Assistant/Associate Professor of Library and Information Studies - Information Retrieval and Human Computer Interaction (Tenure-Track or Tenured)

University of Alabama Libraries; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for a full-time Assistant or Associate tenured/tenure-track faculty position in Information Retrieval and Human Computer Interaction. The appointment begins in fall 2027 and is based in Norman, Oklahoma, with relocation required.

The candidate should have a clear research agenda and be able to teach at undergraduate, master’s, and/or doctoral levels, while contributing to service.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or ABD expected with defense before start date Fall 2027.
• Research specialization in information retrieval or HCI with applications to library/information science.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses for undergraduates, masters, and/or doctoral programs.
• Conduct and publish research at a Carnegie R1 level.
• Contribute to service at department, college, and university levels.

Skills

Information retrieval

Human computer interaction

Generative AI

AI ethics

NLP

AI policy and law

Societal impacts of AI

Education

Ph.D. in LIS or related field

Job description

The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma (OU) invites applications for a full-time Assistant or Associate tenured/tenure track faculty position in Information Retrieval and Human Computer Interaction. This position will begin in fall 2027. The position is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and the successful candidate will be required to move to the area.

We are seeking a dynamic candidate with a demonstrated research agenda, the ability to teach courses at the undergraduate, master’s, and/or doctoral levels, and a commitment to service. Most of SLIS’ courses are taught in an online, asynchronous format, with the exception of our doctoral courses. This is a 9-month position with a teaching load of 2 courses in the fall semester and 2 courses in the spring semester. Faculty distribution of effort is typically 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service, and faculty members are expected to contribute to all three categories.

Candidates must specialize in one or more of the following with clear application within library and/or information science: information retrieval, data and text analytics, generative AI and large language models, natural language processing and computational linguistics, human-AI interaction, AI ethics and societal impacts, AI policy and law, and responsible AI, human computer interaction (HCI).

Courses taught by this faculty member could include topics such as: fundamentals of information technology, information retrieval and text mining, information visualization, and social/community informatics. The faculty member will collaborate with other faculty to expand SLIS’ course offerings focused on artificial intelligence, human computer interaction, user-centered design, information retrieval theories (doctoral level), and advances in information retrieval (doctoral level).

Faculty responsibilities include:

• Instruction, including course development, mentoring graduate students, and supervising student independent courses, internships, and projects
• Research and publication at a level appropriate for a Carnegie R1 research university

Service to the Department, College and University, and professional service at the regional, national, and international levels

The School of Library and Information Studies’ mission is to 1) educate socially responsible, innovative leaders for the information society; 2) advance interdisciplinary knowledge and design creative solutions to information problems; and 3) contribute to the public good by engaging communities through teaching, research, and service. SLIS has a doctoral program in information science, three master's degrees in Library and Information Studies, Museum Studies, and Applied Statistics, two undergraduate programs, and a variety of undergraduate and graduate certificates and minors. SLIS is proud of our interdisciplinary faculty who are engaging in a variety of research projects to enact change in our society! Our faculty come from a variety of backgrounds, including library and/or information science, computer science, business and management information systems, learning sciences, museum studies, psychology, and sociology. We are growing our programs and faculty, especially in the areas of AI, AI ethics, information retrieval, human computer interaction, and indigenous archival practices. To learn more about SLIS, visit our website at: https://www.ou.edu/cas/slis.

Required Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. or equivalent in Information Science, Library and Information Science or a closely related discipline (e.g. Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science). The candidate can be ABD at the time of application but is expected to complete their dissertation defense/thesis viva before starting the position in fall 2027.
• Research specialization in information retrieval or human computer interaction with clear application within library and/or information science.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in library and/or information science courses
• Experience teaching in an online, asynchronous format
• Demonstrated research experience through presentations and publications as commensurate to their rank
• Experience with developing grant proposals if applying for Associate Professor rank
• Engagement with departmental, college, university, or professional service if applying for Associate Professor rank

Equal employment opportunity statement: The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Mission of the University of Oklahoma

The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.