Assistant Professor in Responsible AI and Cybersecurity, Tenure-track - R159411

Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); In loco; USD 90.000 - 140.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Responsible AI and Cybersecurity (AI/CS), to begin Fall 2027. The role spans security of AI, governance, auditing, and education across AI/ML, law, and policy domains.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate leadership, a strong research trajectory, and a commitment to teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels within the Department of Computer Science and Engineering on Columbus

Competenze

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Information Science, or a closely related field.
• Evidence of research excellence and a clear forward-looking agenda.
• High-impact publications in AI or cybersecurity venues.
• Experience with cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Mansioni

• Develop an externally funded research program aligned with AI security or responsible AI.
• Publish in top-tier AI and security venues.
• Develop auditing and governance methods for AI systems.
• Engage with governance, legal, and policy dimensions of responsible AI.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in AI security, ethics, and governance.
• Advise and mentor graduate students; contribute to curricula.

Conoscenze

Research excellence

Collaborative skills

Curriculum development

Formazione

Ph.D. in Computer Science / Information Science

Descrizione del lavoro

The Ohio State University: College of Engineering: Computer Science and Engineering

Location

Columbus Campus,Dreese Laboratories (0279)

Open Date

Sep 18, 2026

Description

Assistant Professor in Responsible AI and Cybersecurity, Tenure-track

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level to advance innovative research and development in the areas related to Cybersecurity of AI or AI for Cybersecurity and Responsible AI, Auditing, and Governance. We are seeking applications from exceptional educators and researchers whose work advances the science and practice of responsible AI and cybersecurity. This position is located on the main Columbus campus of The Ohio State University and starts as early as Fall 2027.

Position Overview

AI systems are simultaneously reshaping the cyber-attack surface and making high-stakes decisions across hiring, lending, criminal justice, healthcare, and public administration at a scale and speed that has outpaced the security controls, governance frameworks, and accountability structures needed to oversee them. The failure modes introduced by foundation models, agentic workflows, and data-centric pipelines, such as prompt injection, data poisoning, model extraction, supply-chain compromise, and unsafe tool invocation, do not map cleanly onto traditional defenses. At the same time, the gap between AI deployment and society's capacity to ensure that deployment is fair, transparent, and correctable continues to widen.

Closing both gaps demands researchers who work fluently across technical and socio-technical boundaries: building AI systems that remain secure under realistic adversaries, developing AI-driven tools that strengthen cyber defense, and ensuring that AI is auditable, accountable, and governed responsibly. Progress is not primarily a technical problem or a policy problem, but it is both simultaneously.

The CSE Department seeks a faculty member whose research addresses one or more dimensions of this challenge. The position is broadly scoped across two complementary thrusts:

• Cybersecurity of AI / AI for Cybersecurity: Building and evaluating systems that remain secure under realistic adversaries and deployment conditions, including attacks on models, data, and AI-enabled applications (e.g., LLMs and agents); and developing AI-driven methods that improve cyber defense outcomes, such as threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability discovery.
• Responsible AI, Auditing, and Governance: Advancing algorithmic auditing methodologies, bias measurement and mitigation, regulatory compliance frameworks, AI liability and accountability mechanisms, governance of foundation models, and the organizational structures through which institutions deploy and oversee AI systems.

We seek candidates who have deep strength in at least one of these areas and are conversant in the other to enable crosscutting collaboration, curriculum development, and joint projects. Ohio State is distinctively positioned to lead nationally in this space, with existing strengths across its engineering, business, law, and public policy colleges in a single campus that few computer science departments can match.

