Assistant Professor, Artificial Intelligence & Biological Cognition

The Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence & Biological Cognition, starting as early as July 1, 2023. Exceptional candidates may be considered for hiring at the rank of Associate Professor.

This position is part of a University of Alberta cluster hire in the areas of research strength that include Health, Energy and Indigenous Initiatives in health and humanities, among others. The University of Alberta is world-renowned for its strength in AI; this cohort will bring together and foster the next generation of scientists leading the development of machine learning for societal benefit, fulfilling Amii's mandate of AI for good and for all.

The Department of Psychology currently has strengths in AI, computational neuroscience, behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, cognition, comparative cognition and behaviour, developmental science, and social and cultural psychology. The Department offers a highly collegial and supportive work environment for new and established academics, with outstanding support for research and teaching.

We welcome candidates with specialization in an area of Artificial Intelligence & Biological Cognition that complements and broadens our current strengths. We particularly encourage candidates with research programs in the areas of memory, learning, navigation, perception and language, with special emphasis on how these areas intersect with artificial intelligence and deep learning. 

Successful candidates will be nominated for a Canada CIFAR Artificial Intelligence (CCAI) Chair by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Amii is one of three institutes named in the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy and represents more than 35 artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) researchers at the U of A, as well as CCAI Chairs at post-secondary institutions across Western Canada. The CCAI Chair includes research funding for at least five years and membership as an Amii fellow.

Candidates are expected to have a PhD in Psychology, Computing Science or closely related field (e.g., Neuroscience, Computational Psychology) by the date of the appointment or shortly thereafter; demonstrated potential to develop an innovative research program that is externally funded; and to provide high-caliber teaching and mentorship at undergraduate and graduate levels. Evaluation of research potential will be based on the applicant’s record of publications and presentations in high impact venues; research funding record; a summary of planned research projects; and appropriately supportive and detailed letters of reference (to be made available on request after an initial screening of all applications). Teaching and supervisory potential must be documented via previous teaching experiences, reference letters, and a statement of teaching philosophy. Strong potential to collaborate with researchers in the Department and other units of the University of Alberta will be viewed as an asset.

Interested individuals should submit:

• A cover letter that includes the names, titles and contact information of three referees. (Letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interviews).
• Their Curriculum vitae.
• A description of their area(s) of research and planned research projects (attached under “Research Plan”).
• An EDI statement that includes their contributions and plans to advance EDI in their research, teaching, and service (attached under “EDI Philosophy”).
• A statement of teaching philosophy (attached under “Statement of Teaching/Research Interests”).

Inquiries regarding the position can be addressed to the Department Chair, Dr. Anthony Singhal at [email protected] , or Llyn Madsen at [email protected] (using “Faculty Positions 2023” as the email’s subject).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered.

Review of applications will begin February 28, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled, with a targeted start date of July 1, 2023.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.