Open-Rank Faculty Position in Foundational Artificial Intelligence

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University in Houston, Texas, invites applications for one open-rank faculty position in foundational artificial intelligence. The appointment may be made at the tenure-track Assistant Professor level or at the tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor level, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

We seek candidates who advance the statistical, mathematical, computational, or algorithmic foundations of artificial intelligence (AI) and scientific machine learning. Applicants are encouraged to articulate their own vision of how their research agenda will shape the future of foundational AI, whether by building on established areas or opening new directions. Outstanding candidates whose work advances foundational AI in other areas are also encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will demonstrate deep, original contributions to AI scholarship and the potential to shape the future of the field. Rice seeks faculty who embrace a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, responsible technological development, and inclusive mentorship. Excellence in research and teaching will be the primary criteria for evaluation.

Responsibilities The selected candidate will be expected to establish or maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program with national and international recognition; conduct innovative research and disseminate results through high-impact publications, conferences, and other scholarly activities; and teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with their expertise. Additional responsibilities include advising and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers; contributing to departmental, school, university, and professional service; and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations within Rice and with external partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences and will contribute to the continued strength of undergraduate and graduate education across the department and the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. Rice’s highly collaborative environment provides opportunities to engage with researchers in materials science, computational science, energy, advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and other disciplines., 1. Curriculum vitae

1. Research statement, up to five pages
2. Statement of teaching philosophy, up to two pages
3. Names and contact information for three to five professional references. Letters of reference will be requested only if the candidate advances to the interview stage.

Applicants will also be asked in Interfolio to indicate their first and second preferred home departments from the following eligible options: Statistics, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in statistics, electrical engineering, computing, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Within this initiative, the Foundational AI search falls within the Computing and AI thrust and prioritizes core techniques, theoretical foundations, and methodological breakthroughs in AI. It supports the School’s goals of reimagining computing and AI foundations; advancing collaborative, intelligent, and resilient autonomous systems; and designing trustworthy, explainable, and human-centered technologies.

Candidates applying through this posting will be considered for a potential primary appointment in Statistics, Computer Science, or Electrical and Computer Engineering. Candidates whose work aligns with more than one participating department may be considered across multiple departmental applicant pools, and joint or affiliated appointments may also be considered.

About Rice University Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located on a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Rice serves nearly 9,200 undergraduate and graduate students and is distinguished by research excellence, a collaborative culture, and close engagement between students and faculty.

Houston’s leadership in energy, health care, aerospace, manufacturing, and data-intensive industries creates exceptional opportunities for external partnerships and research impact.

Candidates should demonstrate excellence in research and scholarship appropriate to rank, a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, the potential to establish or sustain a highly impactful, externally funded research program, and a commitment to mentoring students and contributing to a collaborative academic community. Candidates for appointment at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level should have a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, sustained research impact, and national or international recognition in their field.