Assistant Professor: Interdisciplinary AI

Description

The San Diego State University (SDSU) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the broad area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an expected start in Fall  2025 or Spring 2026.  The position is expected to contribute to interdisciplinary AI initiatives across SDSU and will receive an academic appointment in either the Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Management Information Systems department depending on the candidate's academic training and expertise. 

Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to, multimodal AI systems, generative AI, explainable and interpretable AI, large language models, and edge AI. Candidates are expected to possess a strong foundational understanding of AI models, as well as experience in applying AI to cross-disciplinary domains.

SDSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the San Diego region, with a campus in San Diego serving 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students and additional locations in Southern California’s Imperial Valley and Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia.  SDSU is included in the Carnegie Foundation’s Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity category (R1). Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor degrees in 97 areas, masters in 84 and doctorates in 23. SDSU offers a unique geography, a strong and diverse student and faculty population, robust research, infrastructure, and operational support, and rich connections to local industry and government.  See http://www.sdsu.edu for more information.    

San Diego State University (SDSU) hosts the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence, focusing on foundational AI, social robotics, homeland security, and health research. SDSU researchers can access the California State University system’s Technology Infrastructure for Data Exploration (TIDE), which provides research-class CPU, GPU, and storage resources to support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) projects.

SDSU is actively advancing through various initiatives aimed at integrating AI into education, research, and community engagement. Key goals include: (1) Enhancing AI Research and Collaboration onsite and offsite, (2) Applying AI in Real-World Scenarios such as Healthcare Innovations, robotic and Social Media Analysis.  

SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university, an Asian-Native American-Pacific Islander -Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all.

 The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule for Assistant Professors and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s discipline, qualifications and experience. Salary represents one component of a job offer that will also include a full benefits package, moving expenses, and start-up support. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in  Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Information Science, or a closely related field.  Successful applicants are expected to contribute to the scholarship of the center, department and university through externally funded research and through teaching and mentoring of BS, MS, and PhD students, as well as participate in departmental governance and university service.  Candidates are encouraged to elaborate on the interdisciplinary nature of their AI research and education, as well as how they can contribute to the SDSU’s overall mission and vision. 

 We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria. Additional guidance on our BIE program for applicants is here.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin April 1, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. 

Applicants must apply via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/163843

Candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research, teaching, and diversity statements, and names and contact information of three individuals who can provide letters of recommendation. Please indicate in the diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of the BIE criteria.  For questions, please contact Dr. Robert Beverly, Search Chair at rbeverly@sdsu.edu.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.

 A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

 The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.