The strategic value of this tenure-track position is furthering the strategic need to sustain and grow Ohio State's excellence in AI. The successful candidate is being hired as part of the University’s AI Initiative and will be able to align with the AI(X) Hub initiative that is aiming at harnessing the transformative power of AI to solve complex challenges, accelerate discovery, and create meaningful societal impact ( https://aihub.osu.edu ). The successful candidate will join a rich institutional ecosystem: the Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust (ICDT), the NSF Center for Responsible AI and Governance (CRAIG), the Program on Data and Governance, cross-campus partnerships with Ohio State's law, public policy, and business colleges, established connections to government and defense partners (e.g., Battelle), and an active industry pipeline. This convergence of technical and non-technical institutional strength makes Ohio State a genuinely distinctive environment in which to build AI security and responsible AI research that is credible and consequential to both audiences.

Tenure-track faculty members in the Computer Science and Engineering department are expected to contribute to the academic excellence of the department and participate in a variety of scholarly activities that contribute to the department’s overall success, including the following specific key responsibilities of this position:

• Develop an impactful, externally funded research program aligned with one or more focus areas above.
• Publish in top-tier security and AI venues (e.g., IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, CCS, and/or NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACM TOPS, ACM FAccT, and AIES).
• Develop innovative methods for auditing and evaluating AI systems for specification compliance, fairness, safety, security, and related dimensions of responsible AI.
• Engage with governance, legal, and policy dimensions of responsible AI deployment.
• Collaborate across security, AI/ML, systems, law, public policy, business, and responsible AI/governance efforts, including with the Center for Responsible AI and Governance.
• Advise graduate students and contribute to security, AI ethics, and AI governance curricula.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses spanning AI security, AI ethics, and/or AI management and governance.
• Engage with government, defense, industry, and NGO partners on applied research (as appropriate).

Performance Objectives

• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication
• A record of high-quality research in the computing field
• Excellence in teaching, both in the classroom and in student advising
• Excellence in scholarship, associated primarily with research that enhances the state-of-the-art in computing
• Leadership in service, both to the profession and to the university
• Contributions to broadening participation in the field of computing An attitude conducive of good citizenship, including a commitment to interact with others in a professional, ethical, and constructive fashion
• Strong potential to achieve tenure and advance through the tenure-track faculty ranks

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Information Science, or a closely related field, with demonstrated strength in cybersecurity of AI, AI for cybersecurity, responsible AI, auditing and governance, or a combination thereof.
• Evidence of research excellence and a clear forward-looking agenda in at least one focus area mentioned above.
• High-impact publications in core AI domains (e.g., machine learning, optimization, large language models, and autonomous agents) and cybersecurity, such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, CCS, and NDSS or equivalent venues.
• Evidence of cybersecurity expertise beyond the routine application of existing tools, including threat modeling, adversarial reasoning, attack and defense design, and rigorous evaluation under realistic conditions. For cybersecurity of AI: The ability to identify and address security risks across the AI lifecycle, system components, and deployment environment.
• For AI for cybersecurity: Ability to develop and rigorously evaluate AI-enabled methods for cyber defense under adversarial and operational conditions.
• For responsible AI: Evidence of expertise in responsible AI across the AI lifecycle, including the development of new approaches, evaluation of failure modes, advancement of AI safety, reliability, and auditability, and consideration of relevant socio-technical, governance, and policy dimensions.
• Track record of (or clear potential for) cross-disciplinary collaboration and external engagement.
• Strong evaluation mindset: threat modeling, adversarial thinking, measurable outcomes, and reproducibility.
• Creation of new AI methods that have advanced knowledge, methods, or practice within a field or discipline.
• Leadership qualities and vision for contributing to a nationally recognized research center.
• Interest in cross-cutting collaboration with ECE, robotics/autonomy, law, and policy researchers.
• Experience with developing new courses and degree programs.
• Clear plans to create, implement, and oversee engagement with industrial or government partners.
• A commitment to interdisciplinary education and collaborative research.

Skills required for success

• Leadership and Collaboration: The candidate should demonstrate leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively in an academic setting.
• Mentoring and Teaching: Experience or training in mentoring and teaching is desirable.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with a focus on working constructively, decisively, and collegially with both external and internal colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.
• Independence and Initiative: We value individuals who can work independently and are proactive self-starters with strong project leadership skills.
• Innovative Thinking: The candidate should be open to sharing ideas, continuously learning, and displaying innovative thinking.

