Tenure-track Assistant Professor in AI World Models for Embodied Systems

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

College of Engineering

Position Overview

The College of Engineering at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek candidates who advance the computational foundations of AI world models: models that inherently learn general representations of physical environments, predict how those environments evolve, and reason about the consequences of actions. The goal would be to exploit world models to close the gap between simulation-trained AI and dependable real-world autonomy.

Relevant research would leverage multimodal and spatiotemporal learning, context-informed and knowledge (e.g., physics)-grounded AI, generative and predictive modeling, learned simulation models and digital twins, and embodied or agentic AI. Representative grand-challenge application drivers for candidates’ research would include water resource management, infrastructure inspection, swarm operations, adaptive traffic and pedestrian flow management for next-generation urban mobility, robotics, and mobility based on agentic, autonomous, cooperative, resilient, and secure AI platforms.

The position will be anchored in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (70%), with a joint appointment (30%) determined by the candidate’s expertise and interest in one of three units with embodied systems: the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, the Knowlton School of Architecture, or the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This position is located on the main Columbus campus of The Ohio State University and starts as early as Fall 2027.

Performance Objectives

• Lead or co-lead a research program in foundational world-model methods, including domain-grounded data generation, multimodal perception, physics-grounded predictive models, or learned simulation and digital twins.
• Collaborate across Engineering units and campus living labs.
• Mentor PhD, MS, and undergraduate students, with attention to broadening participation in embodied AI and robotics.
• Contribute to potentially blended curriculum development that enriches traditional offerings in AI and engineering at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
• Pursue external funding to sustain and grow the research program, including continued NSF, DOE, DOT, and industry support.
• Engage with campus, industry, and government stakeholders (facilities, transportation, public safety) as an integral part of the research.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field of Engineering, Physics, or Applied Mathematics, completed by the position start date.
• A strong record of research in world models and related areas such as embodied AI, robot learning, computer vision, multimodal models integrating vision, language, geometry, sensor streams, and/or engineering data, 3D/4D scene understanding, reasoning, planning, physics-grounded AI, or simulation-based learning.
• Demonstrated ability (or clear potential, for junior candidates) to secure competitive external research funding.
• Commitment to graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentorship.

Desired:

• Experience with multimodal sensing, 3D/4D representations, multi-robot systems, or aerial and ground platforms.
• Experience with physics-informed, causal, or hybrid physics-AI models.
• Background in learned simulators, differentiable simulation, digital twins, computer graphics, or physical simulation.
• Experience with uncertainty, robustness, and generalization in open, changing, or partially observed physical environments.
• Visionary Mindset: The ability to articulate a clear research agenda that addresses fundamental challenges in current AI models, such as reasoning, generalization, and robustness.
• Evidence of research excellence in mathematical and theoretical frameworks in computing.
• Leadership qualities and vision for contributing to a nationally recognized research center.
• Experience with developing new courses and degree programs.
• A commitment to interdisciplinary education and collaborative research.
• A track record of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Skills required for success

• Leadership and Collaboration: The candidate should demonstrate leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively in an academic setting.
• Mentoring and Teaching: Experience or training in mentoring and teaching is desirable.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with a focus on working constructively, decisively, and collegially with both external and internal colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.
• Independence and Initiative: We value individuals who can work independently and are proactive self-starters with strong project leadership skills.
• Innovative Thinking: The candidate should be open to sharing ideas, continuously learn, and display innovative thinking.

Additional Information

The final offer for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Salary and start-up packages are negotiated by the department chair and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

Immigration/visa sponsorship may be available in limited situations, but all decisions concerning immigration/visa sponsorship will depend on an evaluation of complexity and risk. We will not engage in immigration sponsorship for this position for individuals subject to the J-1 two-year home residency requirement or who will require consular processing for a visa to come to the United States to begin work at the university.

AI at The Ohio State University

AI is reshaping education and research, and Ohio State is at the forefront of this transformation, unlocking exponential possibilities when AI is fused with different fields. The university is committed to excellence in artificial intelligence and advancing the university’s role as a national and global leader in AI-driven discovery, education, and societal impact.

In support of this commitment, Ohio State will hire 100 new tenure-track faculty with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) over five years to drive innovation and create a central hub, the AI(X) Hub, to provide resources and foster collaboration. This university-wide hub will span 15 colleges and unlock the exponential possibilities that emerge when AI is fused with expertise across six strategic pillars (X): foundations, health, engineering and sciences, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI.

The AI(X) Hub will cultivate an innovation ecosystem where cross-disciplinary synergies fuel breakthroughs with profound societal impact by:

• Creating a dynamic intellectual hub to harness Ohio State’s vast expertise where AI scientists and domain experts across the university can collaborate to accelerate groundbreaking research and transformative innovation.
• Advancing fundamental AI research to push the boundaries of AI.
• Establishing a collaborative hub that unites researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
• Developing cutting-edge AI products that reach billions and drive meaningful change.
• Delivering solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
• Empowering the next generation of AI leaders through accessible AI education, mentorship, and skill development for all Ohio State learners.

AI hiring spans across three faculty cohorts:

• Foundational AI
• Applied AI
• Responsible AI and Cybersecurity

The Foundational AI Cohort will primarily focus on elevating the theoretical, mathematical, and algorithmic underpinnings of AI. The Applied AI Cohort will primarily focus on harnessing AI to revolutionize the translation of ideas to real-world solutions for Ohio and beyond. The Responsible AI and Cybersecurity Cohort will primarily focus on ensuring ethical innovation and safeguarding digital landscapes for a secure future.

CSE Department Information

One of the oldest computing programs in the country, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), is a national leader in impactful computing research and education. We create, teach, and actualize the principles that connect computing and society while advancing the forefront of foundational computer science into various interdisciplinary realms.

Department faculty include 58 tenure-track and 11 clinical-track faculty, with 16 ACM/IEEE Fellows and 37 CAREER Awards among past and present faculty. The department continues to raise its national and international research profile through aggressive recruiting and large-scale projects (e.g., two NSF AI Institutes and an NSF Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Institute). The department will continue to invest in creative and team science activities leading to ever increasing strengths in both foundational and applied computer science.

The department is also developing innovative academic programs with various campus partners in topics such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital health, and multimedia. CSE faculty closely collaborates with various centers on campus including the Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design (ACCAD), AI(X) Hub, the Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI), the Sustainability Institute (SI), and the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

The College of Engineering

Ohio State's College of Engineering provides fertile ground for innovation and collaboration, and it shares the land-grant mission to create, transfer, and preserve knowledge for the purpose of enhancing economic competitiveness regionally, nationally, and globally and by preparing professionals ready to sustain and advance society. The College of Engineering strives to create the highest quality, evidence-based educational experiences in a community rich in ideas, experiences, and viewpoints, accessible at all student levels, across all learning modalities.

The college is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. Learn more about the College of Engineering, the University, and Columbus here.

Faculty Development:

The Ohio State University and the College of Engineering are committed to supporting and developing faculty, as well as the work-life balance of its faculty. These resources include the Engineering Faculty Mentoring Program, the Better Research = Better Mentoring workshop, and institutional memberships in the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning. To learn more, visit our faculty development page.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here.

Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI. The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.