Endowed Research Assistant Professor Positions at the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

The Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC) invites applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor (RAP) in computer science.  

The RAP position is a three-year position, with a salary and a discretionary research budget paid from TTIC’s endowment.  RAPs pursue independent research agendas, usually (but optionally) in collaboration with other TTIC faculty and students.  

While we welcome applications from many areas of computer science, we will give preference to candidates working in the following areas:

• machine learning

• computer vision

• natural language processing and speech

• robotics

• computational biology

• algorithms and complexity theory

More details

The RAP position is in some ways similar to a postdoctoral fellowship, in that RAPs are often fresh PhDs and are paid a salary entirely covered by TTIC’s endowment.  Like a postdoc, an RAP is an excellent stepping stone on the way to a permanent academic or industrial research career.  However, unlike traditional postdocs, RAPs: 

• Are independent researchers with no assigned supervisor (but with mentoring available from a more senior faculty member)

• Can, if they wish, serve as principal investigators to raise external grant funding, to support collaborations or other research costs

• Can serve as thesis co-advisors for PhD students at TTIC, and can teach if they choose

• Can recruit and supervise their own visiting students (interns)

TTIC research faculty alumni have an excellent employment track record (https://www.ttic.edu/faculty-alumni/).

About TTIC

TTIC (www.ttic.edu) is a philanthropically endowed academic institute dedicated to fundamental research and graduate education in computer science. All TTIC faculty positions are supported by the endowment.

TTIC produces cutting-edge research and offers world-class graduate education. Our faculty routinely publish their results at top conferences and are recognized with distinctions such as the Sloan Research Fellowships, NSF CAREER Awards, Best Paper Awards, and the NAS Michael and Sheila Held Prize. 

Located on the University of Chicago campus, TTIC has strong ties to the University. In addition to having access to TTIC's excellent computing infrastructure, faculty members benefit from many of the University of Chicago's state-of-the-art facilities, as well as opportunities to collaborate with UChicago faculty and students. 

TTIC faculty members frequently collaborate with colleagues from leading academic institutions around the world (travel and visitor hosting are strongly supported by TTIC).  TTIC also typically hosts several workshops each year.

TTIC faculty and students enjoy the close proximity of a vibrant urban environment with flourishing culture, business, and entertainment scenes. 

We invite candidates with an outstanding academic record and passion for computer science research to join our world-class team of tenured/tenure-track and research faculty members (www.ttic.edu/faculty/).

TTIC/Simons-Berkeley Joint Program

Applicants for research assistant professor (RAP) positions in relevant areas are encouraged to simultaneously apply for the TTIC RAP program and the Simons-Berkeley Research Fellowship.

Applicants selected by both institutions will be able to participate in a program at the Simons Institute before joining TTIC. Please note that applicants interested in the joint program must submit separate applications to TTIC and the Simons Institute. 

Benefits

Benefits at TTIC include excellent medical PPO or HMO insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and dental and vision insurance through Principal (80% employer paid). TTIC also provides employer-paid short-term and long-term disability and life insurance, as well as Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare, transit and parking. Retirement benefits include a 401(k) with a gift of 3% of the employee’s annual salary and a contributory match of up to 5% of annual salary. Dependent benefits include generous college tuition benefits at any accredited college or university.

Timeline

We will start reviewing applications on December 1, 2021, and will continue until the positions are filled. 

Application Requirements

1. cover letter

2. curriculum vitae

3. research statement

4. teaching statement (optional)

5. names and contact information of at least three references

If interested in the joint program with the Simons Institute, please check the Simons Fellowship requirements (https://simons.berkeley.edu/programs/fellows). Please note that the Simons Institute has a different deadline.

Where to Apply

Please apply here: https://ttic.edu/facultyapplication

Questions

recruiting@ttic.edu

In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC) considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to TTIC programs on the basis of individual merit.

In accordance with federal, state, and local law, TTIC does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other protected status under the law, including Title IX of the Education Amendements of 1972. TTIC prohibits discrimination based on legally protected status with respect to all employment-related decisions, educational and admissions policies, personnel actions, and academic actions.

TTIC is committed to providing a respectful and positive environment for all members of its community, free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.