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The Division of Computer Science and Engineering (www.cse.lsu.edu) at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Reinforcement Learning (RL). We are especially interested in researchers making fundamental contributions to deep RL as it pertains to foundation models. LSU is Louisiana's flagship public land-grant R1 research university and is investing substantially in advanced computing and artificial intelligence. CSE faculty maintain a vigorous research enterprise with millions of dollars in externally funded research from federal, state, and industry sponsors, publish in prestigious peer-reviewed venues, and mentor M.S. and Ph.D. researchers. The Division has had two NSF CAREER Award recipients in 2026 alone, reflecting its strong momentum and commitment to early-career faculty success. Fifteen specialized research laboratories support research across AI, cybersecurity, computing systems, and emerging technologies. Collaborative opportunities span electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, science, healthcare, and LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business, as well as the Center for Computation and Technology. LSU High-Performance Computing offers advanced computational and storage resources, and the Division also encourages research translation, startup activity, and industry partnerships.

This is an especially exciting time for AI at LSU. In Fall 2026, LSU launched Louisiana's first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, expanding education in machine learning, reinforcement learning, autonomous systems, foundation models, AI security, and responsible AI. A newly developed Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, created with LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business, is awaiting approval and has not yet launched. Together with existing M.S. and Ph.D. programs, these efforts support a growing research, teaching, and workforce-development ecosystem, including statewide AI literacy initiatives and interdisciplinary industry-engaged projects. The Division's ABET-accredited computer science program and nationally recognized cybersecurity program—designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations—provide additional strength. CSE offers undergraduate concentrations in cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing and networking, and data science and analytics. New faculty can help shape AI coursework, research directions, and graduate training at a time of increasing enrollment and research activity.

Hiring Priority: We seek advances in the foundations, algorithms, and engineering of deep reinforcement learning with particular emphasis on work impacting foundation models and agentic systems. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Deep, model-based, model-free, offline, online, and hierarchical reinforcement learning algorithms
• Scalable and efficient RL for foundation model training
• Training algorithms and methods for agentic reasoning in foundation models
• Sequential decision-making, long-horizon planning, search, and world models
• Multi-agent reinforcement learning, cooperation, competition, communication, and coordination
• Reinforcement learning from human or AI feedback, preference learning, and alignment
• Imitation learning, inverse RL, learning from demonstration, and interactive learning
• Exploration, sample efficiency, generalization, transfer, meta-learning, and lifelong learning
• Safe, secure, robust, verifiable, and interpretable agentic and learning systems
• RL for embodied intelligence, robotics, learning-based control, and sim-to-real adaptation
• Use-inspired research pertaining to RL for foundation models in high-impact domains

Responsibilities: Establish a vigorous, independent, externally funded research program; publish original research in leading AI, ML, and computing venues; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in agentic AI, reinforcement learning, or related subjects; recruit and supervise M.S. and Ph.D. students; mentor undergraduates; help develop advanced AI courses; and contribute to interdisciplinary research and appropriate service. We value scholars who develop new theories, algorithms, architectures, and evaluation methods, while engaging students in and outside the classroom.

50% Teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels in areas of candidate's specialization in the field of computer science. Supervise teaching/research assistants and advising students. Maintain professional standards and

level of competence.

50% Establish a vigorous, externally funded research program; publish in highly ranked journals and conference proceedings; supervise graduate students. Participate in University service, including committee activities.

Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field by the appointment date; scholarly contributions or demonstrated potential for independent research; strong potential to attract external funding; and ability to teach and mentor students effectively. Applicants who are all but dissertation (A.B.D.) are welcome if they complete their doctorate by the start of appointment.

 An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check and RS:17 screening.

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Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

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LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

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