Position Description

The Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver invites applications from outstanding new investigators for two full time tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of artificial intelligence or machine learning, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2024. The department has an additional preference (but not a requirement) for candidates whose work makes interdisciplinary connections to Economics.

This position is offered as part of a new, interdisciplinary research cluster, AI Methods for Scientific Impact (AIM-SI) within UBC's Centre for AI Decision-making and Action (CAIDA). CAIDA consists of over 100 researchers whose research leverages AI. AIM-SI will hire 5 new faculty members across three departments: Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics.  Those recruited will join over a dozen existing researchers who are highly active in the core AI Methods research community.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field and must demonstrate evidence of research success and a high potential to be leaders in their research field. The successful candidate should have a strong record of research productivity commensurate with their experience and will be expected to develop an independent research program in an area that complements existing Department expertise and aligns with opportunities at UBC. The successful candidate will be expected to effectively supervise Computer Science graduate students, collaborate with other faculty members, obtain external funding, teach undergraduate and graduate Computer Science courses, and actively participate in departmental activities.  They will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or systemically marginalized.

UBC is ranked as a top CS program in Canada and in the top 25 Computer Science departments worldwide, with 2700 undergrads, 200 grads, and 63 faculty including 10 new hires in the past three years.  Faculty members excel in both theory and methods research as well as collaborative research with domain-area experts.  The Vancouver campus of UBC is situated on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

The hiring process will involve a departmental hiring committee, which will follow the department’s standard hiring process and consider criteria for a faculty member in areas of research, teaching and service contributions, and an AIM-SI Steering Committee, which will assess whether the candidates short-listed by the departmental hiring committee satisfy the following criteria: (1) the candidate’s demonstrated focus on AI methods research and sustained record of publication either (i) at recognized AI-methods venues or (ii) of work that the Steering Committee judges meets the bars both for quality and for focus on AI Methods required for publication at such venues; and (2) candidate’s commitment to interdisciplinary scientific impact, based on publication record and an interdisciplinarity statement. This statement, with a maximum length of two pages, must explain the candidate's track record and future plans for AI methods research aiming at scientific impact. This statement must also describe and advocate for a workshop the candidate would be interested in helping to organize at UBC for both AIM-SI members and interdisciplinary researchers beyond the cluster.

Applications must be submitted online via the Academic Jobs Online website. 

Interested applicants should submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, a diversity statement, the interdisciplinarity statement described above, and the names of at least three references. In addition to surveying key themes in their past and future research, candidates may choose to use part of their research statement to explain why their research program should be understood as focusing on AI methods. The teaching statement should address the applicant’s teaching interests and provide a record of their teaching experience. The diversity statement (1 page) should describe your lived background experience (if comfortable), and your past experience and future plans regarding working with a diverse student body, and contributing to a culture of equity and inclusion.

The deadline for applications is December 15, 2023. At the discretion of the committee the deadline may be extended if the number of applications received by that date is deemed insufficient. All applications which are complete by the final deadline, including the receipt of at least three reference letters, are guaranteed full consideration

Questions about the search can be directed to the committee chair, Dr. Michiel van de Panne, at the address core-ai-recruiting-chair@cs.ubc.ca

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence.  An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged.  Inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuk, or Indigenous person. In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, and members of historically marginalized groups will be given special consideration.

Also, within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an inclusive and equitable process for all candidates (including but not limited to people with disabilities).  Confidential accommodations are available on request for applicants who are short-listed by contacting Jessica McKay, recruit-admin@cs.ubc.ca.