Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Human-Centered Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Assistant Professor (tenure-track)

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Bargaining

Job Title

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Human-Centered Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Assistant Professor (tenure-track)

Department

UBCO | Faculty | Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science (Ramon Lawrence)

Posting End Date

February 2, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

The anticipated salary range is $115,000 - $125,000.

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics (CMPS)

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Human-Centered Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Assistant Professor (tenure-track)

Situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus invites applications for a Tier II CRC position in human-centered explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) stream. We are seeking an outstanding, emerging scholar to develop AI models that adhere to the primacy of human inputs and experience as well as to advance responsible AI governance strategies for a resilient future in a fast-changing world. The full-time appointment will be made at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics (CMPS; cmps.ok.ubc.ca), and the position is expected to start on July 1, 2025 or soon thereafter.

The successful candidate for this nomination must hold a Ph.D. and will be an exceptional emerging scholar who has achieved public and academic recognition for their research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or human-centered computing (HCC), with a focus at the intersection and application of these two fields. However, exceptional candidates with expertise in other areas of computer science also will be considered. The ideal candidate will bring a breadth of expertise, establish an innovative research program with the ability to attract substantial external funding and industrial partnerships as well as excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning, and dedication to graduate student teaching, supervision, and mentoring. The individual will be expected to provide service to the University and the broader academic and professional community. This research program will build upon the Department’s existing strengths in visual and human-centered computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimization, and intelligent analytics. For more information on the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, please visit this website.

The Tier II Canada Research Chair has a term of five years which may be renewed once for a second five-year term. Tier II CRCs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars, who have completed their PhD in Computer Science or a related area within the last 10 years at the time of nomination. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree and who have experienced legitimate career interruptions (maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training, COVID-19 impacts, or family care) may have their eligibility to hold a Tier II CRC assessed through the program's  Tier II justification process. UBC acknowledges that certain circumstances may cause career interruptions that legitimately affect an applicant’s record of research achievement. These interruptions will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. We encourage applicants to highlight in their application how interruptions have impacted their careers in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity.

All CRC nominations are subject to review and final approval by the CRC Secretariat. Please consult the Canada Research Chairs website for full program information, including further details on eligibility criteria.

The candidate will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and a commitment to creating a welcoming community where those who are historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized are treated equitably, feel respected, and belong.  UBC recognizes that inclusion is built by individual and institutional responsibility through continuous engagement with diversity to inspire people, ideas, and actions for a better world.

The ideal candidate will also have a strong commitment to Indigenous engagement. As part of the University’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, UBC Okanagan has committed to supporting and implementing five key commitments, which can be found at https://ok.ubc.ca/about/indigenous-engagement/.

UBC is consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and is a renowned global institution for teaching, learning and research.  Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world. Today, our students, faculty and staff come from around the world and our international research partnerships and publications enable us to collaborate on a global scale. UBC is proud to nurture and transform the lives of more than 65,000 students from Canada and 140+ countries around the world.

With 10,000 undergraduates and over 1,000 graduate students, UBC’s Okanagan campus has grown to be a diverse and vibrant part of the Okanagan community.  Kelowna is connected by direct flights to major Canadian and some US cities, and the region is considered one of the most desirable places to live in Canada. For more information about the Okanagan Campus, see https://ok.ubc.ca.

The IK Barber Faculty of Science has a vibrant interdisciplinary and collaborative culture of teaching and research. The Faculty has Departments spanning the disciplines of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. For more information about the IK Barber Faculty of Science, see https://science.ok.ubc.ca.  The Faculty has a deep commitment to providing a supportive work environment that embraces equity, diversity and inclusion.  For more information, please see Our Community.

The CMPS Department at UBC Okanagan values interdisciplinary research, supporting cross-disciplinary projects both across the departmental groups and with other groups outside the department.  The Department has made Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion a high priority, particularly with respect to the hiring of faculty members.  For more information about who we are see https://cmps.ok.ubc.ca/about/contact/ and related webpages.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package as a single PDF and include:

• Cover letter describing career fit to a Tier II CRC in Human-Centered Explainable Artificial Intelligence and commitment to advancing the research agenda of the Faculty of Science (up to 2 pages);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Research statement describing approaches, accomplishments, aspirations, and potential collaborations within the CMPS Department, the Faculty of Science, and with external partners and industry (up to 3 pages);
• Teaching statement including supervision philosophy and evidence of teaching ability (up to 2 pages);
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) statement (up to 2 pages) describing and documenting contributions to EDI and indigeneity through teaching, research, training, and service to the community, addressing knowledge of, track record in, and future plans for EDI;
• Copies of three recent publications and/or other scholarly outputs or outcomes most relevant to this position;
• Names and contact details of three references.

Complete application packages are required by 11:59 pm PST, February 2, 2025. Questions regarding this position and the CRC nomination process should be directed to Ramon Lawrence, Department Head, CMPS, at cmps.depthead@ubc.ca. The anticipated salary range is $115,000 - $125,000.

UBC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, non-discriminatory and accessible work environment for all members of its workforce, and in particular, for its employees with disabilities. Additionally, an inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities presumes an environment where differences are accepted, recognized, and integrated into current structures, planning, and decision-making modes. We welcome colleagues with the experiences and skills to contribute to our principles of inclusion, equity, and diversity throughout campus life. UBC is also committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants.  If you require accommodations or have questions about UBC benefits, services or accommodations policies, please contact Jacky Ivans, Relocation and Benefits Associate at jacky.ivans@ubc.ca . If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the recruitment and hiring process or for more information and support, please visit UBC’s Centre for Workplace Accessibility via email at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca. To learn more about how the University is working to create a more inclusive working and learning environment, please see the UBC Inclusion Action Plan’s goals related to recruitment and retention at this link.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. 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, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates who are from at least one of the federally designated groups (FDG) are encouraged to apply.

In accordance with UBC’s CRC Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Action Plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, the selection will be restricted to members of the following federally designated groups: Women and gender equity-seeking groups, Racialized individuals (members of groups that are racially categorized), persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples.

Applicants to CRC positions are asked to complete this equity survey: [https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WJHol7SfPxRMu9] as part of the application, and candidates from these groups must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the designated equity groups to be considered for the position. Because the search is limited to those self-identifying as members of designated equity groups, Candidates must also provide their name in the survey to be considered. Personal information is collected under the authority of sections 26(a), 26(c) and 26(e) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information you provide will be used to determine whether you qualify for participation in this restricted process, and to advance accessibility, equity, and fair adjudication in this process. Data will be collected by the Equity & Inclusion Office and only the names of those eligible for the search process will be shared confidentially with the search committee. All responses will be stored in a secure database.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

Review of applications will begin on February 3, 2025. The position is subject to budgetary approval.