Assistant Professor / Associate Professor - Computational Neuroscience/Neural Data Science

The College of Engineering and Computer Science of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in collaboration with the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) is pleased to announce openings for faculty positions at the Assistant and Associate Professor levels. These positions are centered on computational neuroscience, neural data science, and brain-inspired computation, encompassing a wide range of specialties such as algorithmic approaches, hardware innovations, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and the software foundations of neuromorphic computing. Candidates will engage with data from model systems to explore the physiology of brain circuits. Successful candidates will play a critical role in advancing our research and educational goals, making significant contributions to our neuroscience research community at the Jupiter Campus. They will also collaborate with the research communities of other FAU campuses. These positions offer an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team at the forefront on integrating engineering and computational sciences with neuroscience research.

The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science is recognized for its extensive research in the broad areas of Biomedical Engineering, including neuroengineering and prosthetics, optics and biophotonics applications in neuroscience, tissue engineering, computational modeling and biomechanics, and biomedical devices for disease detection and monitoring. Our expertise extends to micro and nano biotechnology and biosensing, evolutionary genomics, and the development of wearable devices and sensing technologies for cognitive disorders. Research areas of distinction also include connected autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cryptography, data science and big data analytics, transportation and environmental engineering, intelligent energy technologies, multidomain autonomy and communications, and the development of bioinspired devices for coastal resilience.

The FAU Jupiter Campus serves as a hub for premier academic and research institutions, including the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Wilkes Honors College, several neuroscience and life science research laboratories from the College of Science. It also houses the Jupiter Branch of the FAU High School. Collaborating with esteemed partners such as the FAU Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH), the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and UF- Scripps Institute, this campus creates a vibrant STEM ecosystem. This unique environment is dedicated to advancing brain science and health-focused research, supporting interdisciplinary growth especially in areas that integrate functional neuroscience with computational modeling.

In addition to hosting the FAU High Performance Computing Cluster - which is directly linked to SNBI, MPFI, I-HEALTH, I-SENSE, and the College of Engineering - the campus boasts comprehensive facilities and a dynamic biomedical community. It is also site of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Synapses and Circuits. This doctoral program, the only one of its kind in the United States, is jointly administered by the College of Science and the MPFI, promoting groundbreaking research in neural connections and brain function.

At the rank of Associate Professor, the successful candidate will not only sustain a robust research and teaching portfolio, both independently and in collaboration, but will also assume a leadership role within the Computational Neuroscience Program at the SNBI. In this key role, the appointee will be responsible for setting strategic directions and fostering a culture of innovation. Central to this position is the integration of our engineering and computer science programs with our graduate neuroscience offerings, creating impactful educational and research collaborations. This will be achieved in partnership with prestigious institutions such as the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and the UF-Scripps Institute. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a significant record of research funding and scholarly contributions, substantial experience in mentoring students and junior faculty, a commitment to high-quality teaching across diverse courses, and active participation in interdisciplinary initiatives.

At the Assistant Professor rank, candidates are expected to exhibit a track record of advanced scholarly research in computational neuroscience. They should be prepared to initiate and develop a robust, independent research program that will attract competitive external funding. Additionally, candidates are required to contribute to the excellence of our educational programs. Responsibilities include mentorship of students and active participation in service roles within the university, college and associated Institutes.

Appointed candidates at both the Assistant and Associate ranks will be recognized as Fellows within FAU's multidisciplinary institutes including the SNBI, I-Health, and I-SENSE, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of these positions. The academic appointment will be in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Biomedical Engineering or the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - dual appointments in both departments are possible, showcasing our commitment to fostering collaborative and innovative research and teaching environments. The positions at both ranks are crucial for enhancing the university's academic and research environment, making it a nexus of neuroscientific advancement and educational excellence.

The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science, distinguished as one of the top three fastest-rising engineering colleges in the US from 2020-22 according to US News and World Report, now ranks 99th in graduate programs and 103rd in undergraduate programs among public institutions. Over the past 5 years, the college has achieved remarkable growth, including 190% increase in external research funding and a 171% rise in enrollment in computer science graduate programs. Additionally, the college has expanded its student internship opportunities by over 500%. The college's commitment to innovation is evident through its numerous accolade: 11 junior faculty members received NSF or NIH CAREER awards between 2018-22, and it launched Florida's first Masters of Science degree program in Artificial Intelligence. Recently, the college was bolstered by over $6.4 million from the NSF in graduate student training grants for AI, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. Our graduates boast some of the highest employment rates among engineering colleges in the Florida State University System, highlighting our dedication to student success and pioneering advancements in education and research.

The SNBI, formed in 2016, supports over 80 faculty level members across multiple FAU campuses, multiple research core facilities (e.g., Advanced Cell Imaging, Neurobehavior) and is home to two research centers (David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research and the AI-inspired Center for the Future Mind). The SNBI is also home to the multi-college Neuroscience Graduate Program, one of two such degree programs in the state of Florida, a program with three areas of Research and Education Emphasis, Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, Sensorimotor, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, and Cell, Molecular and Biomedical Neuroscience. The SNBI supports multiple community programs that introduce brain and science concepts to people of all ages, with a strong emphasis in youth programs. A strong partnership exists with the Cox Science Center and Aquarium where the SNBI and I-SENSE helped create a $2.5 million permanent exhibit Journey Through the Human Brain.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University seeks scholars who are committed to supporting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and to thoughtfully engaging all communities in higher education. Florida Atlantic University embodies a culture of strategic and collaborative community engagement that results in mutual benefit to the institution and the various internal and external communities that it serves.