The Department of History in the School of Humanities and Arts at Rice University in Houston, Texas, seeks applicants for a tenure-track assistant or associate professor in the history of artificial intelligence, broadly conceived. A PhD or equivalent degree in History or a closely related field is required by the time of appointment. The area of geographical specialization is open. The appointment will begin on July 1, 2027. We seek applicants from any sub-field of history and welcome all historical methodologies and approaches, such as social, cultural, intellectual, political, economic, business histories, the history of war, and the history of science, amongst others. The successful candidate will be expected to teach and advise students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Rice University has a semester-based teaching schedule with a 2-2 teaching load. The University expects faculty members to maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication and to contribute service to the Department, University, and profession.
This position will complement the Department of History’s strengths and course offerings at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The successful candidate will join a growing cluster of scholars of AI across the university, reflecting Rice’s broad strategic investment in becoming a global leader in Responsible AI. In particular, the successful candidate will have opportunities for close intellectual collaboration and shared programming with a concurrent hire in the Department of Anthropology focused on the Social and Cultural Dimensions of AI. The candidate will also build bridges between History and interdisciplinary initiatives at Rice, including the Ken Kennedy Institute, Data Sciences, the Medical Humanities Program, the Science and Technology Studies Program, Environmental Studies, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria: demonstrated excellence in historical research; clear evidence of teaching effectiveness at the university level; and ability to mentor and teach a diverse student body.
Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Application materials must be submitted online via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/193599 and must include:
- A letter of application summarizing research and teaching qualifications
- A current curriculum vitae
- A research statement
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as course evaluations, syllabi, or a teaching statement)
- An article-length writing sample
- Contact information for three professional references
For further information or questions, contact Dr. Caleb McDaniel, Department Chair. General information about the Department of History can be found at https://history.rice.edu.
Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic museum district and adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Rice University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools and has a student body of over 4,800 undergraduates and a nearly equal number of graduate students. The fourth largest and most diverse city in the United States, Houston provides an opportunity for scholars to collaborate with area universities, museums, and civic organizations, and to engage with the broader metropolitan community.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
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