Position Rank and Title: Tenure-track Assistant Professor

School/Department Name:  Applied Data Science

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $110,000 - $120,000 annually.       

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.  See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August 5, 2026

Application Deadline:  Review of applications to begin December 1st, 2025. The position remains open until filled (or recruitment canceled).

Position Description

The Department of Applied Data Science at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Applied Data Science beginning in August 2026. We are seeking candidates with expertise in areas such as Embodied AI, robot perception and control, robotics software systems, and multi-modal learning or Cyber Intelligence with a focus on advanced Machine Learning and AI techniques such as Secure AI to contribute to our interdisciplinary applied data science curriculum. While all applications will be reviewed, priority will be given to candidates with expertise in the specified areas.

Successful applicants will be expected to teach courses in areas such as Embodied Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Cyber Intelligence, Agentic Cybersecurity with a focus on advanced Machine Learning and AI techniques such as Secure AI and applications of AI in cybersecurity. Candidates will also be encouraged to engage in collaborative research that addresses real-world challenges involving intelligent agents, autonomous systems, cyber intelligence, and advanced cyber machine learning across various industries and societal domains

Established in 2018, the Department of Applied Data Science prepares students to meet the growing demand for interdisciplinary talent in designing and deploying intelligent, data-driven solutions. We provide a strong foundation in the principles, methods, and technologies of data science and AI, guided by input from leading AI professionals and Silicon Valley companies to ensure industry relevance. Our MS in Applied Data Intelligence program equips students with the skills to extract insights from real data and solve practical challenges in today’s rapidly evolving AI and data economy. Currently, more than 400 students are enrolled in this program, with continued plans for future growth. More than 150 Silicon Valley companies have hired our students for internships and permanent positions. We are expanding and building new degree programs in areas such as physical AI and cyber intelligence.

More information about the Department of Applied Data Science at San José State University can be found here. More information about the MS in Applied Data Intelligence program can be found here.

The Applied Data Science and San José State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines.
 

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in computer science, data science, computer engineering or related fields by the start of appointment.
• Demonstrated potential for scholarly and professional achievement.
• Demonstrated potential for teaching and/or training effectiveness.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Ability to teach courses in Embodied AI (e.g., multi-modal learning, real-time perception and control, sensor fusion, reinforcement learning, simulation environments) or Trustworthy and Secure AI (e.g., explainable AI, adversarial robustness, privacy-preserving techniques)
• The ability to teach courses to students with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
• Industry experience in applied data science, AI, robotics, or related technologies, particularly with Silicon Valley companies or similar innovation ecosystems
• The potential to jointly develop applied research projects in emerging AI and data science fields with Silicon Valley companies.

Key Responsibilities

• The candidate will have teaching responsibilities in AI and applied technologies.
• The candidate will be actively engaged in scholarly activities, as evidenced by: conducting research, presenting professional papers, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and developing grants.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
•  Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.
  
  
  

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• letter of interest
• curriculum vitae
• inclusive excellence statement (dedicated statement or addressed in letter of interest)
• statement of teaching interests/philosophy
• research plans
• contact information for three references

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Simon Shim, Department Chair, at simon.shim@sjsu.edu.

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence.  Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.