Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC) is seeking nominations, applications, and expressions of interest for a strategic, collaborative, and forward-looking academic leader to serve as its next President. TTIC is a unique independent computer science graduate academic institution, focused on pursuing fundamental research and education in computer science.
TTIC has had tremendous success in its short history and has become a highly renowned institution for important research and education in its areas of focus, which include computer science theory and algorithms, machine learning, speech and language technologies, computer vision, robotics, and computational biology. TTIC provides a tailored Ph.D. program to the world’s most promising computer scientists and consistently produces cutting-edge research by award-winning faculty and students.
Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago on the University of Chicago campus, its mission is to achieve international impact through world-class research and education in fundamental computer science and information technology. The Institute is distinctive to the American educational scene in its unique combination of graduate education and endowed research.
TTIC was founded by the Toyota Technological Institute in Japan (TTIJ) in collaboration with the University of Chicago under the support of the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and officially opened for operation in September 2003. It has degree granting authority in the State of Illinois and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. TTIC offers a graduate program leading to a doctorate in computer science and is currently focusing primarily on theoretical computer science (algorithms and complexity), machine learning, and AI applications including computational biology, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and speech. TTIC faculty members enjoy a uniquely light teaching load, which helps them focus on their research, and many are highly decorated in their fields. TTIC has only Ph.D. students, so all courses and activities are focused on advanced education and research. As a unique feature of this opportunity, the new president would be encouraged to stay active within their academic discipline and may continue their current work on a limited basis as a researcher while serving as president. The Institute is financially stable and is supported by the earnings on an endowment of approximately $275 million as well as by federal and corporate grants for which faculty competitively apply.
Reporting to TTIC’s Board of Trustees, the president is the Institute’s chief executive officer and is responsible for the oversight and operation of the Institute. The president also works closely with TTIC’s Chief Academic Officer, who is responsible for the Institute’s academic and research activities. TTIC’s Chief Academic Officer combines roles of a traditional university’s department head and provost, whereas the president combines roles of a traditional dean and president. The next president will also oversee completion of the 2022-2027 strategic plan and together with TTIC’s Chief Academic Officer and faculty will develop a new plan for the next era of TTIC’s development. The president will lead a tenure-track faculty of 13, 13 research assistant professors (a 3-year limited-term faculty position, supported by TTIC’s endowment and unique to TTIC), several post-doctoral researchers, a highly motivated staff of 13, and a student body of approximately 40 PhD students. The new president will be charged with increasing awareness of the Institute and growing its reputation, while enhancing and strengthening partnerships with the University of Chicago and TTIJ, as well as with other universities, scientific institutions, and local and global industry. There are abundant opportunities as part of the growing Chicagoland strength around AI to explore and develop new research partnerships with industry, academia, and national research laboratories such as Argonne National Laboratory, and the new president should make this a priority. The next president will be a leader with a Ph.D. in computer science or related field and a history of successful management and proven leadership within a highly productive research environment. The successful candidate must have the willingness and ability to serve as the Institute’s principal public representative, possess a future-focused and entrepreneurial spirit, and have the innate desire and ability to develop external partnerships to benefit faculty and students and advance TTIC’s impact.
A comprehensive leadership profile can be found here.
WittKieffer is assisting TTIC in this search. Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. For full consideration, candidate application materials should be received by February 21, 2025. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Applications, inquiries, and nominations can be directed to Suzanne Teer, Jeff Compher, and Julia Bradley at TTICPresident@wittkieffer.com.
The compensation range for this position is $400,000-$475,000. TTIC offers comprehensive and competitive benefits, including dependent tuition benefits.
In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC) considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to TTIC programs on the basis of individual merit.
In accordance with federal, state, and local law, TTIC does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other protected status under the law, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. TTIC prohibits discrimination based on legally protected status with respect to all employment-related decisions, educational and admissions policies, personnel actions, and academic actions. For additional information regarding TTIC’s policies on discrimination and harassment, please see:
Discrimination, Harassment, and Abusive Behavior Policy
Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Pregnancy Modifications Policy
TTIC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions and personnel actions will be made and carried out without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. TTIC will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, and of employees’ religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. TTIC prohibits discrimination, including sex discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Amy Minick, at aminick@ttic.edu. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://ttic.edu/notice-of-non-discrimination/.
