Director of the Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI)

Purdue University invites applications for a strategic and collaborative leader with a distinguished profile to build a world-class institute, the Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) , that accelerates Purdue’s leadership in physical AI. The Institute for Physical AI is a key pillar of a major presidential initiative, Purdue Computes , which connects faculty and students from across the institution to enable the university to advance to the forefront of the discipline with unparalleled excellence at scale. The university has committed to invest in 100 faculty lines and > $100M in research and learning facilities over the next five years , and the IPAI Director will play a critical role in determining and leveraging how these Purdue Computes investments will propel the university to even higher levels. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President for Research, the IPAI Director will build a world-leading program in AI that connects the virtual world with the physical world by leveraging Purdue’s signature strengths in computer science, engineering, agriculture, social, and life sciences. In this way, the IPAI Director will work closely with faculty, students, and external partners to develop and implement a vision for IPAI that positions it as a world-class institute for research, education, and innovation in physical AI. The Director will also be responsible for building and managing IPAI’s resources, including its budget, staff, and facilities.
 

Specific position responsibilities for the Director include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing a strategic plan for IPAI that aligns with the university’s overall goals and priorities.
• Cultivating and maintaining a strong relationship with industrial, foundation, and governmental partners.
• Building and nurturing a strong research and education community in the physical AI space at Purdue.
• Overseeing IPAI’s research programs and projects.
• Recruiting and retaining, in conjunction with deans and departmental leaders, world-class faculty and students in physical AI to educate and train the next-generation workforce.
• Securing funding for IPAI’s research, educational, and workforce programs.
• Collaborate with other Purdue units to develop and implement interdisciplinary research and educational programs in physical AI.
• Representing IPAI to the university community and external stakeholders.
• Promoting IPAI's research, workforce development, and educational programs to the public.

This position is envisioned to be full-time within the university administration with a 12-month appointment, and an affiliated faculty appointment is possible depending on candidate interest and qualifications

The successful candidate will catalyze innovation and disruption in the field that leads to scientific and/or technical breakthroughs. Thus, the successful candidate should possess:

• A terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) in engineering, science, technology, education, computing, or related field
• Accomplishments that merit appointment as a tenure-track or clinical faculty member
• Demonstrated record of research in a related field
• Experience in leading and managing interdisciplinary teams
• A strong record of securing funding for research
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships with external entities, faculty, staff, and students in research, educational, and workforce development efforts

Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlight the applicant’s personal vision for IPAI and relevant leadership experience. The search committee will begin reviewing candidates on February 26, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and questions regarding the position or the application process may be directed to Stephanie Ferguson, Executive Recruiter, Purdue University Human Resources, at [email protected]. All submissions will be kept confidential during the search process.

Founded in 1869, Purdue University is Indiana’s public land-grant university and a world-class research and teaching institution known for global impact at scale. In 2023, for the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Purdue among the top 10 Most Innovative Schools in the nation. A member of the Association of American Universities, the Big Ten Academic Alliance, and the American Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Purdue has outstanding academic programs in the colleges and schools of agriculture, education, engineering, health sciences, liberal arts, management, pharmacy, technology, science, and veterinary medicine.

The University also has a rich culture of interdisciplinary research and translation, which is supported by university-wide institutes and centers headquartered in Purdue’s Discovery Park District – an area where people, ideas, and partners converge to address grand challenges facing society. In Fall 2023, Purdue’s flagship campus in West Lafayette enrolled a diverse student body of over 12,100 graduate students and 39,000 undergraduate students, and has over 400,000 loyal alumni around the world. In 2023, Purdue’s engineering and agriculture programs were ranked in the Top 5 in the U.S. for both quality and scale, and the University graduated more than two-thirds of its students in high-demand STEM fields. Purdue reached a record $754M in annual research expenditures. Complementing its strong support from government and philanthropic sponsors, Purdue has rapidly growing partnerships with corporations and start-ups, with over 25 strategic alliance partners and 380 industry sponsors.

Compensation arrangements are competitive and commensurate with both experience and achievement. A background check is a requirement for this position.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including individuals from minority groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply