job of teaching, scholarship, and service
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Copies of unofficial university transcripts showing graduate work
• Names and contact information for three professional references
• OPTIONAL: Include materials that demonstrate teaching effectiveness (e.g., syllabi; student feedback; course evaluations)

Contact Information :
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Dr. Whitney Whitaker
Department Chair & Associate Professor
wkwhitaker@fhsu.edu
785-628-4537

About the Department of Psychology:
The Department of Psychology has 13 full-time faculty members and approximately 450 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate students. The Department offers a BA and BS in Psychology; two M.S. degrees with specialization in clinical and school psychology, and a school psychology Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.). The department has a tradition of involving undergraduate and graduate students in research, and the school psychology program enjoys close working relationships with local school districts. The department is excited to welcome a new faculty member to a collegial and innovative institution, which is always willing to try something new and exciting in the spirit of better educating and preparing our students.

About Fort Hays State University:

Founded in 1902, FHSU is a leading, forward-thinking university of the Midwest, with student enrollment exceeding 15,500 (including 4,500+ on the Hays campus, a unique China partnership program with enrollment of 4,000 students, and FHSU Online enrollment at over 7,000). Over 400 faculty and more than 500 professional and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs for the associate's, bachelor's, and master's programs, and for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, representing 31 departments within these academic divisions:

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship
• College of Education
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
• Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
• Graduate School

Fort Hays State University provides exceptional opportunities for students from Kansas, the region, and the world, and the University attracts goal-oriented students who want premier learning experiences inside and outside the classroom combined with one-to-one attention and support. FHSU students graduate with the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to have a competitive edge in their chosen careers. Upon graduation, 95% of FHSU students find a job or placement in graduate school.

About Hays, Kansas:

Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area, where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community's commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K-12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination - Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or for further information on how this might affect you.

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