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CMU-Africa is steadily expanding. Our size and inspirational mission create a sense of camaraderie and excitement within our community. To support this growth and delivery of our mission, CMU-Africa invites applications for the following open positions:

Staff positions

Student Services Officer

CMU-Africa is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented student services officer to enhance student experience through comprehensive support and coordination. This role is central to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with teams across the university including the registrar, health services, and main campus liaisons as well as other campus offices, to ensure student services are well-coordinated and consistently delivered across all programs. As a key member of the student affairs team, you will support students in navigating academic, personal, and administrative matters, contributing to their overall success and well-being. You will also manage sensitive information with discretion and uphold the highest standards of confidentiality. This role requires a collaborative mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to student well-being.

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow

CMU-Africa seeks a postdoctoral research fellow to join the CMU-Africa research ecosystem. This is a dynamic opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will contribute to the CMU-Africa mission by providing essential support by carrying out advanced independent and/or directed research to achieve the objectives of the research project.

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Faculty positions

Teaching-track and research-track faculty positions

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Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for teaching track and research track faculty positions at all levels (i.e., Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor) at its location in Kigali, Rwanda.

CMU-Africa seeks highly qualified candidates with a Ph.D. from leading research universities who have a passion for the digital transformation of Africa and contributing to CMU-Africa’s innovative, interdisciplinary graduate teaching and research. Core faculty will form an interdisciplinary team creating knowledge and innovations of relevance to the acceleration of inclusive digital transformation of Africa. They will also provide the intellectual leadership for knowledge transfer activities such as workshops and meetings in relevant topic areas.

We welcome applicants with interests in the development and application of information and communications technology to address societal challenges in an African setting. Areas of particular interest include artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and privacy, software engineering and development, computer and semiconductor technologies, robotics, IoT, technology policy, and technology entrepreneurship with applications to health, finance, agriculture, energy, and education.

We are seeking both teaching-track and research-track faculty. While these are not tenure-track lines, research and teaching faculty tracks are well-established professional tracks at CMU with renewable, multi-year contracts that go through the same review and promotion process (with different criteria) as tenure-track faculty. Teaching and research faculty are integrated into all CMU-Africa activities, take on leadership positions, and receive significant support to achieve scholarly excellence. They are expected to actively collaborate with other faculty at CMU-Africa, the Pittsburgh campus, and partner African universities in their scholarly activities. The teaching and research track presents long-term career growth opportunities along well-established promotion lines to advance through Assistant, Associate, and full Teaching/Research Professor levels. Both tracks are encouraged to engage in teaching and research. They differ in their focus.

  • Teaching-track faculty are responsible for teaching courses, supervising student research projects, engaging in broader aspects of our educational programs and collaboratively improving our educational offerings. Teaching-track faculty members are also expected to conduct research or engage in other activities that advance them professionally, provided those activities are consistent with the department’s overall mission.
  • Research-track faculty responsibilities include creating, developing, carrying out and managing innovative research programs, particularly in areas of importance to Africa. CMU-Africa research-track positions are fully funded for one year providing a convenient ramp for the research faculty to establish a strong research program and pursue external research funding opportunities. Research-track faculty members supervise graduate students and postdocs (often in collaboration with other CMU faculty, including faculty on the Pittsburgh campus) and are expected to engage in teaching courses.

CMU-Africa faculty in both tracks are expected to work closely with colleagues on the main campus and may visit the main campus for both a short-term and longer-term (e.g., a semester or a year) for establishing and growing collaborative efforts in both teaching and research. Similarly, faculty members on the main campus will have opportunities to come to Kigali to teach and carry out joint research with CMU-Africa faculty.

What is the description of the position?

CMU-Africa seeks highly qualified candidates with a Ph.D. from leading research universities and a passion for the digital transformation of Africa to contribute to CMU-Africa’s innovative, interdisciplinary graduate teaching and research. Core research faculty will form an interdisciplinary team to create knowledge and innovations relevant to accelerating the inclusive digital transformation of Africa. They will also provide intellectual leadership for knowledge transfer activities, such as workshops and meetings on relevant topics.

We welcome applicants with interests in the development and application of information and communications technology to address societal challenges in an African setting. Areas of particular interest include artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and privacy, software engineering and development, computer and semiconductor technologies, robotics, IoT, technology policy, and technology entrepreneurship with applications to health, finance, agriculture, energy, and education.

We are seeking both teaching-track and research-track faculty. While these are not tenure-track lines, research and teaching faculty tracks are well-established professional tracks at CMU with renewable, multi-year contracts that go through the same review and promotion process (with different criteria) as tenure-track faculty. Teaching and research faculty are integrated into all CMU-Africa activities, take on leadership positions, and receive significant support to achieve scholarly excellence. They are expected to actively collaborate with other faculty at CMU-Africa, the Pittsburgh campus, and partner African universities in their scholarly activities. The teaching and research track offers long-term career growth opportunities along well-established promotion lines, advancing through assistant, associate, and full teaching/research professor levels. Both tracks are encouraged to engage in teaching and research. They differ in their focus.


What is the difference between teaching-track and research-track faculty positions?

Teaching-track faculty are responsible for teaching courses, engaging in broader aspects of our educational programs, and collaboratively improving our educational offerings. Teaching-track faculty members are also expected to conduct research, supervise student research projects, or engage in other activities that advance their professional development, provided those activities are consistent with the department's overall mission.

Research-track faculty responsibilities include creating, developing, carrying out, and managing innovative research programs, particularly in areas of importance to Africa. CMU-Africa research-track positions are fully funded for one year, providing a convenient ramp for the research faculty to establish a strong research program and pursue external research funding opportunities. Research-track faculty members supervise graduate students and postdocs (often in collaboration with other CMU faculty, including faculty on the Pittsburgh campus) and are expected to engage in teaching courses.

CMU-Africa faculty in both tracks are expected to work closely with colleagues on the main campus and may visit the main campus for short- and long-term (e.g., a semester or a year) to establish and grow collaborative efforts in both teaching and research. Similarly, faculty members on the main campus will have opportunities to travel to Kigali to teach and conduct joint research with CMU-Africa faculty.


What should be included in my application package?

Your application package should consist of the following:

  1. A cover letter (stating clearly whether you are applying for a teaching-track or a research-track faculty position)
  2. A curriculum vitae
  3. A research statement, typically three to five pages, outlining a compelling short-term and long-term vision for a research program that is aligned with CMU-Africa’s goal of supporting the inclusive digital transformation of Africa and may reference potential collaborators at CMU-Africa, CMU-Pittsburgh, and other higher learning institutions in Africa and beyond
  4. A teaching statement, typically on the order of two pages, outlining both your experience and philosophy, a listing of courses you are interested in teaching, and presenting a longer-term vision for training Africa’s next generation of technology thought leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs
  5. A diversity statement, typically on the order of two pages, outlining how you have contributed to as well as plan to contribute to diversity, inclusion, and equity

Three letters of recommendation should be requested individually through the confidential letter request function in Interfolio. You may wish to send an email to each of your letter writers to alert them that they will receive an automated email from Interfolio requesting that they upload their letter of recommendation (sometimes the automated Interfolio emails are mistaken for spam).

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its community on a range of intellectual and cultural dimensions. Applications from candidates with a demonstrated track record of mentoring and nurturing women and students from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering and information technology are strongly encouraged.

How do I apply?

Applicants must create an Interfolio account and submit their applications through Interfolio.

If you are a new user to Interfolio:

  1. Click "create an account" on the Interfolio login page
    screenshot showing how to set up a new account

  2. Once you have created an account, navigate to the "deliveries" page and click "new delivery" in the upper right-hand corner.

  3. Search by position, keyword, location, or institution name under "find an opportunity."

  4. Select the desired position and click the "start application" button.

You can also view a detailed guide on using Interfolio.

If you are a returning user to Interfolio:

  1. Log in to your account with your email and password, or go to "sign in with Partner Institution" under "other sign-in options." You will be able to sign in with a partner institution if your institution has partnered with Interfolio to provide Single Sign-On.
    screenshot showing users how to sign in

  2. If signing in with a partner institution, please enter the name of the institution where you are currently enrolled or employed, rather than the institution to which you are applying (Carnegie Mellon University).

  3. Navigate to the "deliveries" page and click "new delivery" in the upper right-hand corner.

  4. Search by position, keyword, location, or institution name under "find an opportunity."

  5. Select the desired position and click the "start application" button.

You can also view a detailed guide on using Interfolio.


Adjunct instructors

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CMU-Africa is seeking passionate and experienced adjunct instructors to teach graduate-level courses during the fall 2025 semester (starting August 25, 2025) at our location in Kigali, Rwanda. These are in-person teaching roles with the possibility of renewal for the spring 2026 semester, depending on course availability and mutual interest.

We are looking for individuals with previous teaching experience and/or relevant industry expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Software Engineering
  • Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Computing
  • IT Entrepreneurship

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Carnegie Mellon is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. Consistent with this commitment, Carnegie Mellon will no longer be requiring or considering applicant diversity statements. If you are interested in this position and have not yet submitted a diversity statement, please do not do so. If you have already submitted a diversity statement, please know that any diversity statements submitted by applicants for this opportunity will not be considered in the hiring decision.

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