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Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Complex Systems. The Center for Complex Systems (the Center) is a leading research center within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, dedicated to advancing the understanding of complex systems. Our members work on cutting-edge projects that span various domains including biology, neuroscience, medicine, physics, mathematics, psychology, philosophy, engineering, and social sciences. The Center is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research and is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration to solve some of the most challenging problems in science, technology, and society.

The Center was established in 1985 and has a robust legacy as a research and graduate instructional center. The overarching mission of the Center is to understand how complex phenomena, both natural and artificial, arise from the interaction of multiple components acting at many scales – an enterprise that transcends and eludes traditional disciplines.  Using the concepts of complexity science, the Center’s mission is to address problems that confront society at all levels by developing and implementing quantitative methods and tools (e.g. computational modeling, non-linear dynamical systems, AI and machine/deep learning, etc.) to analyze empirical data from multiple sources. Two key synergistic initiatives are central to the Center’s vision - one emphasizing the pedagogical value of the complexity science perspective and the other nurturing research collaborations among faculty.  To achieve these goals, faculty who are members of the Center are drawn from across the University’s colleges and departments and maintain collaborations, not only internally at FAU, but also with nationally and internationally renowned research institutions.  Faculty members of the Center have access to doctoral programs in many disciplines within the University, such as the PhD in Neurosciences (Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience Track), Integrative Biology, Experimental Psychology, Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering.  In addition, Center faculty have been instrumental in the development of an open resource lab – the Gruber AI Sandbox – that acts as a nexus for AI research at FAU by incorporating existing faculty research directions and encouraging students and faculty to participate in research focused on the interactions and co-development of human and machine learning.

Position Overview:

The Director will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Center, overseeing research and instructional activities and fostering a collaborative environment that promotes excellence in complex systems research and instruction throughout the College and the University.  The successful candidate will ideally conduct research on the emergent behavior and theoretical/computational modeling of complex systems. This role involves developing theoretical frameworks, designing experiments, and utilizing computational tools to analyze and interpret data. A strong background in complex systems theory, mathematical modeling, computational methods and/or AI is desirable, alongside a motivation for applying complex systems approaches to a range of real-world problems in science, engineering and medicine. The director position will be an appointment at the (senior) associate or full professor level with tenure in one of the academic departments of the Schmidt College of Science and will serve as a member of the dean’s leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Center for Complex SystemsOversee and coordinate interdisciplinary research projects within the CenterFoster a collaborative and inclusive research environmentProvide administrative oversight and serve as a member of the Gruber AI Sandbox Advisory CommitteeSecure funding through grants, partnerships, and other sources to support the Center’s activitiesRepresent the Center at national and international conferences, workshops, and meetingsDevelop and maintain relationships with academic, industry and government partners to promote strategic research collaborationsMentor and support the professional development of faculty, researchers and studentsEnsure the dissemination of research findings through publications, presentations and other channelsManage the Center’s budget and resources effectively

The Center for Complex Systems at Florida Atlantic University seeks scholars who are committed to supporting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and to thoughtfully engaging all communities in higher education. Florida Atlantic University embodies a culture of strategic and collaborative community engagement that results in mutual benefit to the institution and the various internal and external communities that it serves.

Informal inquiries can be directed to Search Committee Chair, Nancy Jones, Ph.D. (njones@fau.edu).

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in biology, neuroscience, physics, mathematics, psychology or a related field
• Extensive experience in complex systems research and a strong publication record
• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding
• Proven leadership experience in an academic or research setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and management skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in leading large, interdisciplinary research projects
• Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in complex systems research
• Established network of contacts within the academic, industry and government sectors
• Experience with high-performance computing and data analysis tools

Salary:

To be discussed with applicant

College or Department:

College of Science

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Full - Time

Application Deadline:

2024-12-01

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.

This position is subject to funding.

All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website (https://fau.edu/jobs) by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.

Required Documents:
FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.

The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. When completing the online application, please upload the following: (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) contact information for three references including email addresses and phone numbers.

Transcripts:
The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.

Background Screening:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

As a Hispanic-serving institution, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse institutions in the Florida state university system. We are committed to recruiting and retaining talented faculty and staff. We embrace our shared responsibility to create and celebrate a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all. Our community features excellent schools, a vibrant and safe community, and a sub-tropical climate conductive to year-round outdoor activities.

Accommodations:
Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711