"Assistant Professor of Philosophy (RISE-AI)"

Job Summary

The highly ranked Department of Philosophy is seeking excellent junior candidates for a tenure-track faculty position in Philosophy of Mind with a research and teaching focus on AI and related computing technologies. The selected candidate will mount a vigorous research program while making significant contributions to the department's teaching mission. The successful candidate will be interested in bolstering interdisciplinary research on campus, drawing on insights from relevant fields such as AI design, the brain sciences, and cognitive science to answer fundamental questions about the presence of capacities such as consciousness, agency, creativity and other cognitive abilities in AI.

In addition, the candidate will promote the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science, which values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

Successful applicants will teach graduate and undergraduate classes, mentor students, conduct scholarly research, and provide service to the department, college, university, and academic community nationally or internationally. The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

This recruitment is part of a new university-wide initiative called RISE AI (Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence in AI); learn more at https://rise.wisc.edu/rise-ai/. Over a three-year period, UW–Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/.

The Department of Philosophy at UW-Madison is highly rated and has department strengths in traditional areas of Philosophy as well as a variety of subdisciplines, including Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Education, Philosophy of Mind, and AI Ethics. Our department is multidisciplinary and has a highly collaborative environment. Madison is the state's capitol city and is well known for offering a small town feel in a medium sized city. It is a great place to raise a family and offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, stimulating cultural events, outstanding schools and outdoor recreation.

In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire faculty who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance. Learn more about the L&S mission on our webpage: http://ls.wisc.edu/about/mission.

Key Job Responsibilities

Successful applicants will teach graduate and undergraduate classes, mentor students, conduct scholarly research, and provide service to the department, college, university, and academic community nationally or internationally. The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

Department

College of Letters and Science, Department of Philosophy

Compensation

Negotiable – 9 months / ongoing / renewable

Required Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate evidence of creativity, excellence in teaching and scholarly research, and an interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research efforts with other colleagues and centers on campus. In addition, the successful will demonstrate the ability to foster a teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and a research environment where all can thrive.

Education

PhD in Philosophy or similar is required by the start of appointment.

How to Apply

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under Job Requisition JR10004436. For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Nov 2, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring.

Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Applicants should submit the following 4 items:

• A letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• A teaching and mentoring statement
• A writing sample of roughly 35 pages

Applicants will receive an email requesting the names and contact information for three references; each reference will receive an electronic link through which they can upload a signed letter of reference.