Engineering - Assistant/Associate Professor (Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Engineering Design Innovation)

The School of Engineering Design and Teaching Innovation (SEDTI) in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa is seeking a creative, dynamic, energetic and bilingual individual for a tenure-track professor position in Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Engineering Design Innovation. The School of Engineering Design and Teaching Innovation, with their dedicated state-of-the-art prototyping facilities located in the STEM building, is a hub of multidisciplinary engineering thinking and delivers several multidisciplinary programs that include the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Design, as well as graduate programs in Engineering Management (both in-person and on-line), Digital Transformation and Innovation and Systems Science.

Title of the position: Assistant or Associate Professor

We seek an innovative and passionate educator and scholar with a multidisciplinary background who can bridge the gap between AI technology, ethics, engineering design, and non-engineering disciplines. The ideal candidate will contribute to our growing program in responsible AI and design, foster industry and community partnerships, and help shape the future of responsible AI development and implementation through innovative design and teaching methods, as well as hands-on, experiential learning approaches.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach courses in responsible AI, applied AI/ML, AI ethics, and engineering design, emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning
• Design and implement innovative teaching methods that incorporate real-world AI challenges and responsible deployment, ethical considerations, and engineering design principles
• Conduct cutting-edge research on applied and responsible AI
• Mentor students and supervise graduate research projects, encouraging practical application of responsible AI principles
• Establish and maintain partnerships with industry leaders and community organizations to create experiential learning opportunities for students and collaborative research opportunities
• Collaborate with other faculties on interdisciplinary AI initiatives and innovative curriculum development
• Engage with industry partners, policymakers, and community stakeholders to promote responsible AI practices and drive innovation
• Contribute to the integration of AI ethics concepts across the engineering curriculum
• Contribute to university service at the School and Faculty levels and to university-wide responsible AI initiatives

Terms: Tenure-track position
Wage:  Salary scale for an assistant professor starts at $94,588 (as of May 1, 2023)
Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package, which includes long-term disability leave, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, a pension plan and optional life insurance, as well as relocation expenses.
Location of work:  The School of Engineering Design and Teaching Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, 200 Lees Avenue and Main Campus, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5.

The University of Ottawa is located on the unceded territory of the Anishinabé-Algonquin people, in the heart of Canada’s capital, which provides world-class cultural and recreational opportunities. The University of Ottawa is one of Canada’s top-ten research-intensive universities, and the world’s largest English/French bilingual university. The Faculty of Engineering provides a learning environment that promotes excellence and innovation, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial design. Excellence and diversity in research are built on strong collaboration with industry and government research institutions, many of which are located in the nation’s capital. Further information can be found on our website, located at https://www2.uottawa.ca/faculty-engineering/school-engineering-design-teaching-innovation

Contact information: Dr. Hanan Anis ([email protected]), Director, School of Engineering Design and Teaching Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5.

Skills requirements:
Required:

• D. in a relevant field such as Applied AI, Digital Transformation and Innovation Engineering Design or a related interdisciplinary area
• Demonstrated research experience in responsible AI, AI ethics, or ethical engineering design
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic environment
• Passion for engineering education, experiential learning, and engineering design
• Experience in developing industry or community partnerships
• Bilingual in both English and French

Preferred:

• Background that combines AI/ML expertise with other disciplines (e.g., philosophy, law, management, health sciences, education)
• Demonstrated experience in teaching in higher education
• Familiarity with AI policy, governance frameworks, and engineering standards
• Industry experience or strong connections with AI practitioners and non-academic organizations
• Track record of securing funding for research or educational initiatives in applied AI
• Experience in curriculum development and implementation of hands-on learning projects in engineering contexts

Application deadline: January 31, 2025. The application material consists of a cover letter, a CV, detailed teaching and research statements along with the contact information for three referees.

More information regarding Academic Careers can be found online. Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff and faculty. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minority members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women and all qualified applicants with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities. Applicants who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire when they apply.

In accordance with government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by emailing the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its more than 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.