Posting Number:

F2205P

Working Title:

Executive Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Department:

UHR-HR Search Services

About the University of Georgia:

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 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 in Athens, GA, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 43,000 students including over 32,000 undergraduates and over 10,500 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, which includes a newly announced School of Medicine that will build on the success of the medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens. As one of the top public universities in the nation, UGA offers a culture of academic excellence and opportunity made all the richer by our renowned faculty, diverse community of scholar-citizens, and vibrant student life program.

About the College/Unit/Department:

UGA’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IAI) is an interdepartmental research and instructional unit jointly supported by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. It offers three interdisciplinary degree programs:

• The Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science,

• The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, and

• The Doctor of Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence.

In addition, the Institute participates in two combined undergraduate/graduate programs, allowing a student to earn within five years either an AB in Cognitive science or a BS in Computer science as well as an MS in Artificial Intelligence. A multidisciplinary Certificate in Artificial Intelligence will likely be available in the 2025 Spring Semester.

We pride ourselves on the diversity of our student body, the strength of our educational programs, and the ability of our programs to allow for the pursuit of personal research interests. The Institute’s strengths include Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Vision, Trustworthy and Ethical AI, Neural and Deep Networks, Genetic and Evolutionary Algorithms, Knowledge Representation and Reasoning, Natural Language Processing and Computational Psycholinguistics. Affiliated with the Institute are approximately 80 UGA faculty from 12 schools and colleges.

The Institute also has strong collaborative ties with UGA’s new School of Computing (SoC), a joint venture between UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. The SoC enrolls almost 1900 undergraduate majors and 260 graduate students and is home to 45 full-time faculty who carry out teaching and research in a variety of computer science areas, including cybersecurity, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, distributed systems, data privacy, human-computer interaction, and a host of other related topics.

This is an exciting opportunity to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at a time when the University of Georgia is aggressively repositioning the organization to be a leader in multidisciplinary research, instruction, and broader service. The most recent Presidential Interdisciplinary Hiring Initiative in Data Science and AI has led to the recruitment of nearly 70 faculty across campus. The Institute will play a key role in bringing these new faculty and the current faculty who are working in relevant disciplines together to strengthen the teaching, research, and engagement to advance the research and application of artificial intelligence.

College/Unit/Department website:

https://www.ai.uga.edu/

Posting Type:

External

Retirement Plan:

TRS or ORP

Employment Type:

Employee

Benefits Eligibility:

Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary:

Commensurate with Experience

Anticipated Start Date:

08/01/2025

Job Posting Date:

11/07/2024

Open until filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Monday, February 17, 2025; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; a current resume; and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).

To request a descriptive Opportunity Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or seek additional information, please contact Callie West, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 805-813-3901 or Callie.West@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

Location of Vacancy:

Athens Area

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran 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 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as 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 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title:

Director, College/Division/School AC

Faculty Rank:

Professor

Contract Type:

Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status:

Tenured

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Computer Science or related disciplines.

Position Summary:

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and nominations for Executive Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at the rank of full professor to begin on August 1, 2025.

The University seeks candidates who are innovative and accomplished leaders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and multidisciplinary collaborations spanning natural /social sciences, humanities, arts, engineering, education, agriculture, computer science and related areas. The successful candidate will be able to articulate a pacesetting, innovative, and compelling vision for the multiple pathways that artificial intelligence permeates the instructional, research, and service mission of the flagship public research university in the state.

The Executive Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence will work collaboratively with the Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost to advance AI academic programs and AI research and outreach. This person will lead a team comprised of an Associate Director for Academic Programs, an Associate Director for Research and an administrative team.

Additional Requirements:

• An excellent and sustained record of scholarly accomplishment, as evidenced through peer-reviewed publications in the areas of Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning, external grant funding, student mentorship, and related contributions, that would merit appointment as a tenured Professor at the University of Georgia with the potential for appointment as an endowed Distinguished Professorship.
• To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must have been tenured at a prior institution and bring a demonstrably national reputation to UGA. Candidates must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire. For more information regarding the rank and tenure on appointment, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• A demonstrated track record of multidisciplinary collaborations that engage faculty from across a broad spectrum (e.g., science and engineering disciplines, social sciences, humanities, arts, etc.);
• A demonstrated track record of significant extramural research support, preferably across multiple federal agencies, including leadership on successful large proposals, and/or corporate or philanthropic support;
• A demonstrated track record of supporting student success for undergraduate and graduate students;
• A demonstrated track record of professional recognition and distinguished professional service;
• A demonstrated track record of promoting and creating environments that are welcoming and inclusive;
• At least two years of administrative leadership experience.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to collaborate collegially with a wide range of internal and external constituencies;
• Knowledge of industry trends in AI and skills for successful engagement of industry partners to help drive innovation.

Is this a Position of Trust?:

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?:

Yes

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):

Yes

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.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the faculty and University administration to develop a plan to grow and advance AI at UGA;
• Recruit, mentor, retain, and evaluate the faculty of the Institute;
• Oversee the budget and human resources of the Institute;
• Work with the faculty, Deans, the Vice President for Research, and other stakeholders to increase research funding in the Institute, to support faculty research projects and to support a growing graduate program;
• Work with development staff across the University to seek philanthropic support for the Institute, in the form of student support and endowed professorships.

Percentage Of Time:

100