Job Opening at UMass (Amherst)

[David]

I seek your assistance in finding someone for a position at the 
University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  I have been awarded a Research 
Scientist Development Award (RSDA) from the National Institute of 
Mental Health.  The award allows me to devote full time to research for 
5 years (beginning September 30, 1992).  It also provides funds to hire 
someone to cover the courses I normally teach.  The person occupying 
the replacement position is expected to engage in research that 
complements my own.  My colleagues and I are therefore looking for 
someone to teach in the area of cognitive/experimental psychology (3 
courses per year, typically one graduate and two undergraduate) and to 
do research related to my interests.

Currently, I am working on a computational model of movement 
selection (primarily for reaching and related behaviors).  My students 
and I are testing predictions of the model with normal adult human 
subjects, using an Optotrak recording system housed in our 
Department.  Ideally, we would like to find someone with a strong 
background in cognitive or experimental psychology who is well versed 
in computational approaches to cognition and performance, especially, 
but not exclusively, in the domain of motor control.  If you know of 
such a person and think he or she might be interested in this 
opportunity, would you please bring it to his or her attention?  A copy 
of the ad, which will be appearing soon in the APA Monitor and APS 
Observer, is attached.

Our Psychology Department is an exciting place for someone with 
interests in the cognitive substrates of motor control.  My colleague, 
Professor Rachel Clifton, also holds an RSDA; one of her areas of study 
is infant motor development.  We have close ties to biomechanists in 
the Exercise Science Department, roboticists and connectionist 
modellers in the Computer Science Department, and neuroscientists in 
our own department and in Biology.  The UMass Psychology 
Department has a strong faculty in cognitive and neuroscience 
generally.  There are frequent interdisciplinary meetings involving the 
many people in the greater Amherst area who are concerned with basic 
and applied issues related to the control of action, and there are many 
other meetings as well pertaining to other areas of cognitive science.

A word about the timing of the appointment is in order.  Funds are 
available to hire someone immediately, although only on a temporary 
basis; that is, the replacement position cannot be filled permanently 
until September, following a full affirmative-action search.  Anyone 
hired on a temporary basis will be expected to teach at least 1 and 
possibly 2 courses in the Spring semester (which begins in late January).  
Whether the person teaches 1 course or 2 depends on his or her abilities 
and desires, as well as departmental needs.  The temporary 
appointment can begin earlier than January, as far as I know.
In the best of all worlds, the person hired temporarily will
then stay on for the full 4 years, but this is not guaranteed.

I look forward to hearing from you or someone you might tell about 
this position.  Please feel free to contact me at the above address
or at any of the numbers below for further information.  It is
advisable to respond quickly to this call.

Thank you for your kind attention. 

David A. Rosenbaum
Professor of Psychology
413-545-4714
DAVID.ROSENBAUM at PSYCH.UMASS.EDU


Here is the ad that will appear soon in the APA Monitor
and the APS Observer:

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: The Department of Psychology at 
the University of Massachusetts/Amherst anticipates an 
opening for a non-tenure track position at the Assistant or 
Associate Professor level, starting September 1993 and renewable 
through August 1997.  Preference will be given for individuals 
with primary interests in the cognitive substrates of human 
motor control, perceptual-motor integration, or human 
performance, although candidates focusing on other topics will 
be considered.  Send vita, statement of interest, representative 
papers, and at least three letters of recommendation to: Dr. 
David A. Rosenbaum, Search Committee, Department of 
Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.  
Review of applications will begin January 18 and continue until 
the position is filled.  The University of Massachusetts is an 
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.