Assistant Professor - Linguistics
 University of Colorado | |
paid time off, tuition assistance
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 United States, Colorado, Boulder | |
 Nov 12, 2026 | |
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Requisition Number: 76021 Location: Boulder, Colorado City Boulder State Colorado Employment Type: Faculty Schedule: Full-Time Date Posted: 11-Nov-2026 Close All
Job Summary The Department of Linguistics at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in Language and Socially Responsible AI. We are looking for a computational linguist whose research integrates models of linguistic structure with computational methods to address real-world societal challenges, while emphasizing social responsibility, ethical innovation, and community impact. Potential research programs include (among others) those that (1) use AI-based language technologies to study language as a window on social phenomena (e.g., discrimination, health disparities, climate-change action), and/or (2) examine harms and risks associated with AI-based language technologies (e.g., issues of fairness, transparency, verifiability, bias, user safety, environmental impact). The successful candidate will have a desire and ability to collaborate across current departmental strengths, working with faculty in computational linguistics, sociocultural linguistics, and other subfields. Applicants specializing in phonetics or phonology of spoken language are particularly welcome, as are candidates working across two or more linguistic subfields. In addition to maintaining an active research program, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate training in linguistics and computational linguistics - to include development of new courses to help students across the social sciences understand and navigate the AI landscape. The teaching load for tenure-track positions is typically three courses per year (combination of graduate and undergraduate courses); additional responsibilities include service on departmental and university committees and advising. PhD must be in hand by the start of the appointment, which will begin August 2027. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Who We Are The Department of Linguistics at the University of Colorado Boulder is a major center of interdisciplinary research in cognitive-functional linguistics, computational linguistics, language documentation, language change, linguistic typology, language acquisition, psycholinguistics and experimental linguistics, and sociocultural linguistics. It offers a range of research programs targeting properties of language across spoken, digital, and embodied modalities. [KH5.1]The Department's orientation is empirical: its approach to the structure and use of language confronts theory with first-hand observations. Analysis of video and audio data, acoustic measurements of speech, computational modeling, statistical analysis, psycholinguistic experimentation, and linguistic and ethnographic fieldwork, in local communities and abroad, all contribute to this enterprise. The Department co-leads the University's interdisciplinary and interdepartmental Center for Computational Language Education and Research (CLEAR), which is the umbrella organization for the Boulder NLP community. We also co-lead an interdisciplinary professional Master's degree in Computational Linguistics, Analytics, Search and Informatics (CLASIC). The department is an internationally recognized center for computational linguistics for low-resource and endangered languages, as well as for sociocultural and interactional linguistics. What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be The successful applicant will maintain an active research agenda, supervise undergraduate and graduate students in independent research, and teach both graduate and undergraduate courses, following departmental expectations. They will also contribute to administrative and service activities, particularly in support of Computational Linguistics programs at the undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels. What We Can Offer Starting salary for this position, within the range of 95-115K, will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Startup funding, a recruitment incentive, and a moving allowance may be available to the successful candidate. There is an active initiative at CU Boulder to strengthen our expertise in the area of AI, Sustainability, and Ethics. Candidates whose profile aligns with the goals of this initiative may be eligible for additional support in the form of additional research funding, dedicated funding for professional development, and the potential for one or two course buyouts to support development of new course offerings. Benefits At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program. Be Statements Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder. What We Require Doctoral degree in Linguistics, Computer Science (with a strong focus on language) or related fields. Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered. Completion of the Ph.D. will be required for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. What You Will Need
What We Would Like You to Have
Special Instructions To apply, please submit the following materials:
During the application process you will be asked to provide contact information for three references who will be asked to provide letters of recommendation as the search progresses (likely in the second round of interviews).
For full consideration, please apply by
December 18
, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
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