Tenure-Track Associate Professor/ Tenured Associate Professor/ Professor

I．Job Description

The Advanced Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (AI-HSS) of The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) is seeking outstanding scholars at all career stages across six cutting-edge research centers and laboratories that integrate technology with humanities and social sciences.

• Research Center for Ethics and Governance of Science and Technology - dedicated to studying ethical and governance issues in synthetic biology, biomedical big data, AI, and the convergence of AI and BT technologies
• Research Center for Philosophy, Logic, and History of Science and Technology - conducting scholarly research in philosophy of formal sciences, natural sciences, and the integration of international philosophical approaches with Chinese dialectical traditions
• Key Laboratory of Neuroinformatics (Ministry of Education) - focusing on cognitive neural mechanisms of language learning and processing, with established research platforms including the "Innovative Intelligence Base for Neuroinformatics" and the "International Joint Research Center for Neuroinformatics"
• Key Laboratory for Intelligence and Digital Public Governance of Sichuan Province - integrating computer science, information engineering, and social sciences to develop foundational models and platforms for digital intelligence and public governance
• Digital Economy Development Research Think Tank - leveraging the university's strengths to provide comprehensive services for national strategic demands in digital economy development, green manufacturing, and emerging technology governance
• Sino-Foreign Language and Culture Research Center - supporting research in computational linguistics, language data mining, intelligent language education, and cross-cultural communication

Job position and description as follows:

• Associate Professors will lead research initiatives, supervise graduate students, secure research funding, and contribute to institutional development. Associate Professors need PhD in a relevant field within the humanities or social sciences, no older than 40 years of age(Age requirements may be waived for exceptionally qualified candidates), outstanding achievements and significant development potential, strong publication record in high-quality journals, demonstrated ability to secure research funding, experience in research project management and student supervision. compensation and benefits include regionally competitive salary, substantial research startup funds, housing purchase subsidy as needed, appointment as a Distinguished Researcher (senior professional title) for qualified candidates.
• Professors will provide strategic leadership, mentor junior colleagues, build international research networks, and shape the institute's research agenda. Professors need PhD in a relevant field within the humanities or social sciences, no older than 50 years of age(Age requirements may be waived for exceptionally qualified candidates), significant achievements and outstanding academic performance , internationally recognized research contributions, successful track record of research leadership and grant acquisition, experience in mentoring junior faculty and research teams. compensation and benefits: highly competitive annual salary, substantial research startup funds, settling-in allowance and housing purchase subsidy, appointment as a Distinguished Professor (senior professional title)

II．Research Fields

We are seeking outstanding scholars in the following areas:

(1) Ethics and Philosophy of Science and Technology

This area focuses on philosophical, ethical, and governance issues related to contemporary frontier and emerging technologies. Our research addresses fundamental questions about the responsible development and deployment of transformative technologies, bridging philosophical inquiry with practical governance frameworks. Research areas include but are not limited to:

• Ethics and governance of synthetic biology
• Ethics and governance of biomedical big data
• Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence
• Ethics and governance of AI+BT integration
• General philosophy of science (logical inflationism)
• Philosophy of formal sciences (philosophy of quantum physics or philosophy of  AI logic)
• Foundations of philosophy of science (Philosophy of modal logic or probability theory)
• Chinese traditions in philosophy of science (dialectical logic)

(2) History of Science and Technology

This area examines the historical development of science and technology, with a particular focus on the modern era. Our research situates technical and scientific change within broader intellectual, social, and institutional contexts, bridging the history of ideas with the material and organizational dimensions of scientific practice. Research areas include but are not limited to:

• History of modern electronic information and computer technology
• History of cognitive science and neuroscience
• History of physics and quantum technology
• History of life sciences and medicine

(3) Science, Technology and Society

This area explores the mutual shaping of science, technology, and society through theoretical and empirical lenses. Drawing on sociology, anthropology, history, and policy studies, our research examines how scientific knowledge and technological systems are produced, contested, and institutionalized, and how they in turn reconfigure social relations, identities, and futures. Research areas include but are not limited to:

• Social studies of science and technology (STS)
• Science, technology and public policy
• Responsible innovation and technology assessment
• Expertise, public understanding of science, and science communication

(4) Language Cognition and Language Intelligence

This area concentrates on foundational theories of language cognition and innovative practices in language intelligence engineering. Our research explores the working mechanisms of the human mind and brain to advance large language models' capacity to simulate human language abilities. This interdisciplinary field integrates linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, and computational science, emphasizing the fusion of brain informatics and artificial intelligence technologies for cross-disciplinary research spanning humanities-science, humanities-engineering, and humanities-medicine collaborations. Research areas include but are not limited to:

• Cognitive neurolinguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Computational linguistics
• Language cognitive science
• Language data science
• Language intelligence technology
• Language data mining

(5) Technological Innovation and Social Change

This area investigates the profound impacts of big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies on social structures, national governance, cultural transmission, democratization processes, and global governance. Our interdisciplinary research spans political science, management science, sociology, and computer science, exploring cutting-edge questions about how emerging information technologies reshape political, social, and cultural landscapes. Research areas include but are not limited to:

• Digital technology and social structure
• Artificial intelligence and social transformation
• Big data and national governance
• Information technology and cultural change
• Information technology and global governance

Priority Consideration

Candidates demonstrating exceptional expertise in interdisciplinary approaches that bridge multiple research areas within or across these five domains will receive priority consideration. We particularly value scholars who can contribute to collaborative research initiatives and foster innovative connections between technology, humanities, and social sciences.

