Description

The Department of Computer and Information Science (CIS) at Fordham University invites applications for the Kim B. and Stephen E. Bepler Chair in the Natural and Applied Sciences. This is one of five Bepler Chairs at Fordham, made possible through generous endowments from Kim and Steve Bepler, to recognize scientists of exceptional scholarly impact who inspire interdisciplinary approaches that engage and excite the next generation of scientists.

This newly endowed Chair is a focal point of the University’s strategy to provide thought leadership for Fordham's efforts to develop innovative technologies and intelligence that advance the common good. The successful candidate will be able to cultivate, build, and inspire institutional practices in research and teaching connected to AI applications across the University, the discipline, and broader industries. The Bepler Chair will facilitate inter- and trans-disciplinary research that advances solutions to some of society’s greatest scientific and technological challenges—and does so in ways that promote ethical practices that ultimately benefit individuals, communities, and the health of our planet. Ongoing research in the department includes generative AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, computational finance, collaborations with biology and neuroscience, and partnerships with IBM, Columbia, NYU, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Bronx Zoo/Botanical Gardens. 

The Bepler Chair in the Natural and Applied Sciences includes a tenured appointment in the CIS Department at an appropriate rank, and comes with a reduced teaching load and a research fund supported by the endowment. The Chair holder will be a distinguished researcher and a gifted teacher, and will promote integrated interdisciplinary approaches across the natural and applied sciences and related fields. 

Initial appointment to the Chair is for five years, with the possibility of renewal conditional on continuing scholarly contributions consistent with the terms of the Chair. The expected salary range at the rank of associate is $160,000 to $190,000, and for a full professor is $195,000 to $225,000. 

Requirements

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science or related fields. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong research potential, including the ability to secure external funding, a commitment to excellence in teaching, and effective communication skills. 

Application Instructions

All application materials must be submitted electronically through Interfolio at this link:Bepler Chair Natural and Applied Sciences. Please review the position announcement carefully, including the required qualifications, application materials, and submission deadline.

Applicants should upload all materials identified below.

Cover letter or letter of interest

Curriculum vitae

Research statement

Teaching statement or teaching philosophy

Writing samples or selected publications

Contact References

Please contact Dr. Gary Weiss (gaweiss@fordham.edu ) for inquiries. For fullest consideration, applications should be submitted by November 15th, 2026.