Associate Professor or Professor in the area of AI Systems and Causal Reasoning

Department: Franklin-Statistics

About the University of Georgia:

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department:

The Department of Statistics is a growing and vibrant department of 34 faculty within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. The Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Statistics; B.S. and M.S. degrees in Data Science; and an online M.S. in Applied Data Science. The Department has a strong and growing research profile, with faculty conducting theoretical, methodological, computational and applied research across a broad range of areas. In addition to making foundational contributions to the field of statistics, our faculty also collaborate broadly across disciplines, with a strong and successful record of securing multidisciplinary research funding. Additional information is available at the Department of Statistics website at https://stat.uga.edu.

The Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IAI) is a separate, interdisciplinary research and instructional unit managing the A.B. in Cognitive Science and two graduate AI degree programs housing nearly 300 students. The M.S. in AI is one of the oldest such programs in the country. The Ph.D. in AI was approved in 2022. The interdisciplinary nature of AI and Cognitive Science is reflected in the mission and composition of the Institute. Eight faculty with full or partial appointments with the Institute and more than a hundred affiliated faculty members who come from several departments and colleges across UGA offer an exceptional environment to collaborate. More details about IAI can be found on its website at https://ai.uga.edu.

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of UGA's learning environment, advancing knowledge, research, and creative activity across more than 40 departments, schools, and institutes. With a vision for high-impact research and education, Franklin College prepares students for leadership and global engagement in a sustainable future. The College has a strong commitment to multidisciplinary research, collaboration and academic innovation.

Posting Type: External

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2027

Job Posting Date: 10/05/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply, submit the following:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of research interests and contributions
4. Statement of teaching philosophy and experience
5. Names and contact information for at least three references. Letters will only be requested for shortlisted candidates.

Applications received by November 13, 2026 will receive full consideration, but review will continue until the position is filled. For questions about the position, contact Dr. Ting Zhang (tingzhang@uga.edu), Head of Department of Statistics and Dr. Prashant Doshi (pdoshi@uga.edu), Director of IAI.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Open Rank

Faculty Rank: Open Rank (Tenure Track)

Contract Type: Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or a related field.

Position Summary:

The Department of Statistics and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IAI) at the University of Georgia (UGA) invite applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the area of AI Systems and Causal Reasoning. The expected start date of the position is August 1, 2027. This is a joint position between the Department of Statistics and IAI, with the Department of Statistics serving as the tenure home.

Additional Requirements:

Candidates for Associate Professor or Professor rank with tenure must have qualifications and academic credentials that are commensurate with promotion and tenure guidelines at UGA and must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire. The guidelines are found at https://provost.uga.edu/faculty-affairs/promotion-tenure/.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

We seek an accomplished scholar whose research lies at the intersection of statistics and artificial intelligence, with an interest in advancing the statistics and computation of causal reasoning for AI systems. The successful candidate is expected to have a strong background in both statistics and artificial intelligence, with a research track record demonstrating significant contributions, or strong promise of significant contributions, to both fields. Relevant research may encompass mathematical, statistical, or computational foundations of artificial intelligence. In addition to high-quality publications, the successful candidate is expected to have an established record of external research funding and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Is this a Position of Trust?: No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): No

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.