Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in AI and Its Applications to Science and Engineering 2021/2022

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology: Faculty Positions: Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division (faculty) Location

KAUST, Thuwal 23955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Open Date

Nov 14, 2021

Description

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) invites applications for multiple faculty positions at all levels (Full, Associate, and Assistant Professor) in the broad areas of fundamental AI and its applications to science and engineering. These openings are in context with the recently launched AI Initiative at KAUST, which aims to further promote research excellence in fundamental AI and its applications in science and engineering, specifically in areas of strength at KAUST (e.g. chemistry, material science, marine science, plant science, energy, biology, among many others). 

Some of the new faculty will focus on Fundamental AI research in areas such as artificial neural networks and deep learning, reinforcement learning and planning, artificial evolution, probabilistic reasoning, AI theory, unsupervised/self-supervised learning, meta-learning, zero-shot learning, natural language processing, computer vision (already very visible at KAUST), automation, robotics, AI hardware systems, and other fields. The broad goal is to advance fundamental AI research on all fronts. The new professors will join a growing team that is already highly visible, e.g. KAUST published 17 papers at the NeurIPS 2021 conference on machine learning.

Other faculty will focus on Applied AI in areas such as healthcare (in conjunction with KAUST’s Smart Health Initiative), drug design, chemistry, molecular biology, climate, earth and environmental science (in conjunction with KAUST’s Climate and Livability Initiative), material science, and solar cells, extending present strengths of KAUST (see the KAUST Discovery Magazines). Here, we are seeking researchers, whose main expertise lies in a field related to the ones above, but with a track record of collecting and managing relevant data for AI-enabled applications, e.g., through automated experiment design for data collection in biology/chemistry/material science/other areas, and who wish to scale this up in one of the existing KAUST research centers and programs, with the goal of revolutionizing their field: the Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), the Visual Computing Center (VCC), the Extreme Computing Research Center (ECRC), the Resilient Computing and Cybersecurity Center (RC3), the KAUST Solar Center (KSC), the KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC), the Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center (AMPMC), the Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC), the Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC), the Water Desalination and Reuse Center, the Center for Desert Agriculture, and the Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)

About KAUST

KAUST is an international, graduate-only research university with researchers from over 100 nationalities, located on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia less than an hour drive north of Jeddah. KAUST offers outstanding research facilities, internationally competitive salaries, and generous research funding from KAUST as well as other funding opportunities through industry collaborations. KAUST attracts top international faculty, scientists, engineers and students to conduct curiosity-driven and goal-oriented research to address the world’s pressing scientific and technological challenges.

KAUST has an award-winning campus to live, work, study and play that is designed to inspire and motivate students, employees and their families to maintain an active lifestyle. The community members enjoy elementary and secondary schools, health clinic, on-demand as well as scheduled transportations, thematic community clubs, as well as several fitness and outdoor sports installations including sea-faring sports. On the cultural and leisure side, KAUST fosters the arts with a performance theater for concerts and plays as well as a movie theater, besides numerous dining options and the Red Sea just steps away, information may be found here.

As result of very effective measures, including the involvement of its researchers, the COVID-19 pandemic has so far barely affected the KAUST campus-city.

Qualifications

We welcome candidates with a PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or other areas with a strong research background in fundamental and applied AI. For all candidates, we expect documented experience regarding research done in the fields of fundamental/applied AI mentioned above.

Applicants should show exceptional research merit, including strong publication record in top-tier conferences and journals, as well as research project experience. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. High priority will be given to the overall originality and promise of the candidate’s research proposal. We consider as an advantage: a strong track record – according to the candidate’s career experience – in leading research teams, mentoring PhD candidates, research project definition and management, graduate-level teaching, as well as research collaboration with industrial partners. Senior candidates must have demonstrated strong leadership and reputation in their field. A successful candidate will be expected to teach courses at graduate level, build and lead a research group of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.

Application Instructions

Please complete the Interfolio application form and upload the following materials:

  • Complete curriculum vitae (C.V.), contact address, with a list of projects, publications, and other achievements, as well as clear evidence of documented experience in the research areas and sub-areas requested above
  • A research plan aligned with the strategic lines of the AI Initiative
  • A statement of teaching interests
  • The names and contact information for at least 3 references

For more information, please contact: Prof. Juergen Schmidhuber (Director of AI Initiative at KAUST) via email at: ai-faculty-jobs@kaust.edu.sa, Subject: AI – FACULTY APPLICATIONS.

Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, only applications submitted through the online Interfolio form will be considered. 

Applications will be received and evaluated through rolling cut-off date periods (please see below) until all positions are filled. The review committee will put the best effort to inform all applicants of the status of their applications within a reasonable delay after each cut-off date. 

Next cut-off date for applications: January 31, 2021.

Please click on the “Apply Now” button to submit your application.