Assistant Professor of Computer Sciences: RISE-THRIVE

The Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has embarked on a multi-year effort to grow its faculty, enhance its strengths in many areas of computing, and extend its impact in interdisciplinary areas. As part of this endeavor, and as part of the department's involvement in the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence-Transforming Healthspan through Research, InnoVation, and Education (RISE-THRIVE) initiative, which focuses on advancing the “human health span” (the number of years a person is living with good health and well-being), we invite highly qualified candidates with a background in at least one of computational optimization and modeling, embedded sensing systems, and human-centered technologies and expertise in applying methods and principles from these areas to problems related to human health and wellbeing to apply to the position at the assistant, associate, or full professor levels that will begin in August 2026.  

Successful candidates will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and collaborate closely with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, La Follette School of Public Affairs, the Center for Healthy Minds, School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Public Health, and other units on campus. 

Duties will include scholarly research in application of optimization, machine learning, and human-centered AI to human health and wellbeing and related areas of computer science; individual and classroom teaching in computer science at the undergraduate and graduate levels and advising and mentoring graduate students majoring in computer science or related areas; service to the department, college, university, and academic community, nationally or internationally. The successful candidate will participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with other departments, schools and colleges. 

The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college's commitment to excellence among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service.

We seek candidates whose primary expertise lies in computer science, particularly in areas including machine learning, optimization, natural language processing, sensing systems, embedded wearable and IoT systems, computer vision, human-computer interaction, or robotics, and who apply these methods to advance human health and wellbeing. Candidates should demonstrate methodological depth in one or more of these areas and an ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines to address challenges in health and healthcare delivery.  

Applicants’ research will generally fall into one of the following illustrative profiles: 

1. Computational health optimization and modeling 

Applicants conducting research at the intersection of optimization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence motivated by the need to advance the understanding and improvement of human health and wellbeing. Areas of interest include data-driven modeling of phenotypes and endotypes of health risk; explanatory and predictive modeling of health outcomes; and development of algorithmic approaches that can be deployed to optimize health services and interventions. As an example: We would welcome work that incorporates behavioral predictors of health, including mental health, addiction, and loneliness, into computational approaches to inform precision health strategies. 

2. Human-centered health AI  

Applicants conducting research in the development and application of human-centered artificial intelligence, interactive systems, and explainable machine learning to improve health and healthcare delivery. Areas of interest include AI-enhanced support for clinical processes (e.g., electronic health records, provider-patient interactions), multimodal sensing of behavioral health markers, and intelligent systems that assist in the management of chronic and neurodegenerative conditions. We especially encourage work that bridges machine learning, behavioral science, and healthcare systems to create usable, explainable, and effective AI-driven interventions. 

3. Intelligent and embedded health sensing systems 

Applicants conducting research in the development and application of embedded and AI-driven computing systems for health monitoring and intervention. Areas of interest include wireless and multimodal in vivo sensing of physiological and behavioral markers, low-power edge intelligence for continuous health monitoring, and adaptive systems that integrate sensing, communication, and machine learning to support clinical and personal health applications. We especially encourage work that is holistic in nature and bridges embedded systems, sensing systems, and artificial intelligence with healthcare systems to enable scalable, explainable, and effective sensing and decision-support platforms for healthcare and wellbeing. 

4. Human-centered technology design for health and wellbeing  

Candidates focused on the design, development, and evaluation of interactive technologies and systems that promote health, wellbeing, and resilience across diverse populations and settings. Research areas may include assistive and socially interactive technologies for aging populations, digital and robotic systems supporting independent living and labor participation, and technologies tailored to the needs of individuals with developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities. We are particularly interested in work that integrates design research, participatory methods, and behavioral insights to address complex health and social challenges. 

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.  

The Department of Computer Sciences is among the oldest and top-ranked computer science departments in the world, renowned for its groundbreaking research in computer architecture, database systems, distributed and grid computing, programming languages, optimization, and many other areas of computer science. The department has a strong track record of support of transformative research and building large-scale computing infrastructures, such as HTCondor and CloudLab, and of new interdisciplinary collaborations, programs, and centers, including the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery (WID). The department has also been the beneficiary of significant donations aimed at supporting its research and educational mission. 

The School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) is a significant resource for the Department of Computer Sciences to strengthen its interdisciplinary and cross-campus research collaborations, to establish new, innovative educational programs in the intersection of computing and other domains, and to promote engagement with high-impact, real-world challenges that can be addressed through computing. More information about CDIS can be found at https://cdis.wisc.edu. CDiS has a new state-of-the-art building, Morgridge Hall, which is the new home of the Department of Computer Sciences; see https://cdis.wisc.edu/building-future/. 

This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW–Madison’s strengths, RISE expands the University’s successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.

Over the next three academic years, UW–Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration.

Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/  

In the College of Letters & Science, we provide a liberal arts education that is both broad and deep through excellent, empathic teaching. We hire faculty who are interested in pursuing difficult questions, making new discoveries, and making an impact in their field. We reward excellent teaching and classroom innovation, and we are committed to shared governance. Learn more about the L&S mission on our webpage: https://ls.wisc.edu/about/mission. 

Located at the nexus of four beautiful lakes, Madison, the capital of the state of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, consistently ranks among the top American cities for its quality of life. With the headquarte s of medical software company Epic, Microsoft's Jim Gray Systems Lab, Google, and several other technology giants in the area, as well as a strong startup ecosystem, Madison is also among the fastest growing technology hubs in the country. 

Required: PhD. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Computer Science or in a closely related area prior to start of appointment. 

Apply online at Jobs at UW (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under Job Requisition JR10005793. Applications must be received both through UW-Madison's online application system and Academic Jobs Online (job 31151) to be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button at Jobs at UW to start the application process. 

Applicants should submit the following five (5) items to Jobs at UW: 

1. a letter of application 

2. curriculum vitae 

3. a teaching statement 

4. a research statement 

5. three publications 

Applicants must also complete the standard Academic Jobs Online application, including reference letters. Reference letters are not to be uploaded to Jobs at UW. 

Applications not submitted to both Jobs at UW and Academic Jobs Online will not be considered. 

For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on January 14, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant’s dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring.

Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant’s ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters.  It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others. 

 CS Chair Paul Barford  

recruiting@cs.wisc.edu

(608) 262-1204 

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.