Additional Information

The final offer for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Salary and start-up packages are negotiated by the department chair and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package .

Immigration/visa sponsorship may be available in limited situations, but all decisions concerning immigration/visa sponsorship will depend on an evaluation of complexity and risk. We will not engage in immigration sponsorship for this position for individuals subject to the J-1 two-year home residency requirement or who will require consular processing for a visa to come to the United States to begin work at the university.

AIatThe OhioState University

AI is reshaping education and research, and Ohio State is at the forefront of this transformation, unlocking exponential possibilities when AI is fused with different fields. The university is committed to excellence in artificial intelligence and advancing the university’s role as a national and global leader in AI-driven discovery, education, and societal impact. In support of this commitment, Ohio State will hire 100 new tenure-track faculty withexpertisein artificial intelligence (AI) over five years to drive innovation and create a central hub, the AI(X)Hub , to provide resources and foster collaboration.

This university-wide hub will span 15 colleges and unlock the exponential possibilities thatemergewhen AI is fused withexpertiseacross six strategic pillars (X): foundations, health, engineering and sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI. The AI(X)Hub will cultivate aninnovationecosystem where cross-disciplinary synergies fuel breakthroughs with profound societal impactby:

• Creatinga dynamic intellectual hub to harnessOhio State’svastexpertisewhere AI scientists and domain experts across the university can collaborate to accelerate groundbreaking research and transformative innovation
• Advancingfundamental AI research to push the boundaries of AI
• Establishinga collaborative hub that unites researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders
• Developingcutting-edgeAI products that reach billions and drive meaningful change
• Deliveringsolutions to the world’s most pressing challenges
• Empoweringthe next generation of AI leaders through accessible AI education, mentorship, and skill development for all Ohio State learners

AI hiring spans across three faculty cohorts: Foundational AI, Applied AI, and Responsible AI and Cybersecurity. The Foundational AI Cohort will primarily focus on elevating the theoretical, mathematical and algorithmic underpinnings of AI.The Applied AI Cohort will primarily focus on harnessing AI to revolutionize the translation of ideas to real-world solutions for Ohio and beyond.The Responsible AI and Cybersecurity Cohort will primarily focus on ensuring ethical innovation and safeguarding digital landscapes for a secure future.

Department Information

One of the oldest computing programs in the country, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is a national leader in impactful computing research and education. We create, teach, and actualize the principles that connect computing and society while advancing the forefront of foundational computer science into various interdisciplinary realms. Department faculty include 58tenure-track and 11clinical-track faculty, with 16 ACM/IEEE Fellows and 37CAREER Awards among past and present faculty. The department continues to raise its national and international research profile through aggressive recruiting and large-scale projects (e.g., two NSF AI Institutes and an NSF Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Institute). The department will continue to invest in creative and team science activities leading to ever-increasing strengths in both foundational and applied computer science. The department is also developing innovative academic programs with various campus partners in topics such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital health, and multimedia. CSE faculty closely collaborates with various centers on campus, including the Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design (ACCAD), the AI(x) Hub, the Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI), the Sustainability Institute (SI), and the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

The College of Engineering

Ohio State's College of Engineering provides fertile ground for innovation and collaboration, and it shares the land-grant mission to create, transfer, and preserve knowledge for the purpose of enhancing economic competitiveness regionally, nationally, and globally and by preparing professionals ready to sustain and advance society. The College of Engineering strives to create the highest quality, evidence-based educational experiences in a community rich in ideas, experiences, and viewpoints, accessible at all student levels, across all learning modalities. The college is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. Learn more about the College of Engineering, the university, and Columbus here .

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values , our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-mind exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. IOhio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here . Beyondits Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.