Assistant Professor in Cognitive Science, AI & Mind

Job Summary

The Institute of Cognitive Science (ICS) at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor position in the area of AI and the Mind, with an anticipated start date of Fall 2027. Highly qualified candidates who have recently been promoted to Associate Professor level may also be considered.

We seek applicants advancing research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, broadly construed, and human cognition. Candidates may bridge artificial and natural intelligence through modeling, experimentation, or theory; candidates pursuing interdisciplinary and innovative approaches are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have an outstanding track record of research, as evidenced by a notable publication history and a demonstrated record of seeking and securing funding as a Principal Investigator, as appropriate to their current academic rank.

• Computational Models of Cognition: using AI methods to model perception, memory, learning, decision‑making, or language, including their neural bases.
• AI Tools for Cognitive Neuroscience: leveraging machine learning to analyze brain/behavioral data or to explore neural mechanisms.
• Human‑AI Interaction: understanding how humans perceive, collaborate with, and may be enhanced by AI systems.
• Brain‑Computer Interfaces: connecting neural processes to computational systems for communication, control, or rehabilitation.
• Algorithmic Bias & Cognitive Bias: studying parallels between human biases and AI decision‑making; ensuring fair and ethical systems.
• Philosophy of Mind & AI: investigating conceptual questions about consciousness, representation, and machine intelligence.

ICS is a highly interdisciplinary research and training environment that brings together faculty and students from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, philosophy, education, and speech, language & hearing sciences. The Institute is home to graduate and undergraduate programs in Cognitive Science, and is affiliated with numerous centers and initiatives across campus, including the NSF National AI Institute for Student‑AI Teaming (NSF iSAT), Intermountain Neuroimaging Consortium, the Center for Research and Education on Cannabis and Health, and campus‑wide initiatives in AI and data science.

We embrace responsible innovation and community‑engaged initiatives in the design and development of AI science, models, and tools.

The mission of the Institute of Cognitive Science ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is to identify and address key questions in Cognitive Science through interdisciplinary research and education. We explore the nexus of humans and machines as we seek to understand and extend human cognition, emotion, machine intelligence, and fruitful collaborations between the two. Our research builds on artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience, and human learning to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges: understanding brain health and wellness, developing personalized therapies and interventions, enhancing learning and education, and optimizing complex cognitive processes to improve human performance and human‑agent collaboration.

ICE spans and connects researchers from nine units – Computer Science;
Education;
Psychology and Neuroscience;
Information Science;
Integrative Physiology;
Linguistics;
Philosophy;
Architecture and Planning; and Speech, Language and Hearing – and offers two interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs and certificate programs in Cognitive Science. ICE houses the NSF National AI Research Institute for Student‑AI Teaming.

Successful applicants will hold a tenure home in a department most appropriate to their research program and background. Possible tenure home departments include Computer Science, Information Science, the School of Education, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Linguistics. Responsibilities will include teaching, service and research duties of a Tenure‑Track Faculty at the Institute of Cognitive Science as well as the tenure home department.

• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Information Science,…