Institution

Rutgers University

Job Title

Tenure-Track/Tenured Faculty Position in Library and Information Science: Artificial Intelligence Research

Department/College

Library and Information Science Department, School of Communication & Information

Dates

Opening Date: 08/23/2024
Closing Date:  01/01/2025

Job Description

The Library and Information Science (LIS) Department in the School of Communication and Information (SC&I) at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, invites applications for an Artificial Intelligence tenure track appointment. The position is part of a cluster hire at Rutgers in the Computational Social Science: Social Inequality and Democratic Participation track within the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI) cluster hire supported by the Office of the Chancellor. Other Rutgers units hiring in CDSAI include School of Arts and Sciences (Computer Science and Statistics) and Engineering. About CDSAI: https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/chancellor/communications/chancellor-challenge-update-data-science-artificial-intelligence-cluster-hire. Ideal candidates would be world-class AI researchers who advance the field of scholarship in areas such as Human centered AI; fairness in AI; AI & algorithmic bias; bias in big data; applied contexts of AI design and use in areas such as social media analysis, network analytics, knowledge discovery, science of science, research, reference, library database environments/ contexts, knowledge management, future of work, health care delivery, clinical decision support in health settings, in ed-tech, or among particular target populations such as young children or the aging; AI governance and oversight; social implications of AI. We will give special consideration to candidates whose work addresses and advances understanding of social inequalities and democratic participation in the context of AI systems, in keeping with the goals of the cluster hire (Computational Social Science: Social Inequality and Democratic Participation track)
Faculty hired in AI will be well positioned to lead externally funded research projects in such areas. Candidates who complement our faculty’s strengths, and can teach across our undergraduate and graduate programs are highly sought for application. We look forward to welcoming a new colleague who will contribute to our thriving undergraduate and master’s level programs in LIS, and our highly-regarded interdisciplinary school-wide Ph.D. program. Hires will be expected to contribute as relevant to wider CDSAI cluster initiatives and research and education programs at Rutgers.
The Department of Library and Information Science is a charter member of the iSchools Consortium, has a dynamic research and learning culture, is international in scope, and local in impact, and is in an exciting period of growth. We seek candidates whose work advances scholarly agendas in their given fields, complements our faculty’s strengths, and who can deliver excellent instruction for students within our undergraduate and graduate programs. As their careers advance, ideal faculty hires will be well positioned to lead externally funded research projects and to initiate and strengthen collaborative research efforts within the LIS Department, SC&I, and across Rutgers University.

Job Duties

Responsibilities of tenure-track faculty members include undergraduate and graduate teaching assignments, an active program of research in the candidate’s area of scholarly expertise, and service contributions in accordance with the university policy for tenure‐track and tenured appointments.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field is expected as of June 2025 for a September start date. Applicants should have a demonstrated record or strong likelihood of top-tier peer-reviewed publication and evidence of or preparation for effective teaching. Applicants at the rank of Associate Professor or above should provide evidence of leadership in research, instruction, and service; a record of external funding is a plus. We especially invite applicants whose work can help advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals at Rutgers, and within our department and school. The University Statement on Diversity can be found here: https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan/university-diversity-goal

Supplemental Information

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is the oldest, largest, and top-ranked public university in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. We have major campuses in three New Jersey cities, and footprints in dozens of locations around the region. Founded in 1766, Rutgers has over 67,000 students, more than 27,000 faculty and staff, and an alumni base of over 585,500 on six continents. Adjacent to New York and Pennsylvania, Rutgers is one of the most diverse universities in the nation and an academic, health, and research powerhouse. We are a university of opportunity for faculty, staff, and students.

The School of Communication and Information (SC&I) is a dynamic center of learning at the heart of the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. Founded in 1982, SC&I research and teaching is delivered by three academic departments: Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, and Library and Information Science. Through six undergraduate majors and minors, two master’s degrees, and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, the school teaches over 8,000 degree -seeking students each year, of whom 3,000+ are its own undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. Geographically adjacent and closely connected to the world’s largest media and information hubs and supported by Rutgers’ vibrant scholarly community, SC&I embraces the university goals of promoting diversity throughout our networks and programs, and is committed to social engagement. For more information about the school see: http://comminfo.rutgers.edu.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin October 15, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications will only be accepted through the Rutgers job board at https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/233691.

Candidates are asked to submit

(1) a thorough letter of application that articulates fit with the job ad and specific departmental and school‐wide research foci
(2) a statement of research and teaching
(3) a CV
(4) two sample publications
(5) the names and contact information for three references (no letters at this time).

Inquiries about this position can be sent to Prof. Sunyoung Kim, search committee chair, at [email protected].