Assistant/Associate Professor, History of Artificial Intelligence

About the role

The Department of History in the School of Humanities and Arts at Rice University seeks a tenure‑track assistant or associate professor in the history of artificial intelligence, broadly conceived. The appointment begins on July 1, 2027 and will complement the department’s strengths at both the graduate and undergraduate levels while joining a growing cluster of AI scholars across the university.

Responsibilities

• Teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students, with a 2‑2 semester‑based teaching load.
• Maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication in the history of AI or related fields.
• Contribute service to the Department of History, Rice University, and the broader profession.
• Collaborate intellectually with a concurrent hire in Anthropology focused on the social and cultural dimensions of AI.
• Build bridges between History and interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Ken Kennedy Institute, Data Sciences, the Medical Humanities Program, the Science and Technology Studies Program, Environmental Studies, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in History or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Appointment start date: July 1, 2027.
• Geographical specialization is open.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in historical research.
• Clear evidence of teaching effectiveness at the university level.
• Ability to mentor and teach a diverse student body.

Schedule

Rice University operates on a semester‑based teaching schedule with a 2‑2 teaching load for faculty.

Application Materials

• Letter of application summarizing research and teaching qualifications.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Research statement.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., course evaluations, syllabi, or teaching statement).
• Article‑length writing sample.
• Contact information for three professional references.