UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) has appointed 26 new co-hires with the goal of enhancing artificial intelligence (AI) research, education, literacy and visibility across the University and beyond.
"A few years ago, before being embraced by the masses, AI was a core pillar of what ICDS was and currently is,” said Guido Cervone, ICDS director. “At ICDS, we are in a unique position to collaborate with different units, disciplines and institutes who may not have as much access to AI education, research or resources to bring in new faculty who are advancing AI, developing new systems or using the technologies in ways we haven’t seen before.”
ICDS, Cervone said, plays a fundamental role in AI at Penn State by supporting numerous projects across different disciplines, colleges and campuses; by directly engaging in AI education and research; and by driving AI education and research by providing access to the Roar supercomputer; and funding faculty and student projects through the ICDS Rising Researchers and Faculty Upskilling opportunities.
This new cohort of co-hires was formed to not only support and advance the University's AI initiatives, but to drive AI research and bring together faculty with diverse yet complementary expertise to generate cutting-edge interdisciplinary research with external funding. Part of this cohort formed a “Capital Group” in partnership with Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Penn State Dickinson Law and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute to bridge the gap of interdisciplinary collaborations across University campuses. The new cohort will accompany an already existing group of over 30 ICDS co-hires.
All ICDS co-hires will maintain a dual appointment in their home unit or campus and with ICDS.
“The multi-year AI cluster hire is just one part of ICDS’ strategic goals that we work on with the provost, who strongly believes that AI is going to transform education," Cervone said. “ICDS also works closely with Vasant Honavar, vice provost for AI, to drive new AI-accelerated research. ICDS, along with many other units and campuses, are working together to make this a success.”
The cohort features researchers who seek to expand the expertise in core areas of AI; to enable smarter and more efficient solutions to complex scientific and technological challenges; to transform and advance health care for rural populations; and to influence innovation, leadership and policy around the integration of AI across all areas of human endeavor.
Some of the goals of the co-hires include educating and empowering the next generation; to contribute to enhancing and expanding ethical AI literacy, education and research; and to create and engage in new, collaborative, interdisciplinary scholarship with the aim of securing external funding.
To find a full list of newly appointed co-hires, visit the ICDS website.
Call for second round of applications for the AI Cluster
ICDS is currently hiring multiple tenure-track or tenured faculty as part of the second year of the multi-year AI cluster hire across multiple University campuses.
The focus of this current cluster hire is on faculty with expertise in AI and materials; AI and health; and foundations of AI. Interested applicants should submit a single PDF containing a cover letter, teaching statement, research statement, names and contact information for four references and their curriculum vitae. Cover letters should state the areas and departments to which the applicant is applying to.
Apply via Workday.
Applicant reviews will begin immediately. For full consideration, please submit applications no later than Dec. 7.