Professor (Open Rank), Physical AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

47d•Onsite

About The Position

Bouvé College of Health Sciences invites applications for open rank tenure-track or tenure-on-entry positions with a possibility of a joint appointment in the College of Engineering or the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) or the College of Engineering (COE) beginning in academic year 2027-2028 or 2028-2029. This interdisciplinary hire is part of our hiring theme in Physical AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems. The successful candidate will develop and apply semi-autonomous and autonomous physical AI systems for modeling, monitoring, and collaborating with humans in health and healthcare contexts, spanning digital twins to embodied health technologies within translational and implementation science. Within Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), this translates into building the physical AI systems that sense, model, and act on the human body and communication behavior — for example, voice-controlled assistive technology, mobile health, virtual reality, socially assistive robotics, wearable biosensors, or digital twins — developed through user needs research, concept development, and usability/use-related risk evaluation for regulated health products. Candidates whose work sits at the intersection of CSD and engineering, robotics, industrial design, or computer science are strongly encouraged to apply regardless of their disciplinary training. Our tenure and promotion process values collaborative research and teamwork. Hires will be mentored for success, with mentoring teams and group guidance. In addition, a strong and effective faculty development strategy is part of the Northeastern institutional mission. The ADVANCE Office of Faculty Development office works in conjunction with the Office of Research Development (ORD), the Office of Belonging, the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research (CATLR), and University Decision Support (UDS) to provide programs and trainings to further develop and support a thriving faculty.

Requirements

PhD, EdD, ScD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Computational Psycholinguistics, Human-Centered Design, Industrial Design, Human Factors Engineering, or broadly related fields by the employment start date.
Expertise in physical AI, robotics, or embodied/wearable sensing systems applied to communication or rehabilitation sciences, evidenced by publications, funded research, developed technologies, design portfolios, usability/human factors validation studies, or regulatory submissions.
Appointments at the Associate Professor rank require a minimum of 5 years of related experience.
Appointments at the Full Professor rank require a minimum of 10 years of related experience.

Nice To Haves

Candidates whose work sits at the intersection of CSD and engineering, robotics, industrial design, or computer science are strongly encouraged to apply regardless of their disciplinary training.