King Abdullah University of Science and Technology: Faculty Positions: Center for Teaching and Learning

Location

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Deadline

Feb 28, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

The Center for Teaching and Learning at KAUST seeks to appoint one or more teaching stream faculty members in the field of artificial intelligence. Such a faculty member will teach in the underlying methodology of machine learning, and modern AI, as well as its application in software, using modern tools like TensorFlow and Pytorch. The faculty member will educate students in how to use these algorithms and software to implement advanced machine learning and AI methods on modern computing platforms, including graphical processor units (GPUs). The principal teaching will be on neural networks, for applications in image and natural language processing, but also in other areas, like medicine and geoscience. While the faculty member need not be an expert in all of these application areas, he/she should have deep enough understanding of the underlying methodology to adapt to a diverse set of applications.

The teaching responsibilities will come in several forms. The faculty member may teach up to one class each semester within a KAUST academic program, like Computer Science. Additionally, the faculty member will help lead small workshops at KAUST on AI training for a wide audience of scientists and engineers, for people who hope to apply the technology, but need not wish to become experts. Finally, KAUST is seeking to expand its exposure to the Saudi community outside the KAUST campus. AI training and development of “micro-credentials” will be performed for short periods in Saudi cities like Riyadh, accessible to a wide audience of technical people, as well as business leaders who hope to learn about what can be achieved with AI, but who do not seek to become experts themselves. These teaching opportunities outside of KAUST are meant to address the need for AI training throughout the Kingdom, and will help KAUST meet its expanded mission to help upskill a broad segment of the Saudi community. The faculty member will help design these training opportunities, and with KAUST colleagues will assist in their delivery. In this context, there may be opportunities to perform on-site training for employees at major Saudi companies.

For a teaching stream faculty member, it is anticipated that one would typically teach 2 to 3 classes per semester. However, the individual who fills the role described here will typically teach one class per semester. Therefore, the remaining time commitment is meant to address the development and implementation of AI workshops at KAUST, as well as the aforementioned training opportunities planned for Saudi cities like in Riyadh, and possibly targeted training for Saudi companies.

This teaching stream faculty position is full-time, over the 12 month calendar year, with vacation periods consistent with all KAUST faculty. The summer period will be a particularly important time for developing and executing the teaching to be performed outside KAUST.

Qualifications

We welcome candidates with a PhD in Computer Science or related areas, with a strong background in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please complete the interfolio application form and upload the following materials:

• A cover letter;
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• A teaching statement that includes a teaching philosophy, summary of teaching experience, interests and accomplishments;
• Student evaluations of teaching and syllabi of courses developed and taught;
• The names and contact information for at least 3 (preferably 5) references