Computer Science & Engineering: Assistant or Associate Professor, Generative Artificial Intelligence (initial review Dec. 20, 2024)

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for positions at the rank of assistant or associate professor. We seek outstanding applicants with research and teaching expertise in all areas of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), with an emphasis in Natural Language Processing (NLP). We are especially interested in candidates who have made scientific contributions across both GenAI and NLP including but not limited to language modeling, model explainability, multimodal understanding and synthesis, GenAI for social good, human-robot interaction or related areas. The position is based at our Silicon Valley campus in Santa Clara, California.

UC Santa Cruz is one of 10 campuses in the University of California system and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an association of the top research universities in the US. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is part of the Baskin School of Engineering. Baskin Engineering is home to six departments contributing to the richness of its research in materials, devices and instruments; engineering mathematics; computing; and health engineering. The CSE department has nationally and internationally known researchers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, theoretical computer science, programming languages, security, distributed systems, storage systems, computer architectures, VLSI, and networking. With a rich history of embracing groundbreaking interdisciplinary work and building deep research ties with industry, the UCSC residential campus is nestled in a redwood forest above the city of Santa Cruz, while the nearby Santa Clara campus affords unique and exciting opportunities for collaboration with industry researchers, as well as with faculty and students at other San Francisco Bay Area universities.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the M.S. program in NLP located at the Silicon Valley campus; develop a research program; advise graduate students in their research area; obtain external funding; develop and teach courses within the undergraduate and graduate curriculum; perform university, public and professional service; and interact broadly with the large number of researchers in Silicon Valley industrial research and advanced development labs. The job entails traveling from the SVC campus to the main UCSC campus, as such, the selected candidate must be able to travel to multiple work locations and travel within a defined regional or service area.

UC Santa Cruz values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is committed to hiring faculty who will work to promote these values. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of our path to excellence in Baskin Engineering. The successful candidates must be able to work with students, faculty, and staff from various social and cultural backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations.

A minority-serving institution (MSI) with a high proportion of first-in-family students, UC Santa Cruz is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a member of the Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Research Universities (HRSU), a member of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CAHSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and a member of several leading identity and ethnic affinity professional societies, including the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). To be considered, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the barriers facing women, people of color, and other groups historically underrepresented in engineering, as well as describe their experience and future plans to promote equity and inclusion in teaching, mentoring, and research, and in broadening participation in engineering. Application packages will be considered with a view toward potential as much as achievement. DEI statements will be read and scored as part of a holistic assessment throughout the review process. Efforts supporting equity and inclusion at UC Santa Cruz will be recognized as important during the merit review and promotion process. The selected candidates will receive a start-up package that includes funding in support of furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

The chosen candidate will be expected to sign a statement representing that they are not the subject of any ongoing investigation or disciplinary proceeding at their current academic institution or place of employment, nor have they in the past ten years been formally disciplined at any academic institution/place of employment. In the event the candidate cannot make this representation, they will be expected to disclose in writing to the hiring Dean the circumstances surrounding any formal discipline that they have received, as well as any current or ongoing investigation or disciplinary process of which they are the subject. (Note that discipline includes a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve a matter related to substantiated misconduct.)

Department of Computer Science and Engineering: https://engineering.ucsc.edu/departments/computer-science-and-engineering/

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in computer science or a relevant field. It is expected that the degree requirements will be completed by June 30, 2025.
• A demonstrated record of research.

For applicants who do not possess the applicable terminal degree when they submit their applications, they must document in their application materials (e.g., c.v., cover letter, etc.) that their projected date for completing their degree will be on or before June 30, 2025.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation* (a minimum of 3 are required and a maximum of 5 will be accepted). Please note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System. Additionally, the department will solicit external letters from experts in the field for those candidates who move to the final interview stage.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://compliance.ucsc.edu/campus-safety-compliance/annual-reports/. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu