Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology

Job Description:
About Seattle Pacific University
Founded in 1891 and located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU is a Christian university committed to building an outstanding faculty whose diverse experiences, perspectives, disciplines, and backgrounds enrich our educational mission. Students at Seattle Pacific University experience world-class education in a world-class city. We welcome students from around the globe to grow together and serve in a community of thoughtful scholarship and outward-focused, living Christian faith.
Christian Mission & Statement of Faith
As a Christian university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church-USA, SPU welcomes faculty from a wide range of theologically orthodox Christian traditions who affirm the University's Statement of Faith and are willing to abide by our faith-based conduct expectations. Here is what defines us.
Faculty are expected to contribute to the University's Christian educational mission through their teaching, scholarship, mentoring, and service. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about integrating faith, learning, and vocation and who value the opportunity to serve students within a distinctly Christian academic community.
About the Department of Clinical Psychology
In the College of Applied and Natural Sciences (CANS), the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Seattle Pacific University prepares health service psychologists through a balanced scientist-practitioner model and a commitment to evidence-based practice. Through clinical training, research, and service, we prepare students to promote healing, well-being, and reconciliation in the communities they serve.
We seek faculty who are committed to effective teaching, meaningful scholarship, strong professional ethics, and student mentorship within an APA-accredited doctoral program.
Learn more about the Clinical Psychology program through the Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data tab on the SPU website.
What We Need
The Department of Clinical Psychology at Seattle Pacific University invites applications for one to two non-tenure track faculty positions at the rank of assistant professor in the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. These are full-time positions starting September 1, 2027, with a possibility of moving to tenure-track in the future. Exceptional candidates with outstanding qualifications and experience may be considered for an appointment at the rank of Associate Professor.
What You'll Do
We seek an individual to teach doctoral coursework, supervise doctoral student research, and provide clinical consultation and supervision in our APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. While we welcome applications from any area of specialization and research expertise in health service psychology, we have immediate needs for individuals who can teach classes in assessment (e.g., cognitive, personality) and foundational clinical skills.
Responsibilities: Major responsibilities include teaching master's and doctoral courses in the clinical psychology Ph.D. curriculum, establishing and maintaining an active program of research, mentoring and supervising students in research and clinical activities, providing statistical mentoring for student dissertations, seeking intramural and/or extramural research funding, and taking on administrative assignments and service within the department, CANS, and the university.
What You Bring
Earned doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from an APA-accredited program.
Completion of an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.
Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and work effectively with students and colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Personal commitment to Christian faith, enthusiasm about supporting SPU's mission, alignment with the University's Statement of Faith, and willingness to accept the lifestyle standards of the Christian community.
Preferred qualifications:
Postdoctoral training or other advanced preparation in research and/or a clinical specialty is preferred.
A record of scholarly publication and evidence of, or potential for, externally funded research also preferred.
Experience and interest in teaching graduate level statistics is preferred.
Psychology license in the State of Washington or eligibility for licensure.
Compensation and Benefits
Anticipated hiring range: Starts at $84,000 up to $92,600 for highly experienced candidates hired at an advanced faculty rank.
Faculty salaries at Seattle Pacific University are based on nationally-normed, regionally-adjusted, and discipline-specific data from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). Specific salary offers will be determined by level of education and years of relevant experience. All open faculty positions subject to final funding approvals.
SPU offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families. Benefits currently include healthcare coverage, retirement benefits, health savings account contributions for eligible employees, tuition benefits for employees and qualified dependents, and other programs that support employee well-being and professional success. Benefit plans and eligibility are subject to change and will be provided at the time of hire.
Faculty Community Statement
Seattle Pacific University welcomes applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. Because our students bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and levels of preparation to the classroom, we value faculty who are committed to supporting student success, engaging all learners, and contributing to an academic community characterized by respect, intellectual curiosity, and Christian faith.
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Jenny Lee Vaydich, PhD
Associate Professor & Chair, Research Psychology (MS) and Clinical Psychology (PhD)
School of Psychology, Family, & Community
vaydichj@spu.edu
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
Only applications received through the online portal will be considered. The application package requires:
Fully completing the SPU faculty application questionnaire. The application questionnaire includes:
A faith statement of approximately one page
A teaching philosophy statement of approximately one page
Other items:
Resume/CV
Cover Letter
A narrative of research trajectory
Additional supporting materials may be submitted when available, such as a representative syllabus, teaching evaluations, or recent publications
The above documents are uploaded in the same place as the resume, at the beginning of the application process. You may return/back page to the upload space as long as the application has not been submitted.
References upon request
Additional Information:
We look forward to hearing about how you will bring your unique talents and giftings to serve our amazing students, and the ways you look forward to contributing to the mission of SPU!