Nazarbayev University (NU), located in Astana, the vibrant capital of Kazakhstan, is an innovative, Western-style, English-medium institution founded with the support of leading partner universities worldwide. Currently ranked among the top 401-500 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, NU prides itself on academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and a merit-based system.

In response to Kazakhstan's strategic economic transition and the presidential declaration of 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, NU launched the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI).

SCAI is a newly consolidated, non-departmentalized school that merges the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Robotics Engineering, and the Department of Mathematics to remove traditional academic silos. This creates a deeply synergistic ecosystem where mathematical rigor accelerates algorithmic innovation and applied computing.

SCAI invites applications from exceptional scholars at the Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor ranks to join our rapidly expanding international faculty. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in high-impact areas, including Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, Cybersecurity, Statistics, Physical AI, Computational Finance, and "AI for X" (interdisciplinary applications in health, mining, natural sciences, public policy, and business), as well as fundamental domains such as theoretical computing and software engineering.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate (Professional Master's, Research Master's, and PhD) courses in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Robotics, and Applied Mathematics.

• Engaging in high-quality research, targeting publication in Top 10% journals and top-tier conferences.

• Securing and managing globally and nationally competitive external research grants.

• Supervising MS and PhD students and mentoring early-career faculty.

• Fostering robust partnerships with domestic and international industry leaders, contributing to deep-tech entrepreneurship, patent generation, and the incubation of startups.

• Collaborating across NU schools to bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready solutions.

ESSENTIAL

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Operations Research, or a closely related discipline from a globally respected university.

• For Assistant Professors: A strong trajectory of scholarly publications in Q1 Scopus-indexed journals or top-tier conferences, and clear potential for securing research funding and delivering high-quality teaching.

• For Associate/Full Professors: An internationally established research reputation underpinned by a robust publication record, significant success in obtaining competitive external research grants, and proven academic leadership.

• Experience in teaching and mentoring at the university level, with a commitment to innovative curriculum design and pedagogical excellence.

• Previous experience in the supervision and timely completion of Master's and Doctoral students (required for senior ranks).

• Strong communication skills and fluency in English (the medium of instruction and research).

DESIRABLE

• Demonstrated experience in deep-tech entrepreneurship, intellectual property generation (patents), or startup incubation.

• Experience conducting applied research in large-scale supercomputing environments.

• Proven capacity to assume leadership roles in research clusters, academic program innovation, and internationalization efforts.

Conditions of Employment:
Initial appointment is on a 3-year renewable contract and will be subject to annual performance reviews. Subsequent appointments can be 5-year/3-year renewable. An attractive remuneration package includes:

• Internationally competitive salary;

• Generous research time, research seed grants, and selected conference travel funding;

• Holiday leave of 56 days per annum;

• Two flights for the appointee and dependents to their home country per annum;

• International health insurance;

• Rent-free housing on or near campus for the appointee and dependents;

• Assistance for relocation expenses, including airfares for the appointee and dependents, and child education allowance.

Application Procedure
Candidates should submit the following documents in electronic form (MS Word or PDF file) no later than September 30, 2026:

1. Cover Letter: Specify the rank you are applying for. Explain your interest in joining SCAI at NU and align your qualifications with the high-impact areas mentioned above. Keep it concise (1-2 pages).

2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae: Include contact information, education, professional appointments, teaching/supervision experience, leadership roles, research grants, publications (highlighting top-tier conferences and Q1 journals), patents, and startups.

3. Teaching Statement:  A brief document (1-2 pages) describing your teaching philosophy, pedagogical approaches, experience with curriculum design, and commitment to student mentoring.

4. Research Statement: Summarize your research agenda for the next 3–5 years, highlighting past outputs, ongoing collaborations, and alignment with SCAI priorities (1-2 pages).

5. Reference Letters: Names and contact details of three academic/professional referees.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Nazarbayev University is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

For any inquiries related to the application, the strategic vision of the School, or specific posts, please contact the Dean of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), Prof. Atakan Varol, at [email protected].