Assistant Professor of Computation Archival Science

The School of Information Studies (SIS) in the College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) at Louisiana State University (LSU) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Computational Archival Science, to start in August 2027.

Computational Archival Science (CAS) is an emerging interdisciplinary field that incorporates computational methods into the creation, management, preservation, and use of records and archives. It also brings archival principles such as provenance, authenticity, integrity, and evidentiary value to data, algorithms, and AI systems. We seek a colleague who works in both directions and who will help build LSU's research strength in trustworthy digital information.

SIS invites candidates with demonstrated potential for research and teaching in one or more of the following areas:

• Machine learning, NLP, and generative AI for archival functions such as appraisal, arrangement and description, metadata creation, and access
• Born-digital, government, and large-scale records, including email, web, and social media archives
• Data integrity, authenticity, and provenance of digital records, including trustworthy and secure recordkeeping infrastructures
• Digital preservation, digital forensics, and long-term information infrastructure
• Sensitivity review, privacy, and redaction in records and archives
• AI governance and recordkeeping, including AI systems and their outputs as records
• Collections as data, linked data, knowledge graphs, and computational access to archives
• Human-centered, ethical, and community-centered approaches to automated systems in archives and memory institutions

This is a nine-month position. The teaching load is two courses per semester. Summer research funding and summer teaching may also be available. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• →Research: Conduct scholarly research in Computational Archival Science that leads to publication in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Seek external funding from agencies such as NSF, IMLS, NEH, and defense- and security-related sponsors. Build interdisciplinary partnerships across LSU and with archives, libraries, government agencies, and industry.
• →Teaching: Teach and develop courses in the MLIS program, graduate certificates, and the undergraduate Digital Studies minor. Topics may include archives and records management, digital curation and preservation, and computational and AI methods for information professionals. Contribute to the School's planned growth in undergraduate and graduate programs.
• →Service: Participate actively in service that advances the mission of the School, the College, and the University, and engage with professional communities.
• →Other Duties Assigned

• Ph.D. in Information Science or an allied field by the time of appointment. Allied fields include, but are not limited to, Archival Studies, Library and Information Science, Computer Science, Data Science, Digital Humanities, and Information Systems. Research focus in Computational Archival Science or a closely related area, applying computational methods to records and archives or archival principles to data and AI systems. Demonstrated potential for excellence in research and publication. Ability to teach graduate courses that connect archival concepts with computational methods.

• A research agenda that advances LSU's Defense & Cyber priority, for example, data integrity, authenticity, provenance, secure recordkeeping, or the preservation of government and security-relevant records. Research on human-centered or responsible AI in archives, records, or memory institutions, aligned with CHSE's Human-Centered AI, Information & the Future of Learning and Work area. Evidence of a robust research agenda through a publication record and success, or clear potential for success, in obtaining external research funding. Hands-on technical expertise, such as machine learning, NLP, digital forensics, or scalable data pipelines, paired with grounding in archival theory and practice. Experience in interdisciplinary research and in partnerships with archives, libraries, museums, government agencies, or industry. Experience teaching in-person and/or online asynchronous courses, and the ability to teach both archival and computational courses.

This position advances LSU's research priorities and CHSE's strategic direction. The successful candidate will be expected to build these priorities through research, teaching, and partnerships.

LSU invests in five research areas to meet Louisiana's greatest needs: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Coast & Environment, Defense & Cyber, and Energy. Trustworthy records are a foundation of national security and cybersecurity. This position contributes to Defense & Cyber through research on data integrity, authenticity, and provenance of digital records, secure and resilient information infrastructure, and the long-term preservation of government and institutional records. It also supports LSU's broader AI and data agenda.

The position anchors this strategic area in SIS, the fastest-growing school in the College by enrollment. We welcome research that keeps people, communities, and institutional missions at the center of automated systems. Examples include evaluating AI tools for archival work, governing AI systems and their outputs as records, and preparing information professionals for AI-enabled work.

We especially welcome candidates whose work connects to LSU's other priority areas through records and data. Examples include environmental and coastal records, agricultural and rural community archives, health records, and energy-sector information.

The LSU School of Information Studies (SIS), a member of the iSchools consortium, is a dynamic and growing school within the College of Human Sciences & Education. For over 90 years, SIS has been at the forefront of information studies. Today it is a research-intensive school with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and to addressing complex challenges. Our faculty hold over $2 million in active research grants from agencies including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

SIS is home to over 1,500 graduate students in our nationally recognized, ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. SIS also offers graduate certificates and an undergraduate minor in Digital Studies. Our strategic vision is to expand our research and academic programs, including new undergraduate and doctoral programs, and to grow our faculty in key areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, computational archival science, and health information.

For more information, visit the School of Information Studies.

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.

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.