Careers
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Embodied Artificial Intelligence

Departments of Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Computer Science (CS) 

We invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty appointment at the level of Assistant Professor, jointly appointed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Computer Science at Northwestern University.  

We seek candidates who will lead pioneering research in embodied artificial intelligence: intelligent systems with embodiment that perceive, physically interact with, and respond to the physical world. Priority areas include, but are not limited to computational design, robotics, biohybrid machines, physically-embodied artificial intelligence and machine learning, and biologically-inspired perception. A competitive candidate from the fields of perception, AI, or learning will have demonstrated expertise with deployments on physical actuated systems, and a competitive candidate from the fields of actuation or mechanics will have demonstrated expertise applying advanced computational intelligence to mechanical design and behavior execution.  

Applicants should hold an earned PhD or be near completion of their doctoral studies with demonstrated research potential in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.  

The hire will have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration via broad research initiatives and centers at Northwestern, including the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, the Center for Synthetic Biology, the Center for Deep Learning, the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design, and the NSF ERC Human Augmentation via Dexterity. 

 Application instructions: Candidates are requested to upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research, statement of teaching, statement of diversity (addressing potential contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, and/or inclusion), and the names and contact information for three to five references. In the cover letter, candidates should summarize their qualifications in advancing new frontiers in embodied artificial intelligence. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, all materials including reference letters should be received by November 15, 2024. Application materials must be submitted via the web interface at the link below. 

Compensation: The expected base pay range for this position is $133,000–$145,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Research discretionary funding will also be provided. Summer salary, including from sponsored projects, may also be available. 

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. 

 At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more. 

Questions: faculty-search@cs.northwestern.edu  

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