Canada Research Chairs (Tier 2) in Computer Science: Generative Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Intelligence for Robotics (Assistant/Associate Professor)
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University invites highly qualified applicants for two (2) Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (CRC) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor positions in Computer Science: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or AI for Robotics. These are tenure-track appointments to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Positions
These positions are Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs. The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., within 10 years of attaining their highest degree at the time of nomination, with consideration for career breaks) who have the acknowledged potential to lead their field of research. Appointment to a Tier 2 Chair is for five years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Applicants who are more than 10 years from their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, including maternity leave, extended sick leave, clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. Please see the CRC website for further eligibility details.
Recognizing the underrepresentation of women and gender minorities among CRCs, these positions are open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.
York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.
These are research-enhanced faculty positions partially funded by the Connected Minds program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidates will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidates will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship in three main themes: I. Co-creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact; II. Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks; and III. Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years.
About the Department
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at York University is one of the foremost academic and research departments in Canada with more than 80 faculty members and offers a range of undergraduate programs and research-intensive graduate degrees. For further information please visit http://lassonde.yorku.ca/eecs.
About the Lassonde School of Engineering
Established in 2012, the Lassonde School of Engineering, York University offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs to educate multidisciplinary problem solvers, critical thinkers, and entrepreneurs who understand creativity, communications, social responsibility, and cultural diversity. Further information is available at http://lassonde.yorku.ca/.
Candidate Qualifications:
• Degree: PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field is required.
• Scholarship:
o A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in Generative AI or AI for Robotics
o A record or evident promise of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research at the level of exceptional emerging researchers acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
o A record or evident promise of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence in the field (e.g., a research statement, a record of publications (or forthcoming publications) with significant journals in the field; presentations at major conferences; awards and accolades; strong recommendations from referees of high standing; and a proposal for an original, innovative research program of high quality).
• Teaching:
o A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (e.g., teaching accomplishments, pedagogical innovations, student and peer evaluations).
o Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the positions will involve graduate teaching and supervision.
Hiring Policies:
• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Christal Chapman, EDI Program Manager (chapman7@yorku.ca; 416-736-5713).
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples of Canada will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact eecsjoin.yorku.ca.
Application Process:
• Due date for completed applications: April 8, 2024
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter specifying which position applying for; 3) statement of the research program that the applicant would seek to establish at York; 4) statement outlining their teaching philosophy and contributions to teaching (and curriculum development, if applicable); 5) three sample research publications. Candidates selected for further consideration will be asked to provide contact details for three referees.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the positions to eecsjoin.yorku.ca.
• Submit materials online at:
o for the position in Generative AI: http://apply.interfolio.com/140223
o for the position in AI for Robotics: http://apply.interfolio.com/140217
Learn More About York:
• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile.
York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.