III．Application Materials Required

Detailed curriculum vitae including educational background, work experience, and list of publications

Research statement outlining past achievements and future research plans (3-5 pages)

Teaching statement describing teaching philosophy and experience (1-2 pages)

Copies of 2-3 representative publications

Contact information for three academic referees

IV．Application Process

Applicants should send a copy of their Cv, cover letter, Research statement and teaching statement and three letters of recommendation sent to Ms. Qi: [email protected]. in the email subject line, please indicate the position level you are applying for and your research field, e.g. "Name - Associate Professor - Ethics of Al"

V．Contact Information

Contact: Ms. Qi Phone Number: +86-028-61838791 Email: [email protected]

VI．About the UESTC

The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) is a prestigious research university directly under the Ministry of Education of China. As a member of China's "Double First-Class," "985 Project," and "211 Project" initiatives, UESTC is recognized as a national key university with comprehensive strengths. The university covers the entire spectrum of electronic disciplines, with a core focus on electronic information science and technology. It is primarily engineering-oriented, featuring strong integration of science and engineering, and coordinated development across science, engineering, management, humanities, and medicine.

UESTC has achieved remarkable international recognition in multiple disciplines. According to the latest US News World University Rankings, UESTC ranks 3rd globally in Artificial Intelligence, 4th in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 7th in Chemical Engineering, 10th in Physical Chemistry, and 13th in Computer Science. In the Essential Science Indicators (ESI), UESTC has one discipline ranked in the top 1 ‱ globally (Computer Science), three disciplines in the top 1‰ (Engineering, Materials Science, and Chemistry), and sixteen disciplines in the top 1% worldwide.

The university boasts world-class research platforms and an exceptional academic environment. Its campus library system consists of facilities at both the Qingshuihe and Shahe campuses, with a total construction area of 67,000 square meters, housing 2.68 million printed books and providing access to 128 platforms and 301 databases in its digital resource system.

VII．About the Institute

The Advanced Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (AI-HSS) is a substantive teaching and research institution established at UESTC in December 2024 to promote the integrated development of disciplinary characteristics and construct a high-quality, independent training system for innovative talents. Led by Professor Zeng Yong, former president of UESTC and academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, the institute focuses on the deep integration of technology and humanities.

The institute conducts pioneering research at the intersection of science and humanities through five specialized research centers:

Research Center for Ethics and Governance of Science and Technology: Dedicated to the study of ethical and governance issues in synthetic biology, biomedical big data, AI, and the convergence of emerging technologies. The center has established collaborations with prestigious international universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and Yale.

Key Laboratory of Neuroinformatics: Focuses on the cognitive neural mechanisms of language learning and processing, investigating how the brain learns different languages and how languages shape neural structures, supporting research at the intersection of linguistics, neuroscience, and AI.

Research Center for Philosophy, Logic, and History of Science and Technology: Conducts scholarly research in philosophy of formal sciences, natural sciences, general philosophy of science, and dialectical logic, integrating international philosophical approaches with Chinese dialectical traditions.

Key Laboratory for Intelligence and Digital Public Governance: Integrates resources from computer science, information engineering, and social sciences to develop foundational models for digital intelligence and governance platforms, transforming research paradigms in social sciences.

Sino-Foreign Language and Culture Research Center: Explores computational linguistics, language data mining, intelligent language education, and cross-cultural communication, supporting technological innovations in language processing and international exchange.

Through establishing itself as an irreplaceable academic stronghold both domestically and internationally, AI-HSS aims to illuminate the path toward human progress through scholarship and innovation at the intersection of technology and humanities.

VIII．About Chengdu

• Internationalization: Chengdu hosts over 20 national consular institutions, features two international airports, and maintains more than a hundred international flight routes.
• Exceptional Medical Care: Offers access to West China Hospital, five additional top-tier affiliated hospitals (including Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, etc.), and a world-class healthcare and wellness system.
• Education Excellence: Provides access to UESTC's affiliated kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school, as well as Chengdu No.7 High School, which ranks among the top ten schools nationwide.
• Low Pressure: Features affordable housing prices, with discounts available for talented individuals purchasing houses.