Inside Higher Ed is hiring: Open Rank Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Library &

Open Rank Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Library & Information Science – Focus on Artificial Intelligence

College of Information and Communications, University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC

Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week. Start date: 08/16/2026. Application deadline: 10/27/2025.

Overview

The Library and Information Science profession is evolving rapidly, and future information professionals will need expertise in data science, machine learning, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The School of Information Science (iSchool) seeks a full‑time tenure‑track faculty member at the rank of Assistant/Associate/Full Professor to advance AI research, teaching, and impact in libraries and information organizations.

Responsibilities

• Establish and continue a strong, ongoing research agenda in AI related to library and information science.
• Teach both face‑to‑face and online graduate courses, with opportunities to teach at the undergraduate level.
• Develop new courses focused on AI, especially AI and libraries.
• Mentor graduate students.

Qualifications

• Required Education & Experience
  • Ph.D. in library and information studies or a related field, with relevant experience consistent with academic policy by the start date (at least 5 years for Associate Professor rank or at least 9 years for Full Professor rank). ABDs will be considered; the Ph.D. must be completed at the time of appointment.
  • Evidence of a focused or established scholarly agenda; assistant professor candidates must demonstrate potential to build a scholarly agenda.
  • Record of research on AI that explores design, practice, and ethical/societal implications of AI.
  • Evidence or potential to develop extramural funding.
  • Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Ability to teach online graduate courses.
  • Ability to advise graduate students at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.

Application Requirements

• Letter of application, including a research statement that emphasizes AI as a core area of focus.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Two sample publications or pieces of scholarly work.
• List of three references (name, phone number, email).
• Three letters of recommendation on letterhead (only for finalists); these may be uploaded during initial application or emailed directly to rachelrolli@sc.edu.

Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Susan Rathbun‑Grubb (Search Committee Chair) at SRATHBUN@mailbox.sc.edu.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination, childbirth, recovery or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law or regulations.