Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
Joint Appointment with the School of Computing and Data Sciences
American University of Beirut
The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) invites applications for the Rula and Fuad Tamer Chair in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (AI). This prestigious endowed chair seeks an exceptional scholar or practitioner whose work will define how artificial intelligence reshapes engineering over the coming decades.
The appointment will be based in MSFEA, with a joint appointment in AUB's newly established School of Computing and Data Sciences, creating a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI research and education across one of the region's leading universities. Appointment will be at the rank of Professor or Professor of Practice. The preferred start date is September 2027.
We seek candidates with outstanding academic credentials and an established international reputation for scholarship or professional achievement at the intersection of artificial intelligence and engineered physical systems, including robotics and autonomous systems. Of particular interest are candidates whose work enables systems that sense, learn, reason, and act in real environments. We welcome applicants who develop novel AI methods motivated by engineering challenges as well as those who use state-of-the-art AI to achieve transformative advances in engineering.
The Chair will contribute to undergraduate and graduate education through innovative teaching, curriculum development, and mentorship, and will foster interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, computing, medicine, business, and the natural sciences. The appointee will also be expected to cultivate partnerships with industry, government, and international research organizations, helping position AUB as a leader in engineering AI.
Candidates pursuing appointment as Professor should hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in engineering or a closely related discipline and have a distinguished record of scholarship, teaching and mentorship, externally funded research, and academic leadership. Candidates pursuing appointment as Professor of Practice should have a distinguished record of professional achievement and leadership in industry or another relevant sector, with demonstrated contributions to technological innovation and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to education, mentorship, and the intellectual life of the University.
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut is the leading institution of higher education in the Middle East. AUB combines the rigor of an American-style research university with a longstanding commitment to addressing the region's most pressing challenges through scholarship, innovation, and public service. The Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and the School of Computing and Data Sciences provide a dynamic interdisciplinary environment offering exceptional opportunities for collaboration, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.
Applicants should submit:
- A cover letter describing their interest in the position;
- A curriculum vitae;
- A statement of research or professional accomplishments and future research vision;
- A statement of teaching and mentorship experience and interests;
- The names and contact information of at least three references; and
- Up to five representative scholarly publications or other works demonstrating significant technical contributions.
The application should be sent by email to msfea@aub.edu.lb, and addressed to the Dean, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The American University of Beirut is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified candidates from around the world.
AUB’s homepage is at: www.aub.edu.lb
MSFEA’s homepage is at: www.aub.edu.lb/msfea

