Assistant Professor in Computational Neurolinguistics/Psycholinguistics

Advertised Job Summary

The Department of Psychology and the Linguistics Program in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina (USC) invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Computational Neuro/Psycholinguistics at the Columbia campus. This position is a joint hire by The Linguistics Program and The Department of Psychology, which is the home department for tenure. This interdisciplinary position is part of a university-wide cluster hire in Data Sciences, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cyber with the goal to support cutting-edge research at the intersection of brain and language.

This new hire will join a vibrant interdisciplinary community with opportunities for collaboration across departments and colleges, including Computer Science and Engineering (CEC), the School of Information and Communications (CIC), and USC’s robust neuroscience network. Key research centers include the Institute for Mind and Brain, the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery, the AI Institute of South Carolina, and the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging, which houses a 3T Prisma MRI scanner. Faculty also have access to a growing health science campus and the new Rural Brain Health Network hub equipped with advanced neuroimaging technologies, including a 7T TerraX MRI. A rich array of additional resources, including access to high-performance computing clusters, as well as facilities for EEG, TMS, HD-tDCS, fNIRS, eye tracking, and lesion-deficit mapping in stroke survivors, is available.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and contribute to the university’s mission of research excellence.

Required Education and Experience

• A Ph.D. is required by the start date of August 16, 2026.

Preferred Qualifications

• We seek a computational neurolinguist or psycholinguist whose research bridges linguistics, neuroscience, and next-generation AI.
• Ideal candidates will use modern computational techniques in combination with neuroimaging and/or behavioral methods to investigate language learning, processing, and representation in the human brain, with possible applications to brain health, aging, and brain-inspired models of natural language understanding.
• The candidate’s work should leverage and extend advances in natural language processing and brain-language modeling.
• The candidate must demonstrate excellence in research, as evidenced by a strong publication record and the potential to secure external funding, as well as excellence in teaching and mentorship.