Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, in Informatics

Description

The University of Washington Information School (iSchool) is accepting applications for up to two tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor level starting September 1, 2026. 

As an interdisciplinary unit, our faculty explore information-based approaches to understand and address systemic challenges and to make social impact. This search is specifically focused on attracting candidates that can contribute to our research and teaching portfolio as aligned with our Informatics program, with an emphasis in data science. At the Information School, Informatics includes the study, design, and development of information technology for the good of people, organizations, and society. Relevant disciplinary training can include, but is not limited to, computer and information science, the social sciences, or engineering. The research area of interest for this position is artificial intelligence, including but not limited to human-AI collaboration; computational social science; and AI governance, policy, and cybersecurity.

The position is a full-time 9-month tenure track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026, contingent upon funding approval. All University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. This position will be expected to: 

• Conduct high-quality research 

• Pursue extramural funding as needed to support research 

• Engage with the University of Washington Information School’s strategic commitments to one or more of the following areas: 

(1) promote equity in health & wellbeing

(2) encourage environmental sustainability and resilience

(3) foster a more informed, just, and equitable democratic society.  

(4) responsibility in artificial intelligence

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of specialization, as well as advance our Informatics and Data Science curriculum

• Perform service that furthers the mission of the Information School and the University of Washington more broadly

About the iSchool

The UW Information School is dedicated to hiring faculty who will enhance our inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and sovereignty (IDEAS) mission and vision through their research, teaching, and service. As information systems and institutions serve increasingly diverse and global constituencies, it is vital to understand the ways in which differences in gender, class, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, national and cultural boundaries, national origin, worldview, intellectual origin, ability, and other identities can both divide us and offer us better ways of thinking and working. The Information School faculty are committed to preparing professionals who work in an increasingly diverse global society by promoting equity and justice for all individuals, actively working to eliminate barriers and obstacles created by institutional discrimination. 

The successful candidate should be excited by, able to thrive in, and eager to contribute to our interdisciplinary environment that respects a wide variety of research and practice traditions, and that embraces innovation in research and methods. The University of Washington is an institution that encourages inclusive research and community outreach, situated between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, in the city of Seattle, on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. Seattle is a rapidly growing, dynamic, and diverse metropolitan area with a leading technology sector and vibrant civic sector. Applicants may find further information about the Information School at: ischool.uw.edu.

The base salary for this position will be $12,000 - $14,500 per month ($108,000 - $130,500 per 9-month academic year), commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

 

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD (or foreign equivalent) in Computing & Information Science or a relevant field by date of appointment.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by November 15, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited for phone interviews and campus visits.

Application packages should include the following elements (please note the strict page limit for each component): 

• CV

• Letter of intent [1 page]

• Introduce your research agenda, and use this space to explain how your research will complement and extend research and teaching expertise at the UW iSchool. 

• Research statement [4 pages]

• Give an in-depth description of your current research agenda, major research contributions to date, and future research plans including potential topics and avenues of research funding.  

• Teaching statement [2 pages]

• Describe your approach to and experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level. Where appropriate, please include any experience designing courses, instructional materials, or curricula in informatics and/or data science.  

• Diversity statement [2 page] 

• See extended details below

• Two sample publications or scholarly works that exemplify your current research agenda 

• Names and contact information for three references. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for letters of reference. 

Please contact Drs. Lindah Kotut, Emma Spiro, Lucy Lu Wang, Tenure Track Search Committee Co-Chairs, with questions (iApply@uw.edu).

 

iSchool Diversity Statement Guidelines

Inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sovereignty (IDEAS) are core values of the University of Washington’s Information School, as described on our website: https://ischool.uw.edu/diversity. The Diversity Statement provides an opportunity for applicants to reflect on their research, teaching, and service accomplishments and goals that contribute to those values. 

The Diversity Statement should elaborate on the candidates’ commitment to these values, as reflected in various aspects of their teaching, research, and service.

Applicants may find further information about the UW iSchool at the following websites: 

• iSchool: ischool.uw.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/fcg/fcg-chapter-24-appointment-and-promotion-of-faculty-members/#2).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.