Assistant Professor, Philosophy (Consciousness)

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Arizona invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, specializing in research on consciousness. In addition to candidates with a research focus on traditional philosophical questions regarding consciousness, we also encourage applications from candidates with strong research programs involving consciousness-adjacent areas of scientific inquiry. The Department seeks a researcher and teacher to contribute to its emerging interdisciplinary degree programs in Consciousness and to the overall philosophical life of the department.

AOS: Consciousness studies (construed broadly), philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of at least one special science relevant to the interdisciplinary study of consciousness such as cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, AI, linguistics, or physics. 

AOC: Open 

Candidates must have earned a PhD in Philosophy or another field relevant to consciousness research by the date of employment. Applicants whose PhD is not in Philosophy should include clear evidence of their research and teaching qualifications pertinent to a leading PhD program in philosophy. All applicants must demonstrate evidence of a commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching.

The standard teaching load in the department is 2 courses per semester. The individual hired will be expected to teach half of their courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in the philosophy of consciousness, and in other core related topics such as those listed in the AOS description; or also e.g. general philosophy of science; philosophy of biology; the philosophy of religion; neuroethics; AI ethics; or aesthetics. 

The individual hired will also be expected to engage actively in scholarship and participate in departmental, college, and university service, including participating actively in the long-established Center for Consciousness Studies, whose role is now expanding as a cross-disciplinary university center for both research and teaching. They will also be expected to participate actively in the graduate and undergraduate degree programs in Cognitive Science.

The University of Arizona has a long history as a pioneer in the development of consciousness studies. Recently, the university has received significant donor support to create its new educational programs in consciousness studies for undergraduates and graduate students.  To date we have created a unique undergraduate curriculum in consciousness studies, with increasing numbers of students; a parallel graduate program is under development.  The programs now have an endowed chair in this area, with annually increasing funds for novel collaborative projects, with established programs in the cognitive sciences, information science, and neuroscience, among others. 

Applications should be submitted by November 7, 2026 for full consideration and include the following documents:

• A brief cover letter
• A curriculum vitae
• A research statement, of no more than 2 pages 
• A statement of teaching interests and philosophy, of no more than two pages
• Evidence of teaching excellence 
• A writing sample 
• At least three and no more than four letters of reference. Applicants with a PhD in a field other than Philosophy should be sure to have letters from at least two philosophers.

 For any questions please contact Dennis Tamblyn [email protected].

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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