Assistant Research Professor in the Institute f...

About The University of Texas at El Paso:

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1, opportunity, and community engaged university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls more than 25,000 students, 85% of whom are Hispanic and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America. The university has experienced significant growth in the last decade, achieving $158 Million in research expenditures in 2025.  UTEP ranks fourth among public, non-medical research institutions in Texas for total federal research spending, third in the state for research expenditures per tenured and tenure-track faculty and is in the top 5% nationally for research productivity metrics.

Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, El Paso is set against the backdrop of the Franklin Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert in one of the largest binational communities in the world. A family-oriented community that is one of the safest large cities in the U.S., the cost of living in El Paso is very reasonable with an average home value of $224,000 in 2025, and Texas has no income tax. The region's rich culture includes a vibrant street art and mural scene, art galleries, a new children's museum and science center, the state's longest-running symphony orchestra and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. Sports fans will enjoy Division I college athletics, Triple-A baseball affiliate the El Paso Chihuahuas and professional soccer team El Paso Locomotive FC, and outdoor enthusiasts will be drawn to year-round hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in nearby state and national parks.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED AI INNOVATION (AAII)

AAII is UTEP's hub for interdisciplinary applied AI research, education, and workforce development. The Institute focuses on developing and deploying AI solutions that deliver real-world impact across key application domains, including health, education and workforce development, border logistics and infrastructure, cybersecurity and secure AI systems, economic development and innovation, and energy and water sustainability. AAII supports faculty and students through collaborative research projects, training programs, and partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations to advance regional, national, and global priorities.

Job Description:

UTEP invites applications for Assistant Research Professor positions within the Institute for Applied AI Innovation (AAII). These positions are funded through the UT System Regents' Research Excellence Program (RREP), a prestigious system-wide initiative established to elevate the national research standing of UT System's Emerging Research Universities. RREP aims to recruit promising research faculty of exceptional potential who demonstrate the capacity for nationally competitive extramural funding, graduate student mentorship, and transformative, transdisciplinary impact. We welcome applications from scholars across all academic disciplines whose work applies AI methods to challenges that intersect with AAII's mission. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to excellent research outcomes and to AAII's applied AI mission in one or more of the following areas:

• AI Models and Algorithms
• AI in Education and Workforce Development
• Border Logistics, Smart Infrastructure, and Supply Chain Systems
• Defense, Cybersecurity, and Secure AI Systems
• Economic Development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
• Energy, Water, and Sustainability Solutions

Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to conduct externally funded research, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, publish scholarly work at reputable venues, mentor students and research staff, and contribute to scalable applied AI solutions.

Requirements:

• Doctorate degree in one of the domains aligned with the AAII research areas, and a demonstrated expertise in the application of AI in the domain research area
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interdisciplinary teamwork skills
• Evidence of research productivity and potential to support externally funded projects

Additional Information:

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu .

To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants must submit the following items:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement (max 3 pages)
• Names and contact information of at least three professional references

For questions, contact Dr. Salamah Salamah, Search Committee Chair, at isalamah@utep.edu .