PROFESSOR

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track faculty position for the Glenn and Deborah Renwick Leadership Professor in AI and Ethics in the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE).

This endowed professorship will support a faculty leader on ethical AI systems, including the development of AI methods and their applications in CISE-related fields. The recipient will conduct research at the intersection of technology and society with the specific goal of recognizing and understanding potential harms when AI algorithms are embedded in societal applications and the mechanisms are used for unethical monitoring and control. The recipient may also conduct research on how AI changes the nature of human-technology interaction over time.

Major research thrust areas include:

(1) Algorithmic fairness and development of socially conscious/aware algorithms: There is an intrinsic trade-off between computational accuracy and algorithm fairness (accounting for societal context) in developing predictive tools. This professorship will address contextual factors in algorithm prototyping and development. A burgeoning area of research interest is in “fairness gerrymandering” or the case in which an algorithm appears fair across individual groups but a subgroup characteristic leads to a heavy bias against one or more particular groups (e.g., uniform marketing of services across groups but with some groups being incapable of using services).

(2) Algorithmic Interpretability: Many machine learning tools are labeled as “black box algorithms” due to a lack of causal explanation of how inputs are transformed to outputs. There is a need for further understanding of causes and effects of changes within a model to allow for transfer of machine learning into the broader human knowledge base. Algorithm transparency is also instrumental in guarding against embedded bias.

(3) Study of legal, ethical, and social consequences of AI-driven technology and decision making.

(4) Other areas that address the unintended societal consequences of artificial intelligence. For example, research related to ethics beyond AI, including data handling and the study of data privacy, anonymization, and differential privacy (sharing information about a dataset without revealing personal information of individuals).

Salary to commensurate with education and experience.

PhD in Computer Science, or related field is required.

The preferred candidate will have skills in, AI, Machine Learning, Ethics, Bias

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled. All applications must be submitted through UFCareers at: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/521927. Complete applications must include the following files in PDF format: (1) cover letter (summary, introduction related to hiring emphasis areas); (2) a curriculum vitae; and (3) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of no less than three and up to five references. Additionally, please combine items 4-5 in one PDF and upload to the “other documents” selection in the application. (4) Research program vision statement. (5) Teaching statement. The anticipated start for the position is Summer or Fall 2023 with some flexibility for a later start based on individual needs. For additional questions, contact Dr. Prabhat Mishra at prabhat@ufl.edu.

The CISE Department (https://cise.ufl.edu/) at the University of Florida has 50 faculty members working in all aspects of computer science and engineering and is expected to grow over the upcoming years.  The total student population is over 4,500, (which makes the CISE Department the largest at the University of Florida) with more than 160 in the PhD program.  The University of Florida is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is ranked as the #5 best public US university according to US News & World Report.

Final candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

The University of Florida is committed to nondiscrